Students from Bath Spa University have teamed up with staff at Max Gate to provide a half-term week of fun activities for all ages.

From Saturday, May 25 to Sunday, June 2, the Dorchester home and garden of poet and author Thomas Hardy will be thrown open.

The students, who are working on history and English degrees, are also working with volunteers from the Thomas Hardy Society and members of the New Hardy Players to make sure the week is a resounding success.

Dominic Pollard, who is part of the student team leading the week, said: “Part of our course work was to visit a National Trust property and set up a week of activities.

“Our tutor suggested Max Gate because there would be a lot of public interest in the site over half term from the local community and also from visitors.

“There are a number of activities already taking place there but we thought it would be good to introduce some new ideas.”

Jen Davies, the National Trust’s visitors’ services manager at Max Gate, said: “We have been building links with Bath Spa for some time and are absolutely thrilled with what the students have come up with. They are so enthusiastic and have come up with some really creative ideas.”

Dance students from Bath Spa will also be at Max Gate during half term week recreating the life of Emma Hardy, the author’s wife, through modern dance with two performances on the Friday.

The activities planned for the week include:

  • Design your own house drawing activity which encourages children to create their dream home, just as Thomas Hardy did when his father and brother helped him build his.
  • Poetry room where visitors can use the facilities available in the study to create their own poetry.
  • A Maypole dancing area where music will be played.
  • A period ‘dress-up’ station where visitors can dress like the characters from Hardy's novels.
  • Dance performances will be going throughout the week, performed by university students in and outside the house.
  • Three fantastically designed trails that will lead visitors on an exploratory path around the house and garden which will also include challenges, riddles and rich information about the writer’s home and life. These are suitable for all ages, and are superbly popular with young visitors, a great way to keep the kids entertained during the half-term break.

Events with set dates and times include:

  • A gardening workshop will be held on the Wednesday by the friendly gardener who will be there to answer any general questions about gardening plus giving visitors the chance to plant seeds and flowers.
  • The Hardy Players will be performing scenes from famous books.
  • Hardy Interpreted will be held on May 30 and will include dance performances, live music, readings and more.

Wine and nibbles will be available at this event and there will be the launch of the Capture Wessex photography competition, aimed at photographers aged between 16 and 24, which will run throughout the summer.