Portland caters for a varied and exciting array of sports. Being surrounded by water makes the island a mecca for scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, powerboating & angling. The sea also makes an excellent back drop for rock climbing, horse riding, walking, cycling & mountain biking - The 'island' should have been called 'Sportland'.
Considering its size, 4.5 miles long by 1.75 miles wide, Portland has to be one of the richest places in the UK for sight seeing - castle ruins, prisons & the prison ship, stone sculpture park, beaches, lighthouses, Portland Bill, Pulpit Rock, gardens, Church Ope Cove, rare birds, butterflies, plants & flowers, museum, shipwreck exhibition, Portland Harbour, fossils, local art & crafts...
...Discover Portland sports, sights, history and folklore.
Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay are the perfect locations for the sailing enthusiast - whether you're a beginner or an accomplished sailor. There are local companies offering courses, boats for hire and equipment. If you have your own boat there are excellent launch facilities: Sandsfoot Beach (Old Castle Road, Weymouth), Ferrybridge Marine Services and Castletown Beach on Portland.
ANGLING
The waters around Portland attract anglers from all over the country. Chesil Beach was voted best sea fishing venue by readers of 'Improve Your Sea Angling' magazine. Portland Bill is also a popular spot for fishing with all its coves and rocky outcrops, particularly Pulpit Rock.
Mullet fishing is some of the best in Britain, and conditions are good for wrasse, dab, gunfish and plaice. Even sub-tropical fish are sometimes caught in these warm waters. Both the quantity and variety of fish is excellent.
CLIMBING
Portland has over 800 climbing routes recorded along its cliffs making it one of the top venues on the south coast for sport rock climbing. Another attraction of Portland is the rariety of some of the plants and animals resident on the island. Portland's coastline is a designated Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is soon to become a European Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
On account of this, seasonal climbing restrictions are in place on sensitive areas of the coast where birds nest. These areas may change from year to year - for up to date information and equipment, contact the Outdoor Education Centre - +44 (0) 1305 784927
WALKING - CYCLING - HORSE RIDING
Portland offers walkers everything from a quiet stroll to an all day walk. There's a coastal path running around the Island with lots of inland paths connecting to it. Four "self-guided" Walk Cards are available for the "Round Island" coastal footpath on Portland. There's also a "Discover Portland" Pack A Guide to walking and exploring the Island, with information about its heritage and wildlife. Contact Portland Tourist Information Centre +44 (0) 1305 861233XXXXXXXXXXXX
Portland has an ideal network of roads. They will take you through the varying scenery Portland has to offer with lots of places to stop and take in the views. If you prefer mountain biking then get off road on the coastal path.
Another great way to see the island is on horse back. Scenic coastal treks are offered by Windmill Stables. Whether you're a novice or an experienced rider, they can organise escorted rides along the local highways, byways & private land. They also have facilities for the disabled. +44 (0) 1305 823719
WILDLIFE
Portland is the perfect place to base yourself for a vast and varied look at some of the south coast's wildlife. Portland's coastal cliffs provide an important habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals, some of which are nationally or globally scarce.The nesting sea birds found on Portland's coast include Peregrine Falcons, Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars and Kittiwakes.
The Fleet Nature Reserve, situated on your right as you come across the causeway onto Portland, has an excellent display in the information centre. The Reserve has produced a leaflet detailing two nature trails - the Chiswell Trail and the Ferrybridge Trail. +44 (0) 1305 760579
Due to large tidal shifting of nutrient rich water the Fleet is teaming with life under the surface. The ideal way to see this is on a glass bottom boat - 'Fleet Observer' +44 (0) 1305 773396
A collection of local butterflies are on display in Portland museum. +44 (0) 1305 821804
TOUT SCULPTURE QUARRY
Portland is known throughout the world for its limestone. After the Great Fire of London in 1966, Sir Christopher Wren used Portland stone to rebuild many of the capital's churches, the most famous being St Pauls Cathedral.
There are many quarries on the island but of particular interest is Tout Quarry. It's open to the public as the Portland Stone Centre. Walking around its paths you can see numerous sculptures and carvings. Workshops take place during the summer months.
MUSEUM
Founded in 1930 by Dr. Marie Stopes, famous for pioneering birth control, Portland's museum is housed in two cottages sitting obove Church Ope Cove. One of the cottages inspired Thomas Hardy's novel "The Well Beloved".
HARBOUR
Portland Harbour is the largest man-made deep water harbour in the world. It was commissioned in 1843 and was built using a workforce of convicts from
ARTS & CRAFTS
Portland has become home to many artists. Taking inspiration from the local sights and ambience, their work is on show and for sale through local outlets.
Artworks - situated in the same building as the hairdressing salon 'Hairworks' - exhibits the work of regional artists and printmakers. Prints, many of local interest, and portfolio work are also available. - +44 (0) 1305 826191
Just along from Artworks is the Mermaid shop selling all sorts of arts & crafts.
The Island Gallery, in Easton Square, has unusual gifts, Arts and Crafts, many hand-made locally, and designed exclusively for the Gallery. - +44 (0) 1305 821432
SIGHT SEEING
Portland boasts some of the best sights on the south coast. At the south there's the famous Portland Bill Lighthouse which can be viewed daily from 11.00am to shortly before sunset - all year. The Old Lower Lighthouse is now a Bird Observatory (viewing by appointment only).+44 (0) 1305 820553
Portland Castle and the ruins of Rufus Castle are well worth a visit. Portland Castle offers tours and can be contacted on +44 (0) 1305 820539
Chesil Beach is a popular place in the summer and the sunset is undoubtedly one of the best you'll see on the south coast. The best place to view is from the top of Fortuneswell
Portlands other beach, Church Ope Cove, isn't so famous and is the wrong side of the island for sunsets. Situated below the ruins of Rufus Castle and near the museum, it offers peace, tranquility and probably an excellent sunrise.
Portland Sculpture Trust Tel/Fax: (+44) (0)1305 826736
Email:- pst@learningstone.net
Workshop Enquiries: workshops@learningstone.net
Today they house pictures and artifacts telling the history of the Isle of Portland. This includes the quarrying of Portland stone, smuggling, Portlands strong Naval connections, prisons and an exhibition of local shipwrecks. There's an interesting fossil collection in the garden along with a WWII bomb which caused a mass evacuation in 1995.
There's also a talking museum feature for the partially sighted and enhanced videos for the partially deaf.
The museum is open to the public from Easter through to October 10:30 - 5pm, Friday to Tuesday. During the school summer holidays it's open 7 days a week.
Group visits can be arranged through the winter. Tel: +44 (0) 1305 821804
to the Navy. Since they moved out, the port has gone through a lot of changes. It's now run by Portland Port Ltd, and the harbour is busy again with cable laying ships, Britains only prison ship, fishing boats, tugboats, yachts, dinghies, dive boats... and two mulberry harbours from D day.
If you are visiting the area with your own vessel and plan to use the harbour you should be aware of some local restrictions, regulations and costs - for up to date information
the Verne prison situated at the top of Fortuneswelloverlooking the harbour. It's estimated that over 6 million tons of Portland stone went into the construction of the massive Portland harbour breakwaters.
Until a few years ago the harbour was bustling with action due
DIVING
Portland is the ideal place for diving - whether your'e a beginner or have years of experience. Because of its location, Portland can offer dive sites in virtually any weather. Portland's shore line has a varied topography full of aquatic life. The local currents offer some of the best drift dives in the UK. The sea bed has become the resting place for many ship wrecks ranging from shallow to deep. Divers are well catered for with several dive operators offering boats, kit hire, instruction, guided dives, air, nitrox & trimix.
Launching facilities, equipment hire & tuition - Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy - +44 (0) 1305 860101
WINDSURFING & SAILING
Portland Harbour is also the windsurfers perfect location. Convenient parking can be found in the pay and display car park at the Fleet Nature Reserve Centre on Chesil Beach. Directly accross the road is the Hamm Beach offering easy access to shallow water. When crossing the grassland please make use of the boardwalks provided to avoid damaging plants and wild life.
RYA Courses, board & wetsuit hire - Windtek +44 (0) 1305 787900
Tackle, bait, tide tables & accessories from:
Portland Sports & Leisure....+44 (0) 1305 821398 Dennings Tackle & Guns.....+44 (0) 1305 783145 Weymouth Angling Centre...+44 (0) 1305 777771