by Rachel Knowles

Created on: November 30, 2010

The Isle of Portland lies on the southern edge of Dorset, on part of the Jurassic Coast, an area designated a World Heritage Site because of its outstanding natural beauty. Although called an island, it is in reality a peninsula, joined to the mainland of Weymouth by a shingle bank called Chesil Beach and a road bridge.

Portland Castle is a major attraction on the island. It is a sixteenth century fortress built by Henry VII to protect the country against possible invasion from Spain and France and remains remarkably intact, unlike its sister castle Sandsfoot across the harbor in Weymouth. It is now in the care of English Heritage who provides visitors with a very informative audio tour as well as activities for children at various points around the castle. In the grounds of Portland Castle lies the Governor’s Garden which includes a circular amphitheatre made from local stone and affords stunning views across the harbor.

Portland is famous for its stone which has been used to make impressive buildings all over the world including St Paul’s Cathedral and the Whitehall Cenotaph. Visitors can learn about the history of Portland stone at Portland Museum, founded by Dr Marie Stopes in 1929. The museum is housed in two seventeenth century thatched stone cottages which are the inspiration for Thomas Hardy’s novel, “The Well-Beloved” which was set on the “Isle of Slingers” – a caricature of the Isle of Portland. The museum also tells about the Jurassic Coast and the island’s history of shipwrecks.  

For those who want a closer look at Portland’s famous stone, a visit to Tout Quarry is recommended. Tout Quarry is an abandoned stone quarry near Portland Heights which is now home to a sculpture park, with sculptures and carvings in the Portland stone. Stone carving courses are run here during the summer for those who want to try their hand at sculpting.

On the southerly tip of Portland lies Portland Bill with its dramatic outcrop of rocks, notably Pulpit Rock. This lectern shaped stack of rock was created by quarrymen when they cut through a natural archway in the 1870s. Not surprisingly, there has been a lighthouse on Portland Bill for over three hundred years, warning ships of the hazardous Shambles Bank which lies three miles offshore. The current lighthouse is automated and can be toured by visitors to the Bill; there are tremendous views across the sea from the top. A previous lighthouse is now used for bird watching.

Portland is a great place to sail; it is the home of the National Sailing Academy, host to the sailing events in the 2012 Olympics. It is also a popular location for scuba diving because of the large number of wrecks in the surrounding waters. Portland also offers some excellent waters for fishing as well as offering opportunities for horse riding and rock climbing.

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