Black Down and Hardy Monument

Recommended by

Walk directions

From the monument, head to the car park exit but, just before the barrier, turn down left (southwest) opposite a waymark post signed ‘Inland Route’. The path crosses a track, and runs down into woods and through a gate. Turn left here along a path to exit between two wooden posts. Turn right along a track, and at once bear left, to cross a stone stile. Cross a wooden stile to walk up the left edges of two fields along an enclosed path that harbours three more stiles. Go over a stone stile and immediately a wooden stile. Bear half left, aiming to the left end of a barn, and leave the field via a gate to a road.

Go straight over towards a farm along a track signed ‘Abbotsbury Hill Fort’. Go through a gate then another gate to the left of some barns. In 140yds (130m) bear right. Pass Hampton Stone Circle and keep straight on. Go through a field gate and follow the field fence. Go through a galvanised gate beside a field gate (signed ‘South Dorset Ridgeway’) and continue to the right of a fence, turning right at a gate and stone marker signed ‘West Bexington’, and turn right up through a gate to a road.

Turn right and take the first road left. Soon, at a cattle grid, bear right along a track. In 33yds (30m) keep ahead through a gate (English Heritage marker) on a grass track to the right of a hedge, fenced off from fields on the right. Follow this through three fields to a track junction.

Go ahead through a field gate signed to Kingston Russell Stone Circle, to the stone circle in the field beyond. Pass to the right of it (north) to a small gate in the far fence. Slant steeply downhill (still north), passing right of some grassy earthworks (the remains of prehistoric round huts). At the slope foot follow a fence down to the right, to a gate in an electric fence. Through this, bear left along a track, with the fence to your left, for 200yds (180m) to a gate.

Down through this gate keep ahead to a hedge, and turn right alongside it. Halfway down the field, turn right and cut across it, to a small gate in the opposite hedge. Cross a ditch and stream, and keep ahead to join the hedge along the field top. At this field’s end, cross a double stile, and contour forward (east), then drop gently to cross a footbridge. Head up through the streamside trees, then slant up to the right to a stile. Head uphill, parallel with the road that’s at the field top, soon seeing Littlebredy Church ahead. Cross the final field, then take a path passing to the right of the church. Go left through a gate and turn right onto the road. In 110yds (100m) bear right at a cycle route sign. Continue past Crow Hill Cottage and up a long hill to a road junction.

Turn right then along the lane for 300yds (275m). Just after a bridleway signpost, turn sharp left onto a green track. This bends right to become a mud path beside some woods and past a barn. Cross the road and go straight ahead, to the left of the woods. The wide path descends into the woods and divides: here turn up to the right. The path runs above the top edge of the woods, joining a track to reach the roadside below the Hardy Monument. Turn right, and take a rising path to the right of the road to reach the monument.

View all directions

Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Field tracks, quiet roads, woodland tracks

Landscape - Rolling hills and escarpments above Abbotsbury

Dog friendliness - Some unfriendly stiles and electric fences

Parking - By Hardy’s Monument, signed off road between Portesham and Winterborne Abbas; also at barrier down east of monument

Toilets en route - None on route; nearest toilets are in Back Street, Abbotsbury

Walks in Dorset

About the walk

Admiral Hardy is remembered today as the friend to whom Lord Nelson addressed his dying words at the Battle of Trafalgar: ‘Kiss me, Hardy.’ (Or, as perhaps seems more likely, ‘Kismet [fate], Hardy.’ He was a hero in his own right too, with his features decorating jugs and tankards of the time. ...

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Dorset is made up of rugged coastlines, high chalk downlands and a chain of picturesque villages and seaside towns that make up Britain’s Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, noted for its layers of shale and numerous fossils embedded in the rock. Hidden gems of Dorset can be found down winding, country lanes that lead to snug villages hidden from view.