ur worldwide headquarters, Casterbridge Hall, is situated in the West of England, a short distance from the town of Dorchester (Hardy's Casterbridge) and at the very heart of Thomas Hardy's Wessex. With this particularly literary location and the title of 'Casterbridge Tours,' you will appreciate that itineraries with a literary emphasis have long been a speciality of our organisation.

ENTER THE WORLD OF BRITAIN'S GREATEST WRITERS...
Experience first hand the landscapes and sights that influenced their creations. You can stroll the streets of Shakespeare's Stratford and hear his words interpreted anew by the Royal Shakespeare Company. As you wander the moors that so affected the imaginations of the Brontės and visit the lonely parsonage at Haworth where they wrote their novels, you cannot fail to get a deeper insight into their writings. When you explore the gentle countryside of Thomas Hardy's Wessex and discover the thatched cottage where the poet and novelist was born, you will appreciate the influence of, and affinity Hardy had for his surroundings. For scenic grandeur on a literary tour, nothing compares with the majestic peaks and fells of the Lake District that inspired the poetry of Wordsworth and Coleridge. You can follow in the footsteps of Chaucer's pilgrims to Canterbury, explore the London of Charles Dickens and enjoy the decorous elegance of Jane Austen's Bath. Indeed the options are endless.

FOLLOW THEMATIC AND CHRONOLOGICAL DAYS...
Your tour will always be structured in a way that allows maximum educational benefit for group members. In order to create the most coherent itinerary possible to enhance learning and eliminate confusion for group members, we aim to provide thematic and chronologically arranged content to each tour. This might not only mean a day dedicated to Austen, Chaucer, Dickens, Hardy or Shakespeare, but ideally a day that begins at the birthplace and ends at the grave or follows the evolution from the earlier to later works. Your Casterbridge and local guides will ensure that there is always an appropriate balance between literary aspirations and general sightseeing.

DISCOVER LITERARY IRELAND......
We also operate Literary Tours in Ireland where Irish men and women have made a significant contribution to English Literature through poetry, novels and drama. If you visit Ireland on a Literary Tour, you will discover for yourself that the places where Ireland's writers dwelt, wrote and dreamt still have the power to inspire.

Casterbridge is a Tour Operator that is serious about the educational and cultural benefits of its programmes and we suggest you call 1-800-522-2398 or Register now to obtain a copy of our publication, 'Literary Programmes Abroad.'