Dorchester & Poundbury

Dorchester is Thomas Hardy’s ‘Casterbridge’—the county town of Dorset where the novelist lived and set several famous works. But Dorchester offers an unexpected modern chapter: Poundbury, an experimental new town built on Prince Charles’s architectural principles.

Historic Dorchester: The town’s Roman origins remain visible – walk sections of the Roman walls and visit Maumbury Rings, an ancient amphitheatre. The Dorset Museum houses extraordinary collections including Roman mosaics and comprehensive Thomas Hardy exhibits. Hardy’s statue stands prominently. Max Gate, his purpose-built home, is open to visitors.

Poundbury: The Royal Experiment: Adjacent to historic Dorchester sits Poundbury—Prince Charles’s vision of traditional urbanism applied to new development. Started in 1993, this deliberately rejects modern planning conventions in favour of classical architecture, mixed-use development, and walkable streets. It’s an architectural and planning case study that divides opinion sharply.

The architecture blends Regency, Georgian, and Victorian styles. No car-dominated roads, parking is hidden, streets are pedestrian-friendly. Shops, cafés, homes, and businesses mix throughout. It raises genuine questions about what makes places feel ‘real’ and whether new development can successfully adopt historical language.