Thomas Hardy statue, Dorchester

Thomas Hardy sits permanently, wearing a slightly gloomy expression and with his hat and a book on his lap, on a tree stump at Top o’ Town where four roads meet. On the plinth are inscribed simply his name and dates, 1840-1928.

 The great novelist and poet is inextricably linked with Dorset and especially with Dorchester, called ‘Casterbridge’ in his books. His birthplace and childhood home was a couple of miles away, and for his last 45 years he lived at Max Gate, on the outskirts of the town.

 The statue was by Eric Kennington, one of the leading sculptors of the time. It was unveiled in 1931 by Hardy’s good friend, J M Barrie, the author of Peter Pan.

 Nearest postcode: DT1 1UT
OS reference: SY689907
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