Dorset steals the limelight in the 2015 film adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd.
With popular locations such as West Bay, Sherborne and Forde Abbey making appearances, Dorset’s rustic landscape provided the perfect setting for the film.
The great love story follows Bathsheba Everdene (played by Carey Mulligan) and her three suitors, Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge) and William Boldwood (Michael Sheen).
As Dorset was a great inspiration to Thomas Hardy, the location plays a starring role in this dramatic adaptation. And with the success of the film across the UK, we looked into exactly where in Dorset the film was made.
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Forde Abbey
The Great Hall in Forde Abbey doubles as the Corn Exchange in the film, where Bathsheba and William first meet. This impressive former monastery and its gardens, nominated for the Historic Houses 'Garden of the Year' award 2019, make for a great day out, too. The history of the Abbey goes back 900 years and much of it has been preserved to resemble how it would have looked in the 12th century when the Cistercian monks walked amongst its interiors.
Stay nearby: Scrumpy Cottage - Somerset | Sleeps 4
Sherborne
Of all the Far from the Madding Crowd filming locations, Sherborne was arguably used the most. During filming, Sherborne Abbey, Sherborne Castle, Castleton Church, St John’s Almshouse and Abbey Close were all included. The streets were transformed into an 1870s market square set in Casterbridge. It's hardly surprising, considering the beauty the town contains. The high street itself is overseen by the romantic ruins of the castle and none other than Capability Brown designed the gardens where Sir Walter Raleigh ended up staying.
Stay nearby: The Piggery - Staffords Green | Sleeps 6 + 3 dogs
The 17th-century manor house of Mapperton and its surrounding area were used as Everdene Farm in the film. With its impressive structure and unspoiled views, it’s no wonder why they chose to film here. Often recognised as the nation's finest manor house, Mapperton is home to the Earl and Countess of Sandwich and boasts a fine sandstone structure and a dreamy valley garden hidden deep in a Dorset combe. Lose yourself in the formal topiary gardens, the orangery or the arboretum.
Stay nearby: The Dairy At Wanderwell | Sleeps 2
West Bay
Dorset's spectacular Jurassic Coast features prominently in the film. The spectacular cliffs of West Bay, made famous by the series Broadchurch, were used for the dramatic scene in which Gabriel Oak’s sheep are driven over the cliff. The majestic sandstone cliffs draw tourists in from miles around, and with Bridport and Chesil Beach close by, it really is a haven for visitors wanting to explore this great part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Visit the funfair in the summer months, hire a rowing boat or just grab your bucket and spade and enjoy some quality beach time.
Stay nearby: West Bay Harbour View | Sleeps 2 + 2 dogs
The remote location and stunning interiors at Claydon House were used to represent William Boldwood’s home. The 18th-century mansion was a well-known Far from the Madding Crowd location and was showcased in the scene of William’s Christmas party. The lavish interiors are amongst the most extravagant ever attempted in the 18th century and you can go inside this National Trust property and make yourselves comfortable on the furniture: there are no velvet ropes here. The conservation team want visitors to be able to experience life just as our 18th-century predecessors would have.
Stay nearby: Clearbrook Barn | Sleeps 2 + 3 dogs
Eype
Scenes of Gabriel’s hut by the sea are filmed on the cliffs at Eype. The area’s dramatic landscape can be spotted in various scenes, including Gabriel running after his sheep. The name of this pretty West Dorset village means 'steep hill' and it's easy to see why when you consider that it boasts the highest cliff on the south coast at a staggering 191m above sea level. With traditional thatched cottages dotted all around and a beautiful sand/gravel beach backed by the Golden Cap, Eype regularly draws in visitors from far and wide.
Stay nearby: Beach Retreat - Eype | Sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
But wasn’t there a 1967 version of Far from the Madding Crowd?
Yes, you’re correct, there was. John Schlesinger’s 60s new wave classic starred Julie Christie, Peter Finch and Alan Bates and was Oscar-nominated in 1968. Here, we take a look at some of the filming locations from the timeless original.
Puddletown
The fictional setting of Weatherbury was based on the village of Puddletown, just 5 miles from Dorchester. Nestling in the Piddle Valley and lying by the River Piddle, it actually used to be called Piddletown until, due to connotations that you can probably guess, the residents decided to change its name.
Stay nearby: The Beeches – Milborne St Andrew | Sleeps 12 + 2 dogs
Durdle Door
The powerful scene where the rogue sheepdog drives Gabriel’s sheep off the cliff was, in 1967, filmed at the cliffs of Scratchy Bottom, just west of iconic Durdle Door. Today, this part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site is one of the most photographed in Dorset, its famous stone arch instantly recognisable.
Stay nearby: The Cove Retreat | Sleeps 6 + 2 dogs
Shaftesbury
Moving slightly out of Dorset into Wiltshire, we head to Shaftesbury which showcases one of the most iconic locations from Far from the Madding Crowd, if not in all of British TV. When Gabriel arrives looking for work in ‘Casterbridge’, he toils up a steep, cobbled street known as Gold Hill. This recognisable street was used in the seminal British TV adverts for Hovis bread spanning decades from 1973 to 2019.
Stay nearby: Barn Cottage At East Hill | Sleeps 2 + 2 dogs
Devizes
Staying in Wiltshire, Devizes is where the hiring fair took place, with The Bear Hotel in the background, which is still going strong to this day. Also in this location is St John’s Church, which doubled as ‘All Saints’ and was the church where the muddled Fanny got it all wrong and missed her own wedding.
Stay nearby: The Equestria Barn | Sleeps 2 + 3 dogs
Weymouth
After becoming frustrated with Fanny and ultimately dismissing her, Sergeant Troy decides to meet up with Bathsheba on the seafront at Weymouth, where the two make the sudden decision to get married. Hopefully, Bathsheba will find the correct church so as to not irritate Troy a second time!
Stay nearby: Seascape Weymouth | Sleeps 4
Why not spend a little longer in this beautiful county? Find your perfect getaway by taking a look at our cottages in Dorset here.
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