Welcome to the Isle of Portland, joined to the mainland by the south-eastern tip of Chesil Beach, the ”Isle of Slingers” of Thomas Hardy’s novels.
Portland quarries have produced pale limestone, for such buildings as Buckingham Palace and St Paul’s Cathedral, Portland’s links with the Royal Navy, date back to the Crimean War when strengthened in the 1890’s when facilities to make and test torpedoes were established.  The original harbour was built in 1847 by prisoners awaiting transportation to Australia.

The Island slopes gently southwards towards the Bill of Portland where the red and white Portland Bill lighthouse was built using local stone in 1906, the previous light house is the white painted trinity House Tower which was erected in 1844.  The Bill of Portland, overlooks dangerous waters with tidal currents racing at up to 7 knots and sometimes more.  Not far away is Pennsylvania Castle, built in dramatically gothic style around 1800 by John Penn  who was the grandson of the founder of the American State of Pennsylvania, the Castle is now in private ownership.  Portland, offers so much history and interest, that we could write many books about it, and many people have , the above is just a brief introduction to Portland.

Pleased to be associated with Team Dorset, leading up to 2012, and working with services in the Portland area.  

Orders being taken now for the Savecard Dorset 2012 guide.

Promoting local services and businesses in the area.

Sponsorship and advertising enquiries welcome, for the Dorset 2012 guide.

Portland Bill

Weston

Easton

Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy

Aqua Hotel & Restaurant

CASTLETOWN

Scimitar Diving

Copyright © Savecard Ltd 2008-2010. Also known as savecard.org.uk  registration number: 06727199