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Primrose Cottage Isle of Portland E.M.S Holidays Tel No 01305 780640/07885048153 |
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Out and about in Portland and the surrounding area
Dorset, on the south coast of England is famed for its beautiful countryside and award winning Jurassic World Heritage Coastline.
What better place to base yourself than on Portland.
Portland is connected to Weymouth, by the shingle back – Chesil Beach which runs for miles along the coastline in Dorset. Once on Portland, turn left at the Portland Heights Hotel roundabout and you can see Chesil Beach first hand. It is a spectacular view.
There are many sites to visit on Portland. These include of course the famous Portland Bill lighthouse which can be climbed on a guided tour.
The only way to see the real Portland is to explore the island on foot. Portland has an excellent coast to coast network of public footpaths. Portland Walk Cards are available from the Portland and Weymouth Tourist Information Centres. They give a guide on the ‘Round Island’ coastal footpath. Not forgetting also that the Isle of Portland is one of the most popular sport rock climbing venues in the South West of England, with over 900 routes.
Portland is famous for its stone and the many quarries that have been mined for many years. However, the Tout Quarry (unused for many years) is now home to artists who have produced over 40 stone sculptures. Be amazed by the skill of these artists.
At Wakeham, Portland Museum tells of the islands history, from smuggling to shipwrecks. Close by is Portland Castle that was built by Henry VIII as part of his scheme of coastal defences against the French and Spanish.
Much of the island is designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. There are a host of butterflies and migrating birds. Portland Bird Observatory and field centre is located by the Bill and is the place to study the migration of birds. It is open from March till November.
With the fantastic water sports facilities it is not surprising that Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy is the official venue for the Olympic sailing events in 2012.
Close by to Portland is Weymouth with its Georgian seafront and renowned safe sandy beach. Weymouth boasts many shops, cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants. The Condor Ferry gives easy access to Jersey, Guernsey and France on a daily basis throughout the year. Fishing and water sports are also available.
Great family days out include: - Weymouth Sea life Centre, Monkey World, Bovington Tank Museum, Abbotsbury Gardens and Swannery.
Heading west from Weymouth you will come across Abbotsbury, with its famous gardens and Swannery. The village has lots of cafes to choose from and also craft shops. The great Dorset Maize is at Rodden which is approx 6 miles west of Weymouth.
Hive Beach is located near Burton Bradstock, first turning on the left before the village of Burton Bradstock. It is a small secluded beach, parking is available and there is a café which provides excellent food.
Bridport is a busy market town close to the coast and the harbour of West Bay. There are street markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and several second hand bookshops and craft shops to browse in. Beaminster is a quaint village and it is possible to walk there from Bridport. Antique shops here are a favourite. Follow the coast further west from Bridport and you will come across Charmouth and Lyme Regis. They are both famous for fossil hunting and being situated on the Jurassic Coast.
Heading east along the coast you will find the Purbecks where visits to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are a must for any visitor. You can hop on the Swanage Steam Railway at Corfe Castle. Corfe Castle is medieval and steeped in history. For those who enjoy walking, the Dorset Coastal Path offers spectacular views over the Purbeck Hills and out to sea.
Moving inland you come across Dorchester which is the county town and the heart of Thomas Hardy Country. The infamous Judge Jeffries also resided here. Remains of the original Roman wall and a Roman house can still be seen today. Carry on northwards and you come across Blandford which is an outstanding example of a Georgian town. 2006 sees the 38th Great Dorset Steam Fair. The Fair plays host too many thousands of visitors during August of each year. Sherborne was founded by the Saxons, and is an historic market town with a medieval high street. Sherborne Castle is close by. The castle was built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 and is set in 40 acres of land.
Whilst in this area don’t forget to pay a visit to Shaftesbury which is another ancient Saxon hill town. Shaftesbury is home to Gold Hill a steep cobbled street with tiny cottages. This famous hill was featured for many years in the Hovis television advert and is one of the most photographed locations in Dorset.
Enter these sites for more details on where to go: (These do not reflect the views of the owners in anyway. If there is any problem with any of the contents or links please contact the webmaster).
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