Although just outside Weymouth and Portland, Hardys Monument and Blackdown Woods is only a short drive away. To get there follow the Coast road out of Weymouth towards Abbotsbury and Bridport, and then turn right after the Kings Arms pub in Portesham. Follow this road now as it winds round the village and up a steep hill. When you reach the brow of the hill there is a turning left which is signed posted to the monument.
Be careful here as it is narrow in places, but there are passing laybys situated along the road. Before long you will see the monument on your right.
According to the National Trust webpage on the site, which will also gives you the history of the building, parking is now available in the land around the monument. A Tea and Coffee van is now serving on the site.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardy-monument/
Alternatively if you carry on further along this road, after coming down a hill you will see a parking area on your left, which is also the way into Blackdown Woods.Once at the Monument, if the day is clear, you will be greeted with the most amazing view's over Weymouth, Portland and the surrounding Countryside and coast.
There are lots of pathways to explore round here, and places for the children to explore nature and run around.
Whether you have parked at the Monument or down by the woods entrance, the woods are easy enough to walk to. Some of wooded areas can get boggy in the winter so wellies are advisable. There are a number of circular walks around the woods, ranging from 30 minutes to an hour, but it's fairly easy to navigate round if you keep to the paths so you can't go too far wrong. The woods are very peaceful, and great for the children to play in, make dens, or play on rope swings.
For those who want some fresh air, great views and some fun in a beautiful Dorset woodland then you can't go far wrong with a visit to Hardy's Monument and the Blackdown woods, and what makes it even better is that it is free.
Lara, has a passion for Bargains and the Local Area and is the Proprietor of Wise Buys Weymouth a Bargain Brand Food Outlet, situated on Lynch Lane which sells perfectly good short dated and Best Before Expired food, at low prices which would otherwise be scrapped and turned into harmful landfill.
For more info visit www.wisebuysweymouth.co.uk
or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wisebuysweymouth
