top of page
Hardy Image.jpeg

Events, Walks, Tours & Study Days

The Thomas Hardy Society invites you to visit the home town of our beloved author to celebrate his life and work through lectures, walks, entertainment and spending time with fellow Hardyans. Everyone is given a warm welcome at THS Events - we look forward to meeting you.

Upcoming Events

  • The 27th International Thomas Hardy Conference & Festival
    The 27th International Thomas Hardy Conference & Festival
    Sat 25 Jul
    The Dorford Centre
    25 Jul 2026, 12:00 – 01 Aug 2026, 12:00
    The Dorford Centre, Dorchester Baptist Church 2 Bridport Rd, Dorchester DT1 1RR, UK
    "Thomas Hardy Week" at the THS 2026 Biennial Conference
  • Roman Casterbridge
    Roman Casterbridge
    Sat 25 Jul
    The Dorford Centre
    25 Jul 2026, 13:30 – 15:30
    The Dorford Centre, Dorchester Baptist Church 2 Bridport Rd, Dorchester DT1 1RR, UK
    Conference Ticket Holders Only
  • Writers' Workshop with the Bards of Dorchester and Dorset
    Writers' Workshop with the Bards of Dorchester and Dorset
    Sat 25 Jul
    The Casterbridge Room, The King's Arms,
    25 Jul 2026, 16:00 – 18:00
    The Casterbridge Room, The King's Arms,, 49 High E St, Dorchester DT1 1HU, UK
    Inspired by Hardy: Writing Place, Memory and Voice
  • Hardy's Women: Double Bill
    Hardy's Women: Double Bill
    Sat 25 Jul
    The Duchess of Cornwall
    25 Jul 2026, 20:00 – 22:00
    The Duchess of Cornwall, 12 Queen Mother Square, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3DD
    A Talk by Paula Byrne followed by a performance by Caroline Butler & Dave Townsend of the Mellstock Band (Included with a Full Conference Ticket)
  • Visit Oxford - Hardy's Christminster
    Visit Oxford - Hardy's Christminster
    Sun 26 Jul
    Top o' Town Coach and Car Parking
    26 Jul 2026, 08:30 – 18:30
    Top o' Town Coach and Car Parking, Poundbury Rd, Dorchester DT1 1XT, UK
    Exploring Jude the Obscure – Marygreen and Christminster
  • Wey Valley Walk
    Wey Valley Walk
    Sun 26 Jul
    Dray Horse Statue
    26 Jul 2026, 10:15 – 13:15
    Dray Horse Statue, Dray Horse Yard, Brewery Sq, Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester DT1, UK
    Explore the Wey Valley on Foot
  • Hardy & Clothing Workshop
    Hardy & Clothing Workshop
    Sun 26 Jul
    The Casterbridge Room, The King's Arms,
    26 Jul 2026, 16:00 – 17:00
    The Casterbridge Room, The King's Arms,, 49 High E St, Dorchester DT1 1HU, UK
    Rural Working-Class Clothing and Change in Victorian England
  • The Trumpet Major Tour
    The Trumpet Major Tour
    Mon 27 Jul
    Top o' Town Coach and Car Park
    27 Jul 2026, 13:30 – 17:30
    Top o' Town Coach and Car Park, Bridport Rd, Dorchester DT1 1XT, UK
    Visit scenes from Hardy's historical novel
  • The Purbeck Way to Lulworth Cove
    The Purbeck Way to Lulworth Cove
    Mon 27 Jul
    Lulworth Cove Heritage Centre (outside)
    27 Jul 2026, 13:30 – 16:30
    Lulworth Cove Heritage Centre (outside), Main Rd, West Lulworth, Wareham BH20 5RQ
    A Circular Walk from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door
  • The Hardy Archive
    The Hardy Archive
    Mon 27 Jul
    Dorset History Centre
    27 Jul 2026, 15:00 – 16:30
    Dorset History Centre, Bridport Rd, Dorchester DT1 1RP, UK
    Explore the largest collection of Hardy resources in the world
  • The Smugglers Inn at Osmington Mills
    The Smugglers Inn at Osmington Mills
    Mon 27 Jul
    The Smugglers Inn
    27 Jul 2026, 17:15 – 18:15
    The Smugglers Inn, Osmington Mills, Weymouth DT3 6HF, UK
    Optional Dinner Reservation
  • The Trumpet Major at Poxwell Manor
    The Trumpet Major at Poxwell Manor
    Mon 27 Jul
    Poxwell Manor
    27 Jul 2026, 19:00 – 21:00
    Poxwell Manor, Poxwell, Dorchester DT2 8ND, UK
    Recreating scenes at Oxwell Hall with music, dance and performance
  • Hardy's Dorset Gallery Tour
    Hardy's Dorset Gallery Tour
    Tue 28 Jul
    Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
    28 Jul 2026, 13:30 – 16:00
    Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, High W St, Dorchester DT1 1XA, UK
    Showcasing the life and works of Thomas Hardy
  • Hardy & Archaeology
    Hardy & Archaeology
    Tue 28 Jul
    Top o' Town Coach and Car Park
    28 Jul 2026, 13:30 – 16:00
    Top o' Town Coach and Car Park, Bridport Rd, Dorchester DT1 1XT, UK
    A Talk with a View followed by a Dorset Cream Tea
  • The Mayor of Casterbridge Walk
    The Mayor of Casterbridge Walk
    Tue 28 Jul
    Outside Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
    28 Jul 2026, 15:00 – 16:30
    Outside Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, High W St, Dorchester DT1 1XA, UK
    A walking tour of Hardy's novel set in Victorian Dorchester
  • A Casterbridge Quiz & Buffet
    A Casterbridge Quiz & Buffet
    Tue 28 Jul
    The Old Tea House
    28 Jul 2026, 19:00 – 21:00
    The Old Tea House, 44 High W St, Dorchester DT1 1UT, UK
    How much do you know about Thomas Hardy and Wessex?
  • The Fiddler of the Reels
    The Fiddler of the Reels
    Wed 29 Jul
    Top o' Town Coach and Car Park
    29 Jul 2026, 13:30 – 16:30
    Top o' Town Coach and Car Park, Bridport Rd, Dorchester DT1 1XT, UK
    A Musical Walk, led by Dr Tony Fincham Accompanied by fiddlers, Ruth Thompson & Cath McMillan
  • Wolfeton House Walk
    Wolfeton House Walk
    Wed 29 Jul
    Thomas Hardy Statue
    29 Jul 2026, 13:30 – 16:30
    Thomas Hardy Statue, Dorchester DT1 1UT, UK
    Exploring Wessex Valleys and Ancient Settlements

About Us

The Thomas Hardy Society is an educational charity supported solely by volunteers. The Society is based in Dorchester where the Council of Management meets six times a year.

Contact Us

Mark Chutter, Chairman and Academic Director

info@hardysociety.org

The Thomas Hardy Society

c/o Kingston Maurward College

Dorchester

Dorset DT2 8PY

© 2024 The Thomas Hardy Society all rights reserved

No part of this website may be copied or otherwise reproduced without the express permission of the copyright owner(s)

Website by Cirrus Design Studio Ltd

bottom of page