Hardy Monument
Enjoy wonderful views over the Dorset countryside from this historical viewpoint near Portesham and Abbotsbury. The monument was built in 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. This circular walk starts at the National Trust car park next to the monument and takes you over Black Down and through Benecke Wood. The walk can be extended to visit Portesham Hill and the nearby village of Portesham.
If you're coming by bike then you could catch a train to Dorchester and follow National Cycle Network Route 2 to the monument.
If you'd like to continue your walking in the area then you could visit the lovely Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens which are only a few miles from the monument. Also nearby is the fascinating Iron Age Hillfort of Maiden Castle. The South Dorset Ridgeway passes the monument and is a great way to explore this section of the Jurassic Coast.
Postcode
DT2 9HY - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsHardy Monument Ordnance Survey Map 
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Hardy Monument Open Street Map 
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Hardy Monument OS Map 
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Hardy Monument Open Street Map 
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Pubs/Cafes
You could head east from the monument into the little village of Martinstown to visit The Brewers Arms for some refreshments after your walk. The pub is dog friendly and also has a nice garden to sit out in during the warmer months. You can find it in the charming little village just over a mile east of the hill. The postcode is DT2 9LB for your sat navs.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Just a few miles to the south east of Abbotsbury there's the worthy village of Langton Herring to explore. The settlement includes a 17th century village pub and nice trails leading to the Moonfleet Manor Hotel. The coastal hotel is in a fine position with wonderful views to enjoy with your delicious afternoon tea.
Just a couple of miles to the west there's Littlebredy which is something of a hidden gem. The delightful village includes the Little Bredy Walled Garden, a waterfall, a lake, an old church and footpaths along the River Bride which runs through the village.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Dorset Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
The Hardy Monument. This monument was built to commemorate Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterson Hardy, Flag-Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. If you've got a good imagination it looks like an upended telescope.
This was taken from the start of the car park at the monument. The internals of the monument have been restored by the National Trust, allowing visitors to view the surrounding countryside from the top.
A sunny day with clear views eastwards over Dorset
Built in 1842 at the top of Blackdown Hill to commemorate the life of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Nelson's Flagship Captain. Hardy moved to Portesham with his parents in 1769 and first attended school in Crewkerne, Somerset. The monument is surrounded with heather and gorse and is built on very gravelly soil as the photograph shows.
Hardy Monument through the Hell Stone. This restored Neolithic dolmen is located on Portesham hill just to the south west of the monument.
Culvert in Portesham village. A culvert running down Front Street, Portisham. It carries the flow of water under Church Lane at its junction with Front Street.