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A Taste of Hardy's Wessex

The verdant scenery of Cranborne Chase
 
This self-guided walking holiday, with luggage transported, offers idyllic Downs scenery and high-quality accommodation. Amble through the rounded hills, ancient woodland and charming villages that inspired Thomas Hardy, then indulge in excellent dinners of fresh local produce.
Price from
£750pp
A Taste of Hardy's Wessex. 4 nights
Price from
£750pp
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
A Taste of Hardy's Wessex. 4 nights
Price from
£750pp
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in Dorset

King John and Henry VIII used to hunt on Cranborne Chase, but that’s probably not the reason that you may recognise the chalk landscapes either side of the Dorset-Wiltshire border. If the rounded green hills, high-hedged lanes, ancient woodland, chalk escarpments and thatched villages do seem familiar, it’s more likely to be because this is scenery that inspired Hardy and formed the backdrop to novels such as Tess of the d’Urbervilles.
Our short walking break, designed with the help of Margaret Marande, champion of Britain’s first literature-related long-distance path, follows parts of The Hardy Way across these seductive landscapes. Whether you have read the great novelist’s works or not, walking in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) brings a feeling of wellbeing that matches that of the sheep munching contentedly on the lush carpet of grass – topped off by the atmospheric inns of character at which you stay.
 
Gallery

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on almost any day of the week, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    You should always be prepared for wet weather, whichever month you are travelling.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 7 7 10 13 16 19 21 21 18 15 10 8
    mm 77 53 62 45 56 52 41 57 62 68 73 83
  • Arrival in Cranborne
    Night 1: at La Fosse (where you spend one night).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Choice of routes from Cranborne to Farnham: 17.5km-19km (11-12 miles)

    Cranborne to Farnham: 17.5km (11 miles), 6hrs; ascent 175m/descent 150m
    Setting off from Cranborne, you follow The Hardy Way up to Pentridge Hill, a good vantage point, and past charmingly named Sixpenny Handley. You then walk along the border between Dorset and Wiltshire, following an aptly named trail through Chase Woods called Shire Rack. Keep your eyes peeled for fallow deer, tree creepers and nut hatches, and listen out for woodpeckers and nightingales. The final leg leads south to Farnham and your next base, the Museum Inn.

    With optional detour via Penbury Knoll: 19km (12 miles), 6.5hrs; ascent 180m/descent 160m
    We also offer a slightly longer version of the above walk, which follows the same route but includes an ascent of Penbury Knoll.
    Cranborne to Farnham: 17.5km
    With detour via Penbury Knoll: 19km
  • Choice of routes from Farnham: 9km-12.5km (5.5-7.5 miles)

    Circular route via Larmer Tree: 9km (5.5 miles), 3hrs; ascent/descent 90m
    The Larmer Tree Gardens, created in the 1880s by General Pitt-Rivers, the father of modern archaeology, make an enjoyable day out on foot from Farnham. The gardens (pay locally) were created as a “pleasure grounds for public enlightenment and entertainment”, and feature manicured lawns, ponds, mature woodland, a bandstand and stone pavilions. Thomas Hardy visited in 1895 and described them as "Quite the prettiest sight I ever saw in my life".

    Alternative circular route: 12.5km (7.5 miles), 4hrs; ascent/descent 160m
    On days when the gardens are closed (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and for events – see the Larmer Tree website for up-to-date information), we suggest an alternative walk westwards across gently undulating downs and through the handsome medieval villages of Tarrant Gunville and Chettle.
    Circular route via Larmer Tree: 9km
    Alternative circular route: 12.5km
  • Farnham to Shaftesbury: 16.5km (10 miles), 6hrs; ascent 340m/descent 200m
    You’ll find it is easy to imagine yourself in the pages of a Hardy novel as you cross remote valleys patrolled by buzzards. The highlight is the view from Win Green, at 277 metres the highest point in the Chase, from where you can see for some 80 miles as far as the Isle of Wight. It is referenced in Tess of the d’Urbervilles, as is your target, Shaftesbury (or Shaston, as Hardy called it), where you spend your last night at La Fleur de Lys. With a reasonably prompt start, you can spend some time pottering around Shaftesbury on arrival (we provide notes for an hour-long town trail), taking in the famous cobbled street of Gold Hill and the fabulous views over Blackmore Vale, so typical of Hardy’s Wessex.
    Farnham to Shaftesbury: 16.5km
    Win Green, Cranborne Chase
 

Accommodation

The inns of character at which you stay are as charming as the scenery that you explore, and are one of the highlights of the holiday.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 4 nights: 01 April 2025 - 30 September 2025

    Start Monday-Thursday | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 30 Apr 2025 £780 £275
    1 May - 26 Sep 2025 £800 £260
    3rd & 4th person discount -£40
    Single traveller supplement £40
    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, and any connecting travel detailed below.

    Easter & other bank holidays: supplements apply over the Easter weekend, as well as the May Day, Whitsun and late summer bank holiday weekends; please contact us for details

    Reservations for September & October can be made from 1 April

    Evening meals: upgrade to 6-course taster menu at La Fosse, Cranborne: add £28pp.
    Restaurant closed at La Fleur de Lys, Shaftesbury on Sundays all year round (deduct £48pp).
    The restaurant at La Fosse is also closed Sundays plus 1st & 2nd April (deduct£50pp).

    Included travel: transfer Shaftesbury-Cranborne to collect car OR Shaftesbury-Gillingham railway station

    Please note: dogs are not permitted on Inntravel holidays

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Museum Inn, Farnham
    'Feature': 01 Apr - 30 Sep 2025 £14
    'With View': 01 Apr - 30 Sep 2025 £25
  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - via Gillingham station

    Outward route
    not recommended in this direction
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Gillingham station (0h20) included flexible

    Connecting travel options - via Salisbury station

    Outward route Price per person Latest
    arrival time
    taxi Salisbury station to hotel (0h40) £21 flexible
    Homeward route
    not recommended in this direction
What is included
  • 4 nights
  • 2 dinners
    2 picnics
    4 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • transfer back to first accommodation to pick up car
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 12 reviews
  • Anon
    15 July 2024

    Excellent walk encompassing beautiful countryside with Win Hill being a highlight. Beautiful flowers and wildlife. Top grade accomodation and excellent food.

  • Dr R Andrews
    Newark
    19 October 2023

    We greatly enjoyed Hardy's Wessex, picture postcard villages, pleasant walking and some great views. Hotels were either good or excellent

  • Phil & Lesley
    04 October 2023

    Our third holiday with Inntravel, A Taste of Hardy's Wessex (4 nights) was a delight not least because we had perfect early October weather. The walking challenge suited us perfectly, the notes and timings as always accurate and interesting. Special mention for La Fosse in Cranborne for the lovely homely room and great food. We were taken with our own personal toaster on the breakfast table. Not seen that done before but such a good idea (space permitting). Also La Fleur de Lys, the crowning glory, superb in every sense. The best walks were the ones from and to hotels especially the last day into Shaftesbury. 

  • Claire
    15 August 2023

    Thoroughly enjoyable walking trip, made so easy by Inntravel. Everything worked perfectly and it was a joy to stride out across the big open fields of Wessex (confident we were on the right track thanks to the notes!). 

  • Anon
    31 July 2023

    We were lucky enough to dodge most of the rain for the two main walks and enjoyed some superb views. The taxi company was very helpful when we decided to retrieve our car due to torrential rain which prevented us from doing the circular walks around Farnham on the middle day.

    The notes were generally accurate, but possibly need to be checked again. Some of the sections highlighted as more difficult to navigate actually proved quite easy. Some of the stiles on the last day are now in need of maintenance and the last stretch into Farnham on the first day was rather unpleasant - we wished we had stayed on the road!  The pub at Ludwell was closed when we arrived at 1.45 on a Thursday, but we did find a very welcome bench not long after the school (just before leaving the village). 

  • Louise and Juliet, Bedfordshire
    05 June 2023

    This trip exceeded our expectations. From initial contact with Inntravel to the pre-booked taxi back to our car, we were impressed by everything. We really enjoyed the literary details relating to Hardy's novels and poems, plus the additional local history. The accommodation was perfect. So wonderful to end in Shaftesbury at the outstanding La Fleur de Lys, where the food was exquisite fine dining, and service impeccable. La Fosse and The Museum Inn were excellent, and so comfortable and wonderful staff. The landscape was beautiful in early June, with so many wild flowers. We had glorious weather, and were pleased we had packed extra water, sun hats and cooling towels. The walks were well described and exactly as long as stated. The last days climb towards Shaftesbury was a challenge, not very gentle as it was a long hike, but mainly because it was a very warm day. We did find some shady trees along the route. Overall we had a fabulous break and were very happy with everything. Definitely recommend.

     

  • Mark , Welwyn Garden City
    05 June 2023

    This was an excellent walking break for persons of moderate walking ability. The route was went through beautiful countryside and the accommodation and food was of a high standard. The GPS maps supplied were very useful,  backed up by an OS map of the area.

  • Mr P Cuthbert
    Leeds
    15 May 2023

    This was a lovely mid level walk made all the more pleasurable by the great weather we had for all 3 days. The final dinner was a special treat and reward! The view from Win Green was stunning. Make sure to take time for the Shaftesbury town trail too.

  • Anon
    03 October 2022

    Our highlight? The views from Win Green

  • Sheila, Guernsey
    21 September 2022

    Everything is so well organised by Inntravel, you can relax and enjoy the walking knowing you have a warm welcome at the end of the day

  • Mr A Coombs
    Somerset
    29 August 2022

    It was a real adventure which we thoroughly enjoyed. The historical notes as we walked were particularly interesting.

  • Mr R Hunt
    Chelmsford
    01 August 2022

    This trip was an experiment to see if we liked this style of holiday. Everything was faultless apart from the first night's restaurant service in The Museum. Everybody enjoyed themselves and we will be looking to book again, probably abroad.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • Yes, absolutely. Over the years, we have arranged a great many holidays in the UK for customers living in the USA, Canada, Australia and beyond.

    If you've never travelled with us before, it's worth reading the web pages which explain how we can cater for customers who live outside the UK. The main thing to bear in mind is that our tour operator's licence doesn't allow us to book flights that originate outside the UK, and nor are we able to book rail travel in the UK, so we can't make travel arrangements for you, other than pre-arranging taxis between the local railway station and the accommodation – see the ‘prices & travel’ section for the options available.

    For practical information about travelling to the UK, see the 'what do I need to know about travelling to England, Scotland and Wales?' question.
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
  • Unfortunately not. The Inntravel team includes many dog owners, but the extra considerations – such as whether taxi firms accept dogs for transfers to the start of walks, whether routes cross private land on which dogs are not allowed, and proximity to a vet’s – would add another layer of complexity to what are already quite complex holidays.
  • As a minimum, you will need a passport to enter the UK; requirements vary according to your nationality. It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. You’ll need to check requirements on the website of your own country’s government or that of the British government. Our essential travel information page provides links to websites where you can find out about the applicable requirements, along with general official travel advice.
     
    English is the most widely spoken of several official languages; in Wales, for example, Welsh has equal status. The currency is the British pound (Scotland issues its own bank notes, but Bank of England notes can be used in Scotland and vice versa). The UK follows Greenwich Mean Time during autumn and winter, but switches to British Summer Time (GMT + 1) from late March until late October.
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