Last month saw the latest film adaptation of Far from the Madding Crowd hit cinemas, 141 years after Thomas Hardy published the novel, forever cementing his place as one of Britains greatest authors. This most recent cinematic version stars Carey Mulligan as Bathsheba Everdene and Belgian actor Matthias Schoenaerts as Gabriel Oak, but in many ways the true star of the film is the rolling countryside of Dorset, thinly disguised as Hardys Wessex, where much of the filming took place. The following is a selection of some of the very best properties that Dorset has to offer. In keeping with the principal residence featured in Far from the Madding Crowd, Dairy House Farm, situated in the village of Kington Magna is a beautiful period farmhouse. The property has four bedrooms, a hall, drawing room, snug, garden room and a timber barn with two stables. The house is Grade II listed and was built in the late seventeenth century with later additions and a complete renovation in 1990. However, perhaps the most beautiful feature of Dairy House Farm is its surrounding gardens and paddock. The gardens are peaceful and extensive, yet designed to be manageable. A fruit cage, fenced kitchen garden, lawns, various shrubbery and herbaceous borders and an orchard offer both manageable and pretty grounds. The property is on the market for 1,250,000 with our Shaftesbury office (tel.: 01747 850858). For more information please click here.  22 Bladen Valley, situated in the sought-after village of Briantspuddle, is a beautiful thatched cottage, forming one end of a row of similar style properties, built just after the First World War. The cottages were built as part of the Debenham Estate in the Arts and Crafts style, with the style designed to blend sympathetically with the local aesthetic. The cottages were originally built as part of an innovative housing plan by Ernest Debenham, the grandson of the Debenhams drapery and department store empire. The early twentieth century property included sought-after features such as an inside lavatory and a pig pen. The three bedroom property has been renovated to the highest standard but retains its rustic feel with many wood-burning stoves in its living spaces and an AGA stove in the kitchen. The front and rear gardens extend to approximately three quarters of an acre. The property is on the market for 450,000 with our Dorchester office (tel.: 01305 262123). For more information please click here.  Old St. James served as the Chedington Parish Church until 1980 when the building was deconsecrated and subsequently converted into a residential dwelling. Built in 1840 from hamstone the building was designed by Taunton architect Richard Carver and originally consisted of just a nave and chancel, with the baptistery organ chamber and south porch added later. The property has lost none of this original character, with stained glass windows, a wood burning stove, galleried landing and arches with carved wood screens still featured inside. More recent additions include solid oak floors, staircase and joinery, granite worktops in the newly fitted kitchen and new bathroom suites. Old St James also benefits from four spacious bedrooms, many of which offer scenic views out over the half an acre of secluded gardens. The property is on the market for 745,000 with our Bridport office (tel.: 01308 423133). For more information please click here.  Constructed of red brick and rendered elevations under a pitched clay tile roof, Little London Farmhouse dates back to the Edwardian era. Recently refurbished and extended, standing in three quarters of an acre with spectacular views, the property occupies an elevated position, with views towards Duncliffe Hill. The house has just undergone a thorough renovation and extension and now comprises sensibly configured accommodation with light rooms and good ceiling heights. The property includes two wood burning stoves, an open fire in the sitting room, bespoke handmade timber-framed windows and a master bedroom with far reaching views. The house benefits from a newly built fitted kitchen with an oak-framed glazed breakfast area and vaulted ceiling. The property also has three additional bedrooms with three bathrooms, a porch, hall, sitting room, dining room, snug and an office. The property is on the market for 740,000 with our Shaftesbury office (tel.: 01747 850858). For more information please click here.