HOUSE HOSTED LITERARY STARS
Most people haven’t heard of William Barnes, a colourful Dorset academic and poet born in 1801. But if you’re into poetry then you’ll know his friends.
Barnes worked for the Church of England and lived in a large rectory where a litany of famous names passed through, including poets who were drawn to his eccentric personality and creative gifts.
Most famously this included Tess of the d’Urbervilles novelist Thomas Hardy, who Barnes met while the two trained as architects. They became lifelong friends, despite the 40-year age gap between them.
Others drawn to the charismatic Barnes included a string of the mid-19th century’s literati including Alfred Lord Tennyson. Even after Barnes’ death, the property still attracted writing talent.
Old Came Rectory was rented by First World War poet Siegfried Sassoon during the 1920s to which he invited fellow war poet Edmund Blunden and T.E. Lawrence – better known as Lawrence of Arabia – for visits. The five-bedroom property is two miles outside Dorchester and was built in 1804. The remains of the original basket maker’s cottage it replaced are to be found in the basement.
It has lime rendered walls, a thatched roof and flagstone floors but has undergone a substantial renovation by the current owner, who has also been helping a local historian write a book about the property.
It is for sale at £1.35 million. For more information contact Jackson Stop-Staff on 01305 262123.