George Augustus Cavendish-Bentink Memorial

Tucked away on the Purbeck Hills above Swanage, this granite memorial stands as a tribute to George Augustus Cavendish-Bentinck, who died in 1891. The tall obelisk catches your eye from quite a distance - it's positioned on high ground with sweeping views across Poole Bay and the Dorset coast.

History buffs will appreciate the Victorian craftsmanship, though honestly, most visitors come for the walk and the views rather than the memorial itself. The monument marks the spot where Cavendish-Bentinck, a notable local landowner and MP, apparently enjoyed taking his constitutional walks.

Getting there involves a proper uphill trek from Swanage - about forty minutes of steady climbing through heathland. Families with young children might find it a bit much, but older kids who don't mind a walk will enjoy scrambling about on the surrounding heath. The views alone justify the effort, stretching from the Needles on the Isle of Wight to the chalk cliffs of Old Harry Rocks.

It's free to visit whenever you fancy, and makes a decent half-day excursion if you're staying at one of the holiday parks around Swanage. Haven Rockley Park and Ulwell Holiday Park are both within easy driving distance, making this a good leg-stretcher between beach days.