Top 10 – Literary Links
1). Thomas Hardy – the 19th century novelist and poet is Dorset’s most famous literary son. Born at Higher Bockhampton, Hardy lived in Dorset for much of his life, its landscape forming the inspiration for his best known works. Many of the settings for his novels, as well as his idyllic thatched cottage birthplace and last home Max Gate (now both owned by the National Trust) can be visited today. There is a 'Hardy Trail' which can be followed by car and takes the visitor on a timeless trail into Hardy's ‘Wessex’.
2). T.E. Lawrence - 'Lawrence of Arabia' was based at Bovington army camp towards the end of his life. His retreat nearby, Cloud's Hill, is now owned by the National Trust and can be visited as well as his grave in nearby Moreton. A 'Lawrence of Arabia' trail is available.
3). Enid Blyton - the famous children’s books writer spent part of every year in the
Purbeck area and many of the places in her books were inspired by locations in Dorset, in paticular the locations in her Famous Five novels. An Enid Blyton trail is available.
4). John Fowles - his famous novel, 'French Lieutenant's Woman', strongly featured both the fossils of the Jurassic Coast and Lyme Regis with its famous Cobb Harbour. Guided John Fowles tours are available in the town.
5). Jane Austen - part of her novel ‘Persuasion’ was set in Lyme Regis. Guided Jane Austen tours are available in the town.
6). Ian McEwan - ‘On Chesil Beach’ was written about a honeymooning couple staying on the famous barrier beach.
7). John Meade Faulkner - the classic novel ‘Moonfleet’ by was based in the Chesil Beach area.
8). Charles Dickens - Dickens found the names Snodgrass and Wardell used in ‘Pickwick Papers’ on memorials at Wimborne Minster.
9). Cecil Day Lewis – the Poet Laureate of 1968 is buried in Stinsford cemetery.
10). Tracy Chevalier - the Girl With a Pearl Earring author has written about the life of Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpott (who put Lyme Regis on the map for fossil hunting) in her book “Remarkable Creatures”.