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You are here: Things To Do > Hardy Monument
*LATEST UPDATE* The National Trust car park is open. There are limited spaces, so if the car park is full please come back another time. The monument itself remains closed.
The Hardy Monument stands on an exposed location above the village of Portesham in Dorset and has tremendous views across the Dorset countryside. It was built in 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. Amongst other things, Hardy became famous as it was in his arms that Nelson died, saying the immortal words 'Kiss me Hardy'. The National Trust became owners of the site in 1938 and have maintained it ever since.
The future of the monument has been safeguarded thanks to a restoration project carried out during 2011. The memorial plaque on the outside of the monument was also restored.
2020 Opening (28 March 2020 - 31 August 2020) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Monday - Tuesday | Closed* | |
Wednesday - Sunday | 11:00 | - 16:00* |
* The car park at the Hardy Monument is currently open but the Monument itself is closed due to the Covid-19 situation.
Dates and times marked with a '*' are provisional and may be subject to changeTicket Type | Ticket Tariff |
---|---|
Adult | £2.50 per ticket |
Child | £2.50 per ticket |
Child under 5 years | Free |
National Trust members | Free |
Free admission for National Trust members.
Hardy Monument lies next to the lane between Martinstown and Abbotsbury. It is also easily accessible from the B3157 at Portesham and the A35 at Winterbourne Abbas.
Parking: The monument's car park (Pay and Display) is open for cars every day from March to September, from dawn to dusk.
SatNav: Grid ref: SY612876.
By train: Dorchester train station is 6.5 miles. Weymouth train station is 9 miles. Both stations are linked to Portesham village by the Jurassic Coaster X53 bus route.
By bus: Jurassic Coaster X53 bus stops at Portesham village. Alight at the Kings Arms and it's a 40 minute walk to the monument.
On foot from Portesham village: follow the lane north-east uphill. Descend to Black Down Farm. Fork left and follow the South Dorset Ridgeway uphill through the wood.
By cycle: National Cycle Network Route 2 passes alongside Hardy Monument.
CLOSES 01/11/2020 FOR THE SEASON UNTIL SPRING 2021, DATE TBA
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