OUT AND ABOUT - The Island of Portland and nearby

There is NO PLACE like Portland in our opinion; its an undiscovered gem!

Our very own castle on the island - Portland Castle overlooks the harbour and is a 20 minute walk away. It is one of Henry VIII’s finest coastal forts, built in the early 1540’s to defend the coast from invasion a www.english-heritage.org.uk - 0870 3331181).

Portland and Weymouth Sailing Academy and Marina – site of the 2012 olympic sailing - and still a thriving enterprise with sailing and windsurfing schools throughout the year.

Chesil beach is on our doorstep: 18 stunning miles and 180 billion pebbles of the Jurassic coast, a UNESCO designated world heritage site. The pebbles are graded large (potato size) to small (pea size) from east to west. It is said that smugglers landing on the beach in the dark could tell where they were by the size of the pebbles underfoot.

The Fleet Lagoon was formed when sea levels rose. It is connected to the sea through a narrow channel at Ferrybridge into Portland Harbour. It is an important area for wildlife and is designated a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Explore the lagoon on The Fleet Observer, a glass bottomed boat  with daily sailings from Easter to September when there is sufficient demand (01305 759692).

For all enquiries about Chesil Bank and the Fleet Nature reserve (01305 760579)

Walking – the south West coastal path stretches 630 miles along the superb coastline of the Jurassic Coast. You can access the Portland stretch from the promenade across the road from the church - turn left and follow the signs.This takes you round the entire island with a bit of weaving here and there, especially on the East side. There are fabulous sea views all round. Just above chesil beach the path takes you through the Tout Quarry Nature Reserve and Sculpture Park www.visit-dorset.com. Look out for an Anthony Gormley amongst others. Further on you pass beside the Bird Observatory  and Lighthouse at The Bill (there is a café here for tea and crab sandwiches www.southwestcoastpath.com or www.footscape.co.uk.

The east side of the Island is a rugged walk – if you are lucky you might catch sight of the long-horned wild goats that graze the landscape. You will come across Rufus castle (a ruin overlooking the delightful beach and idiosyncratic beach huts and gardens at Church Ope). A short detour here will bring you to The Portland Museum and café www.portlandmuseum.co.uk housed in a 17th century Portland stone cottage in Easton.

The East side of the island is also home to the Verne Local Nature Reserve and the Verne High Angle Battery and Citadel (a Grade II listed fort, now derelict, built in 1892; see Wikipedia). A short detour will take you to The Jailhouse Café (if you can track it down). You enter through the  magnificent Georgian gateway of the jail into a desolate landscape; if you can find it once you are inside, pop in for a cup of tea and cake (it is run and servedby inmates). They also sell homemade jams, chutneys, Christmas cakes and puddings. There are glorious views on a good day across to the mainland from here www.jailhousecafe.co.uk

Below the jail, the path takes you down The Merchants Incline (formerly a gravity operated railway for transporting stone blocks from the quarries) with spectacular views across Chesil Bank and the Harbour, now the site of the National Sailing Academy.

You can see the island by horse (Chesil equestrian 01305 823719) or by bike – though it is VERY hilly

There are also magnificent walks from the mainland, west towards Charmouth and Lyme and east, towards Lulworth Cove www.southwestcoastpath.com

Birdwatching – Portland is said to be one of the best places in the UK for bird watching, with over 350 species sighted. It lies on several species migratory routes so there is the opportunity to spot some real rarities (a collared flycatcher, white billed diver, little bittern, spoonbills, Egyptian geese, little ringed plovers – to name just a few). The bird observatory and Field Centre at The Bill updates its website regularly with recent sightings. There is also a fabulous bookshop on site with titles dating from the 18th century for the enthusiast. (www.portlandbirdobs.org.uk). Some information is also available at the Chesil Centre which has a good bistro and café (left on the causeway as you are leaving portland).

Climbing/abseiling/bouldering and soloeing – Portland is famous for its unrivalled wealth of well-bolted sport routes across all grades. www.Rockfax.com has a database of these routes and more detailed descriptions (updated in 2010) are available at www.dorset-climbing.com. Taster courses, introductory and advanced climbing with experienced local instructors can be arranged through www.portland-climbing.co.uk (tel 07752454602).

Watersports; Sailing, Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Paddleboarding and kayaking
The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, host to the 2012 sailing Olympics, is a five minute drive or 30 minute walk from Stonehall. It caters for just about any water sport you care to mention – from paddleboarding to paragliding.

For sailing instruction or boat hire contact Sail laser (0845 337 3214 or 01305 866001). There is a comprehensive programme of RYA-approved courses available for all ages and abilities.

For windsurfing hire and tuition for all levels contact The Osprey Training Centre on infor@otc-windsurf.com or telephone 0121 288 9965.

For kite-surfing lessons, power kites, kite buggy and kite board contact www.paracademyextreme.co.uk or call 01305824797 or 07747770859

For paddleboarding, windsurfing and kayaking drop into the Puravida Watersports centre at Ferrybridge Boat Yard (on the causeway) or contact www.puravidaweymouthwatersports.co.uk

Ride on ocean Kayaks can be hired (single and doubles from £10 per hour) at www.portlandbikehire.com (08445671026)

Tennis there are two tennis courts that are free to use in the park in Fortuneswell (see map), just ten minutes walk from Stonehall (we have rackets and tennis that you can borrow).

Badminton courts (pay and play) are available in the Osprey Leisure Centre, a 15 minute walk from Stonehall (see map). Rackets can be hired.

Fitness and Gym The Osprey Leisure Centre has a cardiac suite and weights for all levels. Avaible for a sessional fee to nonmembers (01305 824378)

There is also a Health and fitness centre and spa (which is very well regarded) in the slightly grim-looking Ocean Spa Hotel, Southwell Park, Portland (tel. 01305 824117). www.theoceanspa.co.uk.

Swimming An indoor swimming and diving pool is available at The Osprey Leisure Centre (www.ospreyleisurecentre.co.uk for times and prices or call 01305 824378)

Beaches

There are beaches to please everyone – here are some of our favourites:

Chesil beach (of course) – for strong swimmers only. Good for stone throwing, stone balancing and fossil hunting (see gallery). Wonderful sunsets.

Church Ope – lovely little east facing cove on the island (best in the morning for sun). Sand, pebbles and rock pools – good for paddling and swimming. Accessed via a long, long set of stone steps down a little lane near to the Portland Museum in Easton. Café for scones and ice creams at the top of the steps.

Weymouth Beach – a fifteen minute drive across the causeway – or take the boat from castletown (a walk away) in the summer. This is a seemingly endless stretch of golden sand for safe bathing (it is hard to get out of your depth!), for building sandcastles, pedaloes, donkey rides and Punch and Judy. There are also trampolines and volley ball in the summer. The backdrop is the Georgian seafront – famously visited by George III.

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