We can recommend some local restaurants – though we haven’t tried them all.

The Cove House Inn (over the road from the church on the promenade overlooking the beach). Great views, great sunsets and fresh seafood

The Crabhouse Café (tel. 01305 788867); hits the zeitgeist with rustic tables and super fresh seafood – they farm their own scallops. Just on the left after leaving the causeway, look for signs – its not in an obvious place (www.crabhousecafe.co.uk for times and menus).

Quiddles (01305 820 651) – this is a portland name for a squid; the café is in fabulous position on the promenade, to the left, overlooking the sea and the huts; it’s a bit hit and miss for food but generally good. Crab sandwiches, good cakes and icecreams. Open air paella evenings on Thursdays in the summer from six o’clock

The Lobster Pot at Portland Bill serves good lunches, cream teas and excellent crab sandwiches

For lunch and snacks try Whitestones in Easton. It has outside space and an interesting garden (www.whitestonescafegallery.com - 01305 860003)

The Mermaid tea rooms, tucked beside the Portland Museum does Dorset cream teas and icecreams - you may need reviving after the long walk up from the delightful Church Ope

For snacks, jacket potatoes and great views on a sunny day try - www.thejailhouse.co.uk

Staffed by rehabilitating inmates it is located through the impressive fortified gates of the Verne HMP

An American style Jailhouse Diner has also opened up for breakfasts, brunch, burgers and fries in the former Prison Officers mess (106 Grove Road, Portland)

The woodfired Portland Pizza Company – a walk away in Victoria Square – summer evenings only from six o’clock (call first: 07936518871)

There is a fish and chip shop in the High Street in Fortuneswell, a short walk from the house up the hill. Slow service but very fresh fish

Further afield…..

We tend not to eat much in Weymouth but there are plenty of restaurants along the harbour. There is a new pizza venture that we can recommend at The Stable, 13 Custom House Quay, Weymouth. Tel 01305 789 389

The Dorset Burger Company is also getting rave reviews on tripadvisor….97 St Mary Street in Weymouth - 01305 780 888

The Seaside Boarding House – Glamorous clifftop bar and restaurant in Burton Bradstock - 01308 897205

The Parlour (www.bredyfarm.com ) generous and authentic italian food set amongst farm buildings just outside bridport

Brassica (lunch and dinner - booking essential) www.brassicarestaurant.co.uk

- book for lunch and check out the village square for Little Toller Bookshop and  Brassica mercantile 

Good walks all round here