Take a step back into literary history at Thomas Hardy's Dorchester home, where classics such as Tess of the d'Ubervilles, Jude the Obscure and The Mayor of Casterbridge were written. Now a National Trust property, the house was originally designed by Hardy, who lived there for 43 years until his death in 1928. For a literary day out, combine it with a visit to Hardy's Cottage in nearby Higher Brockham.