Max Gate

Novelist Thomas Hardy designed and built Max Gate, and he lived in the house from 1885 until his death in 1928. It was during his period at Max Gate that Hardy wrote several of his most popular and enduring novels, including Jude the Obscure, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and The Mayor of Casterbridge, in addition to over 900 poems.

Hardy was an architect by training, before turning full time to writing, and he used all his not-inconsiderable skill to create at Max Gate an attractive Victorian villa. The house was originally quite modest in size, but as Hardy's novels began to gain popular acceptance he was able to afford to expand the building. The house is not overly ornate, but this was part of Hardy's intent. Only the dining room and drawing room are open to the public. The spacious drawing room looks out over the intimate gardens. The study where Hardy did much of his writing has been relocated to the Dorset County Museum.