The land around Hardy's Monument was designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1984 by the Nature Conservancy Council, now Natural England. Due to this designation it was classified as open access land under the Countryside Rights of Way act 2000 so pedestrian access is permitted to all and sundry. On a clear day six counties can be seen including Isle of Wight, Hampshire, Wiltshire
, Dorset, Somerset and Devon. Catherine's Point on the Isle of Wight, a distance of 60 miles (96 km), to the West, Start Point in Devon, a similar distance and to the North can be seen Penn Hill in Somerset, a distance of 40 miles (64 km). It is possible to see very nearly the whole of the Jurassic Coast, the only place from which so much of it is visible except an aeroplane. Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour are easily visible so it is, perhaps, an ideal location for viewing the Weymouth Olympics. The area was closed in 2011 for the restoration of the monument, but now that project is complete it is open for business once more. If you have never been there before a visit is greatly recommended; if you have been there before we look forward to seeing you again in the very near future.
