a week (from March to October), allowing access to the hall, drawing room, two studies, the dining room and the kitchen. In 2013 two bedrooms were also opened up for the first time, including the room where Thomas Hardy wrote the Mayor of Casterbridge and where he died. The house contains several pieces of Hardy's furniture, although his study has been relocated to the Dorset County Museum. Neolithic archaeology Half of the 100m diameter Neolithic interrupted ditch enclosure known as Flagstones is under the grounds of Max Gate; the other half was archaeologically excavated in 1987 prior to the construction of the Dorchester bypass. References External links Max Gate at the National Trust Max Gate, painting by John Everett Country houses in Dorset Buildings and structures in Dorchester, Dorset National Trust properties in Dorset Grade I listed buildings in Dorset Biographical museums in Dorset Historic house museums in Dorset Thomas Hardy Culture in Dorchester, Dorset Literary museums in England