Portland Tourist Information

The Isle of Portland is four and a half miles long and is alimestone outcrop . Portland juts into the English Channel directly opposite Cherbourg.

Head up the hill to the sign-posted viewpoint and you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the causeway, coast, harbour and beyond.

Portland is joined to the mainland by the Chesil - a tapering spit of shingle . The gap between Portland and the mainland is a unique natural harbour, prividing almost 2,000 acres of sheltered water protected by massive breakwaters. This feature is unique to the south coast and is of great ecological significance.

Portland's stone and its fortress character meant that it was one of Britain's earliest settlements. Traces of human occupation date back 7,000 years to the Neolithic period. Evidence has been found from many later ages, including the Bronze Age & Iron Age.

Portland quarries are famous for their limestone, which has provided materials for some of the world's most famous monuments including St Paul's Cathedral and many war memorials across Europe

Portland Castle, built by Henry VIII to defend Weymouth against possible French and Spanish invasion is well worth a visit. It remains largely unaltered today and an audio tour is included in the admission price.

EATING AND DRINKING GUIDE TO PORTLAND

For it’s size Portland has quite a selection of places to eat and a few good watering holes.

At Portland Bill there is a café overlooking the sea – good for lunches and coffee/tea and there is also a pub called the Pulpit Inn – which has a popular carvery.

At Easton, a busy village square there are a couple of other pubs that have regular live music and a contemporary coffee house – that is certainly worth a visit.  It is called WHITESTONES and serves good coffee, breakfasts and lunches – it doubles as an ART GALLERY and a SCULPUTURE GARDEN – a very relaxing place.

The Heights is a hotel with bistro and bar with glorious views over the Chesil Beach and Portland Harbour.  Further down the hill a must is to visit THE COVE a pub right on the edge of the Chesil Beach where everyone gathers to see the sun set and have a pint or two and the pub also serve good basic pub grub.

A little further along the same road heading towards the beach road is THE BLUE FISH CAFÉ another definite must for a special meal in the evening or a good lunch/brunch or breakfast. 

There are many other pubs for you to explore and some very traditional ones such as the Portland Roads at the harbour or the Portland Arms at Fortuneswell (real ale from the wood).