Thomas Hardy, author of classic novels that include "Far From the Madding Crowd," "Jude the Obscure," and "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," was inspired to write from his Georgian mansion with Dorset views of Buckland Newton Place.
The Grade II listed home that features seven bedrooms and five bathrooms is listed in the market for £3.25million. The property sits next to the Church of the Holy Rood which is mentioned in his 1887 novel, "The Woodlanders."
The house with red bricks was built at around early 18th century and was expanded by 1850. It sits on a nine acres sloping lawn with a small lake, paddocks and lovely views of the countryside.
"Hardy country is renowned as being beautiful rolling Dorset countryside and that's what this property offers. The modern houses are beginning to overtake period homes, but when you have a particular gem like Buckland Newton Place it stands out from all the others," said Ed Sugden of estate agents Savills, according to Mail Online. "We know that because of the number of people who are interested, it's attracting a lot of attention."
The Buckland Newton Place is described by architecture scholar Nikolaus Pevsner as "characterful" featuring wood paneling, decorative plasterwork, sash windows, original fireplaces and flagstone floors. It also has a three-bedroom cottage which has a garage, stables and stores and is an ideal place to host guests and accommodate staffs, Mirror UK reported.
Currently, it was restored by the owners through an extensive 18-month renovation. The owner have lived in the house for over ten years but have decided to sell the property. The location of the Georgian-style home overlooks to the church and the land.
The settings of his novel are in Wessex that Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset, Devon, and much of Berkshire. His eleventh novel, "The Woodlanders" was set in a woodland village of Little Hintock which is about the love triangle of Grace Melbury, Giles Winterbourne and Edred Fitzpiers. In the novel, it was mentioned that the character Fitzpiers heard the clock of Newland Buckton church strike twelve.