Discover Portland – Love Portland

Whether you’re coming for the day or coming to stay; Portland makes the ideal place to visit. With so much to explore being steeped in history, there’s no wonder why people find the island so fascinating.

Discover local secrets in one of the many island coffee shops and bars. Or, dine with breath-taking views of the Jurassic Coast while you watch the world go by. Portland is an explorer’s paradise.

OSPREY QUAY – is the marine hub of the Isle of Portland. This waterfront area was named to reflect its origins as HMS Osprey, the former Royal Naval Station. Home to the National Sailing Academy which hosted the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

CHISWELL – One of Portland’s ancient hamlets, a fishing village with cottages built on the back of the Chesil beach. The village lies at the point where the massive Chesil Beach joins Portland to the Dorset mainland. Equally magnificent on a warm summer’s day as it is in the full force of a winter’s storm.

CASTLETOWN – Once a busy area serving the numerous sailors that came through from the Dockyard it is now popular for those wishing to dive in the waters off Portland. An area steeped in military history it was also the site that much of the world famous Portland Stone was shipped to London. The Tudor fortress, Portland Castle sits formidably on the waterfront and is well worth a visit.

FORTUNESWELL – Originally known as Fortunes’ well because it was an island settlement established around a small watercourse. The main road through to the top if the island has a wide variety of
properties, some are small Portland stone cottages that were built on steep slopes. As you climb the hill St. John’s Church, built in the 1800’s, is on the left hand side.

VERNE COMMON – Although now mainly residential the area has evidence of Roman settlements. The view from the top at the entrance to The Verne is simply breathtaking with views across Chesil beach, Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay.

THE GROVE – A small settlement that originally housed the old Borstal officers. At the cliff edge you can see the Purbeck cliffs and the Victorian Portland Harbour. Look out for the wild Portland goats on the cliffs below.

EASTON – the shopping centre of Portland that surrounds the Victorian gardens in the centre of the main square. A range of traditional shops, superstore and cafes for you to choose from.

WESTCLIFF – Go through the residential area to get to the West side of the island and you can enjoy fantastic views of Chesil Beach and beyond and take a leisurely cliff top stroll to the Bill.

WESTON – It is overseen by the magnificent Georgian St. George’s Church at the top of the road which although no longer consecrated is open during the day for people to visit.

SOUTHWELL – Portland’s most southerly village made up of quaint quarrymen cottages and new houses with a village pub in the centre of the village. Park at Cheyne Weares and access the wonderful round-island cliff walks.

PORTLAND BILL – This is the southern most tip of the island and has Portland’s most famous landmarks, the lighthouse and Pulpit Rock. Enjoy the spectacular sea views across the English Channel.