As the UK is set to bask in another mini-heatwave this month with temperatures of 25C, and many Brits will be on the hunt for the perfect staycation seaside destination to relax in. Portland, on the south coast in Dorset, may just be the perfect place for those looking to escape the crowds of Bournemouth or Brighton.
Portland is known as a tied island – a landform joined to the mainland by a spit of beach materials – connected by the Chesil Beach to an 18-mile-long beach linking to the West Bay. The southern tip, Portland Bill, lies just five miles south of the resort of Weymouth, forming the southernmost point of Dorset. The town earned its fame for the important role it played in the construction of an iconic London landmark. “
Portland is a central part of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site on the Dorset and east Devon coast, important for its geology and landforms. Portland stone, a limestone, has been used in the UK and throughout the world, including St Paul’s Cathedral and the UN Headquarters in NYC.
In Portland, there are many historic stone structures to explore, including churches, castles, harbours and prisons.
Portland Harbour, between the town and Weymouth, is one of the largest man-made harbours in the world and was once a Royal Navy base, playing a vital role in both World Wars. It is now a civilian port and popular recreation area.
Among key landmarks to visit include the Portland Bill Lighthouse, which, if you climb the 155 steps to the Lantern Room, rewards you with breathtaking views of the Jurassic Coast. King Henry VIII’s Coastal Fort is also a must see, one of the famous Tudor king’s prestigious defensive forts. Finally head to Memory Stones, an impressive arch of large stones with audio recordings that explore the seaside town’s extensive varied history.
For something a little more rural, behind Chesil Beach lies The Fleet Lagoon, a large saline lake and one of the few remaining undisturbed brackish lagoons in the world. It is home to the famous mute swan colony at Abbotsbury, which the only place in the world where visitors can walk through a nesting colony.
Not all were impressed with Portland’s offerings, however, particularly of West Bay Beach.
“What a dump!” wrote one reviewer on Tripadvisor. “The British seaside at its worst!! West Bay was such a disappointment – dirty and crowded with the usual offering of uninspiring tacky shops and a plethora of unhealthy eateries.”
Another said: “An embarrassment to Britain! Visited today. A typical British disgrace! Foreign tourists please do not visit. It shows Britain at its worst.
“Dog mess everywhere, extortionate car parking charges & loos atrocious. Just four portacabins to service ALL visitors with no soap and little paper. Don’t waste your time visiting this place!”
That being said, not all had such an awful visit. Overall, West Bay Harbour has earned a rating of 4.4 out of five on the review website.
“I have been here many times over the last 40 years but never tire of visiting this picturesque working harbour,” said a third. “It is full of fishing boats and other craft. The whole of the harbour is full[y] accessible to the public unlike many places where the harbour is fenced off.”
The Express has contacted Portland Tourism, Dorset for comment.