NT Max Gate

19/01/2022

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Caring for three literary houses, coast and countryside in North and West Dorset.

21/10/2021

Due to essential maintenance work Max Gate will be closed on Friday 22nd October. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.
National Trust South West

23/07/2021

We can't wait to welcome you this summer. This week we have followed the Government guidance, lifting social distancing rules and other Covid restrictions at Max Gate.
The safety of visitors, staff and volunteers remains our top priority. Although we're no longer required to wear a face covering, we welcome anyone who wishes to wear one and we'll continue to provide hand sanitiser and stick to our high standards of cleanliness. Thanks for your support and for showing kindness and respect as we move into this next phase together.

24/04/2021

Blossoms are unfurling in the gardens at Max Gate – a sure sign that spring has well and truly arrived! Take a moment to connect with nature and enjoy blossoms in bloom near you - you can share your blossom photos using

01/04/2020

Since closing the doors to Max Gate we have had one persistent visitor. A little long tailed tit who wants to remind us that spring has sprung.

Let us know what signs of spring you can see out of your window.

12/03/2020

Did you know that the daffodil was one of Thomas Hardy’s favourite flowers?

The sunny yellow flowers leading to Max Gate are also a wonderful sign that spring has sprung. At this time of year the garden that inspired Hardy really comes into it’s own.

29/02/2020

'The Lady in the Furs ' by Thomas Hardy

" I'm a lofty lovely woman,"
Says the lady in the furs,
In the glance she throws around her
On the poorer dames and sirs:
" This robe, that cost three figures,
Yes, is mine," her nod avers.

" True, my money did not buy it,
But my husband's, from the trade;
And they, they only got it
From things feeble and afraid
By murdering them in ambush
With a cunning engine's aid.

" True, my hands, too, did not shape it
To the pretty cut you see,
But the hands of midnight workers
Who are strangers quite to me:
It was fitted, too, by dressers
Ranged around me toilsomely.

" But I am a lovely lady,
Though sneerers say I shine
By robbing Nature's children
Of apparel not mine,
And that I am but a broom-stick,
Like a scarecrow's wooden spine."

1925

08/02/2020

Max Gate will be closed on Sunday 9th Feb due to the high winds from Storm Ciara and the risk of falling trees and branches. Hardy's Cottage will be closed for the same reason. Apologies for any inconvenience.