The best hikes from bus stations in Hartland Moor National Nature Reserve

The "Why" Behind the Hill Burt didn't just put it there because it looked nice. He dedicated it to his uncle and mentor, John Mowlem (another massive figure in Swanage history). But there was a practical side, too: A Landmark: It served as a waypoint for ships navigating the tricky waters around Old Harry Rocks. The View: Burt was obsessed with showing off the beauty of his hometown. By placing it on the ridge, he essentially gave people a reason to climb the hill and look down at the town he was helping to build. The Great Disappearing Act (WWII) If you look closely at the obelisk today, it looks remarkably "clean." That’s because the one you see now is a reconstruction. During World War II, the original stone obelisk was considered a "navigational hazard." The British military was worried that German pilots would use the tall, white stone pillar as a landmark to help them find their bearings for bombing raids on nearby Bournemouth or Poole. So, in 1941, they knocked it down. For decades, it lay in pieces in the grass. It wasn't until 1973 that the Encombe Estate and local residents gathered the resources to rebuild it (using a mix of the original stone and some fresh Purbeck masonry) to celebrate "Plant a Tree in '73"—though ironic, as there isn't a tree in sight on that windy ridge!

If you’ve been hiking those ridges, that lone stone pillar standing guard over Swanage has likely caught your eye. It’s officially known as the Ballard Down Obelisk (or the Burt Memorial), and the story behind it is a classic tale of Victorian pride, a bit of eccentricity, and some very literal "re-gifting." The "Stolen" Monument The obelisk wasn't originally built for the Purbeck Hills. It actually started its life in London. In the mid-1800s, it served as a monument to a man named James Thompson, standing near the entrance to the Vauxhall Bridge. However, when the bridge was being rebuilt in the late 19th century, the obelisk became an "obstruction" and was destined for the scrap heap. Enter George Burt: The Man Who Moved London Swanage looks the way it does today largely because of George Burt, a local businessman who ran a massive masonry firm in London. He had a habit of taking "architectural leftovers" from London and shipping them back to Swanage as ballast on his empty stone boats. When he saw the obelisk was going to be demolished in 1892, he stepped in. He didn't just save it; he dismantled it, shipped it down the coast, and hauled it all the way to the top of Ballard Down.

If the view from Studland Hill is a grand "reveal," the view from Rollington Hill is more of a slow, scenic immersion into the Purbeck countryside. While Studland Hill (part of the Nine Barrow Down ridge) looks at Swanage from the north/northeast, Rollington Hill sits a bit further west, closer to Corfe Castle. From here, you’re looking down the "barrel" of the valley toward the sea.

If you can climb it without getting off, you're already a pro.

Atop this ridge you are offered breathtaking 360 degree views of the surrounding Dorset landscape.

Beautiful view. Good footwear for the walk is recommended.

Ballard Down is an area of chalk downland on the Purbeck Hills in the English county of Dorset. The hills meet the English Channel here, and Ballard Down forms a headland, Ballard Point, between Studland Bay to the north and Swanage Bay to the south. Cliffs are prone to eroding so care must be taken if going near the cliff edges.

Named after the dramatic castle ruins that sit on the high above the village, Corfe Castle is a delight to explore. Built strategically at a gap in the Purbeck Ridge, the castle dates back to the 10th century and is today owned by the National Trust. The village is built from characteristic grey Purbeck limestone and boasts a wealth of places to eat and drink, as well as many accommodation options. The walking in the region is superb, with the heaths, hills and, of course, the excellent coast path.