Portland

Isle of Portland

One of the Isle of Portland's most famous attractions is the Portland Bill Lighthouse which has a visitor centre and superb opportunities to explore this special part of the Dorset coastline to enjoy fabulous scenery.

Be warned: there are 153 steps to the top of the lighthouse!

The Isle of Portland has a rich quarrying heritage and who hasn't heard of Portland Stone, arguably the World's most famous quality building stone, but did you know about the Dinosaurs?

Seen from much of Dorset's coast, and recognisable from its steep limestone cliffs, rising to 500 feet at the northern end, and forming a four mile long wedge shape right on its southernmost extremity at Portland Bill.

The island is connected to the mainland by the shingle strip of Chesil Beach and its coast footpath will bring you among resident seabirds such as fulmars, guillemots, kittiwakes and, if you are lucky, perigrine falcons.

A wide variety of rich maritime plantlife, including Dorset botanists favourite, the rare Portland Sea Lavendar, and butterflies abound.

A European ornithological landmark, Portland is an important bird spotting location at migration time.

Portland once had a railway which transported stone. Initially just a tramway, parts of the line can still be walked from Weymouth, being the popular Rodwell Trail and along the Portland causeway. In a corner of Portland Harbour the trackbed lies under a landscaped earthen embankment marking the edge of Portland's National Sailing Academy, the venue of the 2012 Olympics sailing events. There is a fine walk leading to a spectacular cliff cutting above Church Ope Cove. This was one of the most scenic coastal branch lines in southern England and today is part of the Dorset World Heritage Jurassic Coast.

Just along the coast path from Portland: Jurassic Coast.