Hardy’s Monument

Hardy’s Monument is a statue erected in 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag-Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. The monument is located at one of the highest points in Dorset and is owned by the National Trust. Occasionally it is opened and you can climb the stairs within for even better views over Weymouth, Chesil Beach and the Bridge Valley.

In 2011, a £150,000 restoration project was carried out to safeguard the future of the monument. Over 100 badly eroded stones were repointed.

There is a free car park, a picnic area, walking trails, heathland, woodland and amazing views. It’s a great location for a picnic or a walk along the South Dorset Ridgeway.  Walking trails can be found on the Dorset AONB website.

We highly recommend visiting Hardy’s Monument either alone or with your family. The nearby walks feature spectacular scenery throughout and are perfect for bringing dogs!