Nicola Fifield enjoys a stay in rural Dorset which offers the best of both worlds – fine countryside and dramatic coastline.

THOMAS Hardy fans know it better as Sherton Abbas – and visitors to the real-life Sherborne are unlikely to be disappointed.

With its striking 15th century-abbey, a huge variety of independent shops, some tempting tearooms and even two castles, there couldn’t be a better town in which to enjoy an amble.

Nestled in green valleys and wooded hills, the picturesque market town is steeped in history and offers the perfect base to explore Hardy’s Dorset.

The internationally renowned poet and novelist spent most of his life in Dorset and the majority of locations in his stories can be found here.

Not far from Sherborne is Cerne Abbas, a quaint village known in Hardy’s novels as Abbot’s Cernel.

An ancient tithe barn here was Hardy’s inspiration for the great barn that features in Far From The Madding Crowd, while some of the filming for ITV’s production of Tess Of The d’Urbevilles took place in the village.

A mysterious 180-foot giant carved into chalk on the hill-side outside Cerne Abbas is well worth a visit, as is the village’s ruined abbey.

Another Mecca for Hardy fans is the village of Higher Bockhampton, where it is possible to take a look inside the woodland cottage where the famous author was born.

His great grandfather built the cottage and little has been changed since the family left. Hardy lived there for most of his first 22 years and it was here that he wrote his first five novels.

But there’s no better way to immerse yourself in Hardy’s Dorset than by putting on your hiking boots and stepping out into the countryside.

Here in North Yorkshire, it’s difficult to imagine another county where walkers are so spoilt for choice – but west Dorset comes close to beating it.

I’ve mentioned the rolling countryside, wooded hills and beautiful river valleys, but the county also has a spectacular coastline.

The dramatic Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site renowned for its fossil hunting, bustling harbours and gorgeous beaches.

It’s not difficult to fall in love with the breathtaking view at Durdle Door, where a natural limestone arch protrudes from the sea, and the natural horseshoe-shaped Lulworth Cove is equally stunning. Both are less than an hour’s drive from Sherborne.

Just a little bit further away is the traditional seaside resort of Lyme Regis, where a narrow maze of streets winds its way down to the harbour and sandy beach.

Eating fish and chips on the famous Cobb while watching the sun set is a must – and I defy anyone to come away from Lyme Regis without at least one fossil in their pocket.

A five-and-a-half-hour drive from North Yorkshire might seem like the other end of the world, but the magnificent Dorset countryside that awaits you is definitely worth the journey.


Fact file - Dorset

Nicola stayed at Glebe House, a new bed and breakfast in the hamlet of Folke near Sherborne run by her parents, David and Barbara Fifield.

The former rectory boasts magnificent views across the Dorset countryside and has been awarded a four-star silver rating by Visit England.

Bed and breakfast in one of Glebe House’s double/twin en-suite rooms costs £80 for one night or £70 for two or more nights. For longer stays, visitors might choose to stay in the adjoining self-catering holiday flat for two, called Little Glebe. Prices start from £250 per week in the low season.

For more information or to book, phone 01963 210337 or 07980 864033. Alternatively, email glebe.house@hotmail.com or log on to glebehouse-dorset.co.uk