The Isle of Portland lies in the heart of the Jurassic Coast being situated just 6 miles from Weymouth in Dorset. Approaching Portland, you cross the causeway road with the harbour and Sailing Academy on your left and arrive in the area locally known as 'Underhill' which encompasses Chiswell (and Maidenswell), Castletown and Fortuneswell. The main road runs through Fortuneswell and then climbs up to 'Tophill' which is the larger area comprising of Easton, Weston, Southwell and Portland Bill with its famous lighthouse.

There are still working quarries on 'Tophill' producing the famous Portland stone which was used to build St Paul's Cathedral. Tout Quarry, now disused, is home to a sculpture workshop and several carvings in the rock including one from 1983 by Antony Gormley, creator of the Angel of the North, called Still Falling (see the Portland Gallery).

Portland is 6kms long by 2.4kms wide and is a tranquil place of outstanding natural beauty worth visiting any time of the year. Small boats, belonging to local fishermen, put to sea from Chesil Beach in search of local fish, lobsters and Portland crabs.
Eating In & Out

Close to both properties are take aways for chinese, indian and fish & chips and there is a great little fish market within walking distance - great for local fresh fish and Portland crabs.

Otherwise here are some ideas for eating out:

Portland

The Blue Fish Restaurant
The Cove House Inn
The Pulpit
Crab House Café
The Heights Bar & Bistro
The Lobster Pot

Weymouth

Mallams Restaurant
The Riverhouse Inn
Marlboro Restaurant

Getting around

If driving is not an option you can get to Weymouth by train and then onward to Portland by bus or taxi. Buses reliably run every 8 mins on week days, 10 mins on Saturdays and 15 mins on Sundays. During summer months there is an open top bus that runs around the island and over to Weymouth - From there you can board other buses to reach Dorchester or take a trip along the Jurassic Coast. Daily, weekly & familly tickets are available so ask the driver. For the more energetic there are cycle ways and off road routes around Portland, the harbour and across to Weymouth.

Activities

Portland is an ideal base for a variety of activities - sailing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, diving, canoeing, angling, walking, bird watching and rock climbing. Chesil Beach is a great spot for shore diving and is good for beginners and experienced divers alike - For the more adventurous there are several off shore wrecks accessible by rib or hard boat. The large harbour is home to Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and is a popular venue for kitesurfing and windsurfing.

From the corner of Chesil Cove there is a scenic walk up and along the cliff path which runs down to Portland Bill and then back to Castletown via the other side of the island - about 7 miles in all. On the first leg the path passes Tout Quarry and areas frequented by rock climbers and you can see where, decades ago, the quarry workers moved giant blocks of stone to the cliff edge and then sent them tumbling down to be loaded onto to vessels to be transported away.