Fans of the 2015 movie adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s first major literary success, ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’ are being encouraged to enter Visit Dorset’s Facebook competition to win a stay in Sherborne.
To tie in with the release of the film, West Dorset District Council’s Tourism Team are running a high profile Facebook competition to win a luxury short break at the Eastbury Hotel in Sherborne, the town which doubled up as Casterbridge in the film.
The main prize includes a three night stay at the Eastbury Hotel complete with a tasting dining experience at the hotel’s 2 AA rosette award winning restaurant for the winner and a friend. The competition is proving extremely popular and has so far had a reach of over 24,000 people.
The Tourism Team has been working hard behind the scenes to promote the film and a brand new leaflet highlighting the filming locations of ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’ has also been produced.
The leaflet will help visitors to the area discover the key filming locations in West Dorset such as Mapperton House, West Bay and Forde Abbey.
Jessica Thornton, Tourism Marketing Officer, said: “Far From the Madding Crowd has thrown Dorset’s incredibly striking scenery into the media spotlight once again and the Facebook competition will give the winners a chance to see with their own eyes the landscape that inspired Hardy, and fall in love with it themselves.
“We very much hope that the film, in tandem with Broadchurch, will continue to provide Dorset with an increasing number of ‘film tourists’ and that the local economy will see a positive gain for some time to come”
People have until Friday 29 May to enter the Facebook competition. To be in with a chance of winning, go to www.facebook.com/Visit-Dorset
The Far From the Madding Crowd leaflet is available from the district council-run tourist information centres in Dorchester, Bridport, Sherborne and Lyme Regis and can be downloaded from www.visit-dorset.com.
