Blackdown had a Napoleonic invasion warning beacon in 1804 776ft above sea level. Hence the hilltop selection for the memorial to Vice- Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy who was Nelsons flag captain aboard HMS Victory in October 1805. The monument can be found at Black Down, Portesham, Dorset Erected in memory of Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy of HMS Victory. The 70 foot high monument was erected in 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag-Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar who lived in the nearby village of Portesham. It stands over 776 feet above sea level and excellent views of the Dorset coast can be seen from both the carpark and the top of the monument.

Views from Hardys Monument over the Dorset Countryside

Picture 1 road leading to hardys from Portesham

Picture 2 Hardys Monument car part and chesil beach in the distance

Picture 3 Dorset looking towards North Dorset

Designed by Arthur Henry Syke Acland and built by Henry Goddard in grey portland stone as a sea mark to commemorate the life of Hardy. Hardy is remember as the receipient of the remark from Nelson who was dying "Kiss me" or possibly misunderstood for Kismat which mean fate and destiny.

Hardy is buried at the Navys Greenwich Hospital which is governed until his death is 1839.

Photographs taken for The Dorset Guide and are not to be used within any publications without permission
Hardys Monument | Close up of narrow window two thirds up the monument in the picture to the left | Window from inside and rope hand hold leading down.

Photographs taken for The Dorset Guide and are not to be used within any publications without permission
Hardys Monument Main Door | Slote Window within the Monument | Looking up at the Stone Spiral Staircase within the Monument | Doorway at the top

Entering into the monument via a small door way is a small opening and leads to the 121 spiral stone narrow steps which are poorly lit along the way, a rope handheld  is provided for those that wish to take on the climb! and a representative of the National Trust will take the admission fee. At various points very thin slots are cut into the stonework providing natural limited light.

The climb is not suitable for families with babies though the climb has been made with young children. There is no passing points within the tower, so patience is required while you wait for one party to descend before attempting the climb.

The monument is shaped to represent a spyglass similar to what Admiral Hardy would have used on board ship. It is octagonal and the corners represent the corners of a compass. The corner to the right of the entrance marks due north.

The carpark and surrounding land is not owned by the National Trust and the land owner covers the expenses, a contributions box has been provided, as without the carparking area visiting the monument and the walkways would not be practical for families or the disabled due to the hilly climb and narrow roads with no parking facilities.

Stone Soldiers Seat
The stone seat on the seaward side of Hardys is a memorial to Major William Digby Oswald who was killed on the Somme 16th July 1916 at the age of 36 by a shell band fired from a British gun. He was buried on the Somme at Dives Copse near Bray but his comrades decided on an English memorial overlooking Weymouth where he met his wife Catherine Yardley.

Photographs taken for The Dorset Guide and are not to be used within any publications without permission

View towards Chesil Beach and the Fleet |  Lettering Top of Monument | View of the Narrow country roads of Dorset

• Free Car parking with a contribution box for the land owner
• Nearest Toilets Portesham Pub or at the public toilets in Abbotsbury
• Grassed area for picnics in the summer months a fast food van and icecream van are often present at weekends.
• No shopping facilities
• No telephone facilities
• Nearest petrol station - Portesham
• Limited stone seating
• Excellent Views across Dorset

Travel Information
Inland approach - A35 Dorchester to Bridport Road and turn off at Winterbourne Abbas or Via Martinstown
Coast Approach - B31578 Weymouth to Bridport coast road you turn off next to the pub in Portesham village and climb steeply uphill then right turn onto the narrow country road with limited passing points leading to the monument.