Portland

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Portland is a part of Dorset like no other; wild, natural and ruggedly beautiful.  It is famous for its Portland stone which has been used  as a building stone throughout the British Isles, notably in major public buildings in London such as St Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.  

This unique, tied island marks the southernmost point on the Jurassic Coast and is joined to the mainland by Chesil Beach. Its isolated location, quaint villages and rocky, coastal scenery give the island its own special atmosphere, perfect for exploring.

Just four miles long by a mile-and-a-half wide at its broadest point, you’d be forgiven for thinking that there wasn’t much to see here on this tiny isle – but you’d be wrong!

Steeped in maritime history and heritage, there are museums, castles and not one but three lighthouses to explore, not to mention the folklore and tales of pirates and smugglers to discover.

Portland’s coastline is a mecca for outdoor sports, with adventure seekers flocking to enjoy the many activities on offer including rock climbing, diving, walking and excellent sailing and kite surfing thanks to reliable winds, flat winds and a safe harbour.   Portland is the home of Olympic sailing and the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy https://www.wpnsa.org.uk/ #WPNSA.

If you would like to try something more gentle, why not to alpaca trekking from Fancy's Farm? https://www.portlandalpacas.com/

Walkers and cyclists delight in the Portland loop of the South West Coast Path, which circles the island on an unmissable 9.5-mile trail of dramatic, rugged cliffs, nationally rare plants, hidden coves and stunning views. For more information visit Visit Dorset - things to do.

The sea is almost on your doorstep and offers fantastic country and seashore walks around Chesil Cove or the seventeen miles of pebbles along Chesil Bank stretching along the Fleet and Chesil Nature Reserve to Abbotsbury.

Many parts of the island are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest.