Thorncombe Woods

Under the Greenwood Tree

Walk in the footsteps of Thomas Hardy, We will explore the woods around his birthplace in Thorncombe Woods. You will be able to imagine the scene 150 years ago when Dick Dewey and Fancy Day courted in this wonderful corner of Dorset Just 5 miles from Dorchester.

Thorncombe Woods is a long standing nature area owned by Dorset County Council wonderful beech woodland ringing dramatic chalk swallet pits. . The remains of a pine wood planted at the end of the 2nd World War adjoins the area and there is a romantic tree lined pond and a roman road close by. In Autumn the colour of the beech leaves and the dying bracken should be superb

Hardy used much of the area for a later novel The Return of the Native. The walk is circular around 3 miles in length the paths are good there are some steep sections it is not really suitable for wheelchairs . It would be possible to gain limited disabled access to parts of the wood. There are opportunities to both shorten and lengthen the walk.. Sturdy fo0tware is recommended paths may be muddy.