Isle of Portland Tourist Information

Isle of Portland Tourism Guide

The Isle of Portland is joined to the Dorset mainland solely by Chesil Beach - the long shingle bank that shields the Dorset Coast between West Bay and Portland. Portland is Dorset's most southerly point lying five miles from Weymouth on the south coast. It is an island of limestone on which flower rich grassland grows on the steep white cliffs. The limestone rock is quarried and has been used in St Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.

Overlooking Portland Harbour is the sixteenth century Portland Castle. It was built under King Henry VIII in the early 1540's to defend the island from the French and Spanish. It is one of the best preserved castles from this period and is open to the public between April-October. You can take an audio tour which tells you more about the history of the castle - a touch tour is available for the visually impaired - or book onto one of the guided tours. Check the English Heritage weblink right for more information on opening times and admission prices.

Portland is one of the Gateway Towns on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The island along with Chesil Beach are of particular interest to geologists. There is an excellent viewpoint above Portland town that looks out over Chesil beach and West Dorset. Follow the tourist signs up to Verne Hill and the citadel.

If you want to find out more about Chesil Bank and The Fleet, pay a visit to the Chesil Beach Visitor Centre at Ferrybridge between Weymouth and Portland. There are intrerpretive displays explaining more about the geology and wildlife of Chesil Beach and The Fleet Nature Reserve. Regular guided walks are also organised from the Centre. The Centre is open all year round. Chesil Visitors Centre, Portland Beach Road, Portland, Dorset DT4 9XE. Tel: 01305 760579. Fax: 01305 759692. Email: reserve@chesil.fsworld.co.uk.

• Hotels in Portland Dorset
• Bed and Breakfast Portland Dorset
• Bed and Breakfast in Portland Dorset

Portland Harbour Watersports and Activities

Portland Harbour, south of Weymouth, is the deepest man-made harbour in the country. It's a great location for all sorts of watersports. Sailing is hugely popular as is kitesurfing, windsurfing, water skiing and diving.

Portland Harbour is regulated by the Portland Harbour Authority. Check the PHA link right for more information on using the Harbour for leisure. There is a downloadable leaflet showing designated areas for leisure craft. In fact Portland Harbour is the venue for the 2012 Olympic Sailing Trials.

If you haven't had a go at watersports before you'll find plenty of places where you can organise tuition or trips as well as pick up equipment or accessories. A popular guided trip is by kayak or power boat along the Jurassic Coast. Check the links right for more information on training, charters and activities.

Shore angling and sea fishing are both popular around Weymouth. You can bring your own boats to launch at several places around Weymouth or pick up one of the many sea fishing trips available from Weymouth Bay. Shore fishing is popular particularly at the lagoons behind Chesil Beach.

• Portland Dorset Accommodation
• Holiday Cottages in Portland Dorset
• Portland Holiday Cottages

Portland Museum

Portland has its own small museum. The museum was actually founded in 1930 by Dr Marie Stopes who lived at the Old Higher Lighthouse at Portland Bill as a summer residence.

The museum is housed in two thatched cottages above Church Ope Cove. Stopes' friend, Thomas Hardy, used one of the cottages as inspiration for the heroine Avice's cottage in his novel "The Well Beloved".

Exhibits in the museum include various artefacts detailing Portland's particular history and its maritime history that includes tales of smuggling and shipwreck! There is also a display dedicated to the life and work of Dr Marie Stopes. who opened the first family planning clinic in London in 1921.

Portland Museum, 217 Wakeham, Portland DT5 1HS. Tel: 01305 821804.

• Guest Houses in Portland
• Portland Bed and Breakfasts
• Portland Guest Houses

Portland Bill Lighthouses

Portland Bill is the island's most southerly point and is a promontory of stone extending out into the English Channel.

There are three lighthouses on the Bill. The red and white striped one is still in use, but is computer operated now. You can visit the Visitor Centre here for guided tours of the lighthouse and find out about its history. Check the link right for current opening times.

The Old Lower Lighthouse is where Portland Bird Observatory is based.

The Old Higher Lighthouse was run as a lighthouse until 1906. Since then it has been in private ownership and was formerly the home of Dr Marie Stopes who pioneered birth control for women. It is now privately owned and holiday accommodation is available in the lighthouse cottages around the lighthouse itself.

• Portland Dorset Accommodation
• Accommodation in Portland Dorset
• Bed and Breakfast in Portland Dorset

Portland Bill Bird Observatory

The Old Lower Lighthouse is home to Portland Bird Observatory and Field Centre.

Being in such a southerly location it is no surprise to find that Portland is an excellent place for birdwatching where you'll often see migrants pausing for a rest on their way over the channel from Europe.

The Bird Observatory and Field Centre conducts surveys into all aspects of Portland's wildlife. The Observatory is run as a charity and visitors are welcomed for further information or as paying guests in the lighthouse, hostel-style accommodation. Accommodation tends to suit birdwatchers, naturalists, walkers, ramblers, artists, climbers and water sports enthusiasts. The accommodation is also suitable for school, college or groups on residential field-trips and study visits.

There is a bookshop within the Lighthouse selling an excellent choice of natural history books, some of which are discounted if you're a member. For more information check the weblink right.

• Portland Hotels
• Accommodation in Portland
• Guest Houses in Portland