Dorset, England, a rural area in the southern part of the country, was the backdrop for many of the writings of Thomas Hardy. Many of his novels, including "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" and "Far From the Maddening Crowd," are set in the area, where the author was also born and lived much of his life.
Because of the author’s roots in the area, many homes claim an affiliation to Hardy. But at Hilfield Manor, the connection is genuine.
"Any of the principal houses in the area will often claim a connection to the writer, but in this case it’s fairly well chronicled," said James McKillop, a partner at Knight Frank, the British real estate agency.
Hilfield Manor, a seven-bedroom, three-bathroom home set on more than 14 acres of land, was relisted in September at £2.35 million (US$3.1 million). Located in the village of Hermitage, it had originally been priced at £2.65 million.
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The home was built as an octagonal hunting lodge in 1880 by the Dampiers, a well-known family in the area. It was expanded in 1901 by T.W. Dampier-Bide, according to the listing, and Hardy was known to be a guest of the family.
A photo of the author with his wife, Florence, probably taken in the 1920s, still exists, according to an article in The Sun. Hardy based the town of Little Hintock on Hermitage in the novel "The Woodlanders," the article said.
Hilfield Manor has had only three owners over the years, Mr. McKillop said. The current owners, Nick Tims, the managing director at London-based Investec Asset Management, and his wife, Rachel, "did an amazing job refurbishing and restoring" the home, he said.
"It has a slightly contemporary feel and design in the interior, which contrasts perfectly with the fairly traditional and historic facade," he said.
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The home has been designed with family needs in mind, Mr. McKillop said, from the "perfectly proportioned" reception rooms for intimate evenings to the larger areas where the whole family can gather. The modern kitchen has a breakfast nook and is adjacent to a more formal dining room.
Upstairs, the master suite is generously appointed with a bathroom with a double vanity and soaking tub that looks out over the lawns and gardens of the property, according to the listing. A study (or additional bedroom) on the third floor opens up onto a roof area with panoramic views of the grounds and surrounding countryside.
"The landscape is so pretty, very unspoiled," Mr. McKillop said. "It’s a such a peaceful location, which is very rare."
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In addition to the main house, the property also includes a coach house—or a "party barn," as Mr. McKillop called it—and a lodge. The coach house has plenty of space for entertaining, plus a games room, yoga studio, and a two-bedroom annex with sitting area. The lodge offers an additional three bedrooms, according to the listing .
The coach house and lodge are set away from the main house, allowing for extra privacy, Mr. McKillop said.
The manor benefits from being away from busy roads but is just a short drive from Sherborne, which offers top-notch schools and a train to London, according to Mr. McKillop. The drive to London is about two-and-a-half hours.