Georgian property which inspired Thomas Hardy’s Under the Greenwood Tree on the market for £500,000


A charming four-bedroom home that features in a famous Thomas Hardy novel has been put on the market for £500,000.

Grade II listed Stinsford House, in the idyllic village of Stinsford, Dorset, is referenced in the writer’s 1872 novel ‘Under The Greenwood Tree’.

The tree in the courtyard of the house is thought to be the one the writer referenced in his romantic tale, with Hardy very attached both to the property and the village, which is on the outskirts of the market town of Dorchester.

Now a four bed property, which is being sold with estate agent Symonds & Sampson and is one of nine that comprise the stunning mansion, is on the market. 

Stinsford House, in the idyllic village of Stinsford, Dorset, is referenced in Thomas Hardy's 1872 novel 'Under The Greenwood Tree'

Stinsford House, in the idyllic village of Stinsford, Dorset, is referenced in Thomas Hardy’s 1872 novel ‘Under The Greenwood Tree’

A four bedroom property, which is one of nine in the Grade II listed mansion, is now on the market for £500,000 with estate agent Symonds & Sampson

A four bedroom property, which is one of nine in the Grade II listed mansion, is now on the market for £500,000 with estate agent Symonds & Sampson

A four bedroom property, which is one of nine in the Grade II listed mansion, is now on the market for £500,000 with estate agent Symonds & Sampson

It is believed that the tree in the courtyard of Stinford House is the one Hardy wrote about in the romantic tale, which was turned into an ITV production in 2005

It is believed that the tree in the courtyard of Stinford House is the one Hardy wrote about in the romantic tale, which was turned into an ITV production in 2005

It is believed that the tree in the courtyard of Stinford House is the one Hardy wrote about in the romantic tale, which was turned into an ITV production in 2005

Hardy was very attached to the property and to the idyllic village of Stinsford, which is on the outskirts of the market town of Dorchester

Hardy was very attached to the property and to the idyllic village of Stinsford, which is on the outskirts of the market town of Dorchester

Hardy was very attached to the property and to the idyllic village of Stinsford, which is on the outskirts of the market town of Dorchester

Hardy was baptised at St Michael's Church in the village and his church group is thought to have performed at the 17th century property every Christmas Eve

Hardy was baptised at St Michael's Church in the village and his church group is thought to have performed at the 17th century property every Christmas Eve

Hardy was baptised at St Michael’s Church in the village and his church group is thought to have performed at the 17th century property every Christmas Eve

It has four bedrooms, two of which are en-suite, as well as a reception room, a kitchen/breakfast room and a small private garden.

Stinsford is passed through by the River Frome and Dorchester is a 20 minute walk away through water meadows and woodland. 

Hardy was baptised at St Michael’s Church in Stinsford and his church group is thought to have performed at the 17th century property every Christmas Eve.

Following his death in 1928, his second wife fulfilled Hardy’s request for his heart to be buried at St Michael’s Church, while his ashes were interred at ‘Poets Corner’ in Westminster Abbey.

The 15th century mansion which formerly accommodated the aristocracy now comprises nine separate residences. 

Stinsford House’s proximity to St Michael’s suggests the property was initially a rectory.

From the mid-18th century until about 100 years ago it was owned by the Earl of Ilchester.

The property on sale has four bedrooms, two of which are en-suite, as well as a reception room, a kitchen/breakfast room and a small private garden

The property on sale has four bedrooms, two of which are en-suite, as well as a reception room, a kitchen/breakfast room and a small private garden

The property on sale has four bedrooms, two of which are en-suite, as well as a reception room, a kitchen/breakfast room and a small private garden

Following Hardy's death in 1928, his second wife fulfilled his request for his heart to be buried at St Michael's Church in the nearby village, while his ashes were interred at 'Poets Corner' in Westminster Abbey

Following Hardy's death in 1928, his second wife fulfilled his request for his heart to be buried at St Michael's Church in the nearby village, while his ashes were interred at 'Poets Corner' in Westminster Abbey

Following Hardy’s death in 1928, his second wife fulfilled his request for his heart to be buried at St Michael’s Church in the nearby village, while his ashes were interred at ‘Poets Corner’ in Westminster Abbey

The vendor, who has owned the property since 2003, said: 'Living in Stinsford House is a unique experience, with the delights of a Georgian stone terrace with wonderful views and walks directly from the house, treading the same paths that Thomas Hardy had taken all those years earlier'

The vendor, who has owned the property since 2003, said: 'Living in Stinsford House is a unique experience, with the delights of a Georgian stone terrace with wonderful views and walks directly from the house, treading the same paths that Thomas Hardy had taken all those years earlier'

The vendor, who has owned the property since 2003, said: ‘Living in Stinsford House is a unique experience, with the delights of a Georgian stone terrace with wonderful views and walks directly from the house, treading the same paths that Thomas Hardy had taken all those years earlier’

A Symonds and Sampson spokesperson said: 'The village is steeped in history, as Thomas Hardy regularly attended St Michael's Church where he was baptised'

A Symonds and Sampson spokesperson said: 'The village is steeped in history, as Thomas Hardy regularly attended St Michael's Church where he was baptised'

A Symonds and Sampson spokesperson said: ‘The village is steeped in history, as Thomas Hardy regularly attended St Michael’s Church where he was baptised’

The estate agent added: 'Hardy was also a frequent visitor to Stinsford House, a property he was enormously fond of and where it is believed that the church music group to which he belonged performed every Christmas Eve'

The estate agent added: 'Hardy was also a frequent visitor to Stinsford House, a property he was enormously fond of and where it is believed that the church music group to which he belonged performed every Christmas Eve'

The estate agent added: ‘Hardy was also a frequent visitor to Stinsford House, a property he was enormously fond of and where it is believed that the church music group to which he belonged performed every Christmas Eve’

Under The Greenwood Tree, inspired by Stinsford House, was Hardy's second published novel and the last one to be done so anonymously

Under The Greenwood Tree, inspired by Stinsford House, was Hardy's second published novel and the last one to be done so anonymously

Under The Greenwood Tree, inspired by Stinsford House, was Hardy’s second published novel and the last one to be done so anonymously

For around 20 years until the mid 1980s the estate was used as a school for boys with behavioural problems, before in 1997 it entered private ownership and was converted into residential accommodation.

The vendor who has owned the property since 2003, said: ‘Living in Stinsford House is a unique experience, with the delights of a Georgian stone terrace with wonderful views and walks directly from the house, treading the same paths that Thomas Hardy had taken all those years earlier.

‘There is a real romance in the building and grounds and yet the conversion has every benefit of modern living and comforts.’

A Symonds and Sampson spokesperson said: ‘The village is steeped in history, as Thomas Hardy regularly attended St Michael’s Church where he was baptised.

The property on sale is one of nine that comprise the mansion, which formally was used as accommodation for the aristocracy

The property on sale is one of nine that comprise the mansion, which formally was used as accommodation for the aristocracy

The property on sale is one of nine that comprise the mansion, which formally was used as accommodation for the aristocracy

The estate agent said: 'Hardy was also a frequent visitor to Stinsford House, a property he was enormously fond of and where it is believed that the church music group to which he belonged performed every Christmas Eve'

The estate agent said: 'Hardy was also a frequent visitor to Stinsford House, a property he was enormously fond of and where it is believed that the church music group to which he belonged performed every Christmas Eve'

The estate agent said: ‘Hardy was also a frequent visitor to Stinsford House, a property he was enormously fond of and where it is believed that the church music group to which he belonged performed every Christmas Eve’

Stinsford House's proximity to St Michael's suggests the property was initially a rectory. From the mid-18th century until about 100 years ago it was owned by the Earl of Ilchester

Stinsford House's proximity to St Michael's suggests the property was initially a rectory. From the mid-18th century until about 100 years ago it was owned by the Earl of Ilchester

Stinsford House’s proximity to St Michael’s suggests the property was initially a rectory. From the mid-18th century until about 100 years ago it was owned by the Earl of Ilchester

The light, airy four bedroom property is situated in the stunning grounds of Stinsford House and is a short distance from St Michael's Church

The light, airy four bedroom property is situated in the stunning grounds of Stinsford House and is a short distance from St Michael's Church

The light, airy four bedroom property is situated in the stunning grounds of Stinsford House and is a short distance from St Michael’s Church

For around 20 years until the mid 1980s the estate was used as a school for boys with behavioural problems, before in 1997 it entered private ownership and was converted into residential accommodation

For around 20 years until the mid 1980s the estate was used as a school for boys with behavioural problems, before in 1997 it entered private ownership and was converted into residential accommodation

For around 20 years until the mid 1980s the estate was used as a school for boys with behavioural problems, before in 1997 it entered private ownership and was converted into residential accommodation

Hardy was very attached to the village of Stinsford, where the mansion can be found, which is on the outskirts of the market town of Dorchester

Hardy was very attached to the village of Stinsford, where the mansion can be found, which is on the outskirts of the market town of Dorchester

Hardy was very attached to the village of Stinsford, where the mansion can be found, which is on the outskirts of the market town of Dorchester

Symonds and Sampson added: 'The house features in his 1872 novel 'Under the Greenwood Tree' and it is believed the tree in the courtyard today is the 'Greenwood' tree he writes of'

Symonds and Sampson added: 'The house features in his 1872 novel 'Under the Greenwood Tree' and it is believed the tree in the courtyard today is the 'Greenwood' tree he writes of'

Symonds and Sampson added: ‘The house features in his 1872 novel ‘Under the Greenwood Tree’ and it is believed the tree in the courtyard today is the ‘Greenwood’ tree he writes of’

The estate agent summed up: 'This unique property is truly versatile - it would suit a romanticist or historian drawn by the link to Dorset's most famous poet, a family or a couple, and as a full-time residence or second home'

The estate agent summed up: 'This unique property is truly versatile - it would suit a romanticist or historian drawn by the link to Dorset's most famous poet, a family or a couple, and as a full-time residence or second home'

The estate agent summed up: ‘This unique property is truly versatile – it would suit a romanticist or historian drawn by the link to Dorset’s most famous poet, a family or a couple, and as a full-time residence or second home’

‘Hardy was also a frequent visitor to Stinsford House, a property he was enormously fond of and where it is believed that the church music group to which he belonged performed every Christmas Eve.

‘The house features in his 1872 novel ‘Under the Greenwood Tree’ and it is believed the tree in the courtyard today is the ‘Greenwood’ tree he writes of.

‘This unique property is truly versatile – it would suit a romanticist or historian drawn by the link to Dorset’s most famous poet, a family or a couple, and as a full-time residence or second home.’

Under The Greenwood Tree was Hardy’s second published novel and the last one to be done so anonymously.

It tells the story of a group of church musicians, including one who becomes romantically involved with the village’s new schoolmistress.

The novel was adapted into an ITV production starring Keeley Hawes and James Murray in 2005.

The Grade II listed building is approached through grand stone pillars leading onto a gravel driveway, where a small set of steps ascend to the entrance

The Grade II listed building is approached through grand stone pillars leading onto a gravel driveway, where a small set of steps ascend to the entrance

The Grade II listed building is approached through grand stone pillars leading onto a gravel driveway, where a small set of steps ascend to the entrance

The stunning Georgian property also has extensive communal gardens that lead towards St Michael's Church, which Hardy was very attached to

The stunning Georgian property also has extensive communal gardens that lead towards St Michael's Church, which Hardy was very attached to

The stunning Georgian property also has extensive communal gardens that lead towards St Michael’s Church, which Hardy was very attached to

The luscious communal gardens can be accessed by the owners of all nine homes which make up the stunning mansion

The luscious communal gardens can be accessed by the owners of all nine homes which make up the stunning mansion

The luscious communal gardens can be accessed by the owners of all nine homes which make up the stunning mansion