Hardy Monument is the 72-foot octagonal stone tower raised in 1844 on Black Down above Portesham to honour Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Nelson's flag captain at Trafalgar, in whose arms the admiral died. The National Trust has looked after it since 1938. From the South Dorset Ridgeway hilltop you can pick out Start Point in Devon, St Catherine's Point on the Isle of Wight and Pen Hill in Somerset on a clear day, each around 40 miles off, with Chesil Beach, the Fleet and Portland spread out below. On certain days you can climb the 120 steps inside, weather permitting. Families can follow the waymarked Mini Explorer Trail, with nine brass-rubbing checkpoints, and dog walkers are asked to keep to short leads around sheep and ground-nesting birds. Reviewers single out the 360-degree view towards Portland Bill, the picnic benches and the walks from the free car park. One tip from regular visitors: bring cash for the tower, as cards are not accepted. There are no toilets on site.
