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Tied island in Dorset, England
Photo: Jasper33, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Portland is a town in Dorset, a county on the south coast of the West Country, in England. Portland is actually an island, even though it is linked to the mainland by Chesil Beach, as Chesil Beach is a shoal beach (not a tombolo).
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Built by Henry VIII in the early 1540s, this castle has played a part in history ever since. This history is portrayed through exhibitions and the building itself.
This beautiful quarry is full of sculptures that local people have created. It is set on the top of Portland with fantastic views of the Jurassic Coastline.
It has interactive displays and historical artefacts and offers the opportunity to encounter a stormy sea journey in the ‘Into The Dark’ zone. Visitors can also climb the lighthouse and see for miles along the beautiful Dorset Coastline, the Jurassic Coast and out to the treacherous Portland Race. Minimum height 1.1 metres tall to climb the tower.
Museum dedicated to Portland's stone, the Jurassic Coast, shipwrecks around the island and famous people linked to the island.
Set inside HMP Portland, a young offenders' institute; is a small two-room museum.
Chesil Beach is a 17 mi long shingle beach spit connecting Portland to West Bay, contrary to popular belief Chesil Beach is not a tombolo, but a shoal beach. Part of the Jurassic Coast, a .
A small visitor centre with exhibits, a cafe and visitor information. A good starting point for tourists.
Portland's own small theatre is in a former church that hosts the occasional production and can be hired as a venue.
Leisure centre with a 25-m swimming pool, gym and cafe.
In the Osprey Quay development. This venue hosted the London 2012 Olympic sailing events. This venue hosts events throughout the year as well as sailing courses. Cost of courses varies.
A cheap cafe near Verne Prison that does sandwiches, burgers and jacket potatoes.
Dorset's most southerly restaurant, right next to Portland Bill and reputedly open since 1952. Despite its name, there is no lobster on the extensive menu though there is locally sourced crab.
Former residence of John Penn, the Governor of Portland and grandson of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, USA.
A diving shop, you can browse stock both online and with Google Street View. They also provide training.
A haberdashery store specialising in wool.
Sells gifts and offers a picture framing service.
By train
The nearest train station is Weymouth station. Trains to Weymouth station come direct from London Waterloo and Bristol.
By coach
National Express operates a coach service to and from Weymouth's Seafront.
By ferry
A ferry service by Coastline Cruises operates between Brewer's Quay in Weymouth and both Crabbers Wharf and Portland Marina in Portland, the average journey time is 45 minutes each way.
Bus services are provided by both First and South West Coaches on Portland. The main service is Route 1, provided by First, which operates every 7/8 minutes on weekdays during the day.10 and can be bought from a driver.
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