Max Gate

Max Gate is the elegant Victorian villa designed by Thomas Hardy as his family home in 1885, where he lived for over 40 years and wrote his greatest novels including ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ and ‘Jude the Obscure’. This fascinating house reflects Hardy’s personality, architectural interests, and literary success. Visitors can explore the rooms where Hardy entertained literary visitors, wrote his final novels, and composed much of his poetry. The house contains Hardy’s personal possessions, furniture, first editions, manuscripts, and memorabilia. Hardy designed the house’s innovative features including early central heating. The intimate study where he worked overlooks the garden he planted and nurtured. The Arts and Crafts influenced interior and garden demonstrate Hardy’s aesthetic sensibilities. National Trust interpretation explores Hardy’s complex personality, literary achievements, marriages, and later life. Max Gate offers deeper understanding of Hardy than his birthplace cottage, showing him as established, successful, yet increasingly disillusioned writer. Essential visiting for Hardy enthusiasts.