The Blackmore Vale is one of the most unspoilt places in England. It stretches across North Dorset and is the countryside that inspired Thomas Hardy and features as the Vale of the Little Dairies in his novels. In the village of Marnhull the Blackmore Vale Inn is a beautiful 16th century pub that is also a character from Thomas Hardy's novels. This is the illicit drinking den that features as  ‘Rollivers’ in “Tess of the D’Urbervilles”. Hardy portrays it as a disreputable and illegal drinking house, where secret ale drinking groups gathered upstairs.  

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These days The Blackmore Vale Inn is a wonderful welcoming family run pub and is the perfect example of what a country pub should be like.

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