Hardy Monument

Hardy Monument is a 22-metre memorial tower crowning Black Down, a hill near the village of Portesham in Dorset, southern England. When it is open you can climb to a viewing platform at the top.

Who is the monument for?

The tower honours Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, who captained Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar. It went up in 1844, paid for by public subscription. Do not confuse it with sites tied to the novelist Thomas Hardy, a different man. This landmark is about the sailor.

What will you see?

The tower stands about 22 metres (72 ft) tall. A spiral staircase of 120 steps leads to the top. From that height you look out across Dorset's rolling countryside and towards the Channel coast.

The summit is open walking ground. A circular route of roughly 2.5 km (1.6 miles) starts at the car park and loops across Black Down and through Benecke Wood. Longer walks head down towards Abbotsbury and the South West Coast Path.

Who looks after it?

The National Trust has owned the site since 1938, when it bought the land for a nominal 15 pounds. The interior opens on selected days, usually at weekends in summer, so check the National Trust website for current times before you travel.

How do you get there and park?

A National Trust car park sits beside the monument, with a gravel and compacted-chippings surface, and parking is free. A newer Black Down car park lies a short walk away. There are no toilets on site, so plan ahead.

The nearest village is Portesham, and paths from the hill lead on towards the coast near Abbotsbury.

When is the best time to visit?

Choose a clear day when the views carry and a climb is worthwhile. In summer the interior is often open at weekends. Outside opening hours the hill and the path round the tower remain accessible. Wear sturdy shoes for grassy and woodland sections, and bring a windproof layer, since the summit can be breezy.

How long should you allow?

Seeing the tower and climbing it takes about half an hour. Add a short loop over Black Down and Benecke Wood and you are looking at one to one and a half hours. If you combine it with a longer walk towards Abbotsbury and the coast, set aside most of the day.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a charge to climb the tower?

Parking is free, and the climb is available during the opening times published by the National Trust. Check their site for current entry arrangements.

How many steps are there?

There are 120 steps in a spiral staircase.

Is it a monument to the poet Thomas Hardy?

No. It commemorates Admiral Thomas Hardy, Nelson's flag captain at Trafalgar. The writer of the same surname is a different person.

Are there toilets?

No, there are no toilets at the site.