I am putting together my book club's trip for June 2013. After several days ( Days 1, 2) in Bath, we want to do the following.

Day 3- explore Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton, Woodsford Castle
Day 4- Lyme Regis for the day
Day 5- Max Gate, Athelhampton House, Clouds Hill
Then we head to Chawton and points north on the morning of Day 6.

My questions are:
Is there a central location that we should stay for those nights so we don't have to move hotels each night? Maybe Dorset? somewhere else?
Does that sound like a reasonable time frame to explore those areas or too much or too little?
How are driving distances and times between each day?

I am struggling with where to stay for that section of our trip. We are looking for mostly B and B's but will look at hotels too of course. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi

Dorchester would be a good central location to visit these places. There is certainly no need to stay somewhere different each night. Both Shaftesbury and Lyme Regis are approx 30 miles away from Dorchester.

Woodsford Castle - do you mean the one just outside Dorchester? I have been unable to find any opening times for this. If its just a drive by you eant to do I would move it to day 5 as its close (3 miles) from Maxgate and could be viewed as a detour on your way to Clouds Hill.

As you are on a book club tour I would recommend Dorchester museum as they have a section devoted to Dorset authors.

Maxgate is well worth a visit - a lot of improvements have been made there in recent years. You may also want to consider Hardy's birthplace at Higher Bockhampton.

Please check opening times though as for example Athelhampton House is closed Friday and Saturday.

Sorry this answer is a bit rushed - I know the area well and have loads of ideas but I am just off on a 2 day break.

Woodsford Castle is managed by the Landmark Trust as self-catering accommodation, so you could possibly stay there. You can check availability at www.landmarktrust.org.uk. They still have availability for June 2012.

Landmark Properties are not cheap, and facilities may not be lavish, but it would be a great experience. Thomas Hardy's father worked on the building 150 years ago. There is a lot of information about Woodsford on the Landmark Trust website.

All the other places you mention should be within an hour's drive of Dorchester.

Thanks for the replies. Dorchester has some lovely looking B and B's so I will start there. We will check out the museum in Dorechester too. We are trying to cover all the Hardy sights, lots of Austen and of course, John Fowles in Lyme Regis.
Megdorset- when you return from break, I would love to hear any other thoughts you have for that area.
chartley- will check into Woodsford Castle further- thanks!

My favorite hotel n the world is locted right outside Sturminster Newton. We have stayed there several times and had no problems exploring the whole of Dorset. It has been in the same family for 300 years and they know the area and can be a great help. Check out Plumber Manor .They have a wonderful restaurant so you can relax with some wines after a full days touristing and not have to worry about drving in the dark!!

Here is the website


http://www.plumbermanor.co.uk/

If you want a different stay, stunning views and an insight into the smuggling traditions I would chose to stay in the village of Lulworth. It is just up from Lulworth Bay (an almost fully enclosed bay. The Lobsters are cheapish but the noise of the water in the sea is to die for.

http://www.jurassiccoast.com/277/the...t-bay-364.html

If you go to Dorchester, apart from the prison museum you may be interested in finding the medal stamped into the street which celebrates the Cathlics or the Protestants who were taken from here to die in the Tower of London.

You will also find three statues 1) King Alfred 2) Hardy and 3) William Barnes (one of my ancestors) who wrote in the local dialect.

Chartley!
What have you done!!!!!!!
Now I am hooked on that site!
You gave me such a grand idea!
I want to stay at in landmark homes for next trip.


Ohhhhh, I am so doomed, now I will be planning like crazy.

Thank you for the link!!!!!!!

Good choice of county for lovers of literature, and I would agree that Dorchester would make a good base. If you want to check out the places to visit on the wonderful Dorset coast, see here http://postcards-pfte.blogspot.com/search/label/Dorset