Location: Isle of Portland
Top Things to do in Isle of Portland
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Top 7 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Isle of Portland, England
The Isle of Portland is a limestone tied island, 4 miles (6 km) long by 1.7 miles (2.7 km) wide, in the English Channel. Portland is 5 miles (8 km) south of the resort of Weymouth, forming the southernmost point of the county of Dorset, England. A barrier beach called Chesil Beach joins it to the mainland. The A354 road passes down the Portland end of the beach and then over the Fleet Lagoon by bridge to the mainland. Portland and Weymouth together form the borough of Weymouth and Portland. The population of Portland is 12,400.
Restaurants in Isle of Portland
1. Castletown D-Day Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 354 reviews
The Castletown D-Day Centre is a family friendly, interactive WWII museum that tells the story of the thousands of US military personnel who in June 1944 sailed from Dorset to the beaches of Normandy.
Reviewed By FamilyManWessex
A great WW2 museum where you are invited to touch guns and sit in and on the vehicles including a jeep, motorbike and sidecar troop carriers anti-aircraft gun and Sherman tank. Really friendly and helpful staff. A great family experience for our children aged between 5 and 15.
2. Portland Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 200 reviews
Dinosaurs, shipwrecks and smugglers, Roman and Viking invasions, stone carving, seafaring, ground breaking scientists and world-famous authors, Portland museum packs in an astonishing collection that reflects the history and people of this exceptional island community! Portland Museum is a gem – tucked away in a beautiful corner of the island in two cottages dating to the seventeenth century, a stone’s throw from Rufus Castle and the stunning Church Ope Cove, on the South West Coast Path Although joined to the mainland by a tombolo, a wave formed beach, the island has always been regarded, and self-identified, as somewhere different and the museum’s collection reflects this. Staffed by volunteers from the local community, Portland Museum looks forward to welcoming visitors eager to find out about author Thomas Hardy and museum founder Dr Marie Stopes’ connections to the island. Portland Museum has something to interest everyone!
Reviewed By DonC567 - Saint Thomas, Canada
A diversity of exhibits of historical findings discoved in the local area including early Roman items, fossils, ship wrecks dating back to Viking explorers, etc. Dr. Marie Stopes, the founder of the museum, had an interesting life from the education field (double PHDs), political career, social advocate of birth control, etc. Well before her time!
3. The George Inn, Portland, Dorset
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By lorrainebO3068VL - Isle of Portland, United Kingdom
Stunning roast yet again at the George, staff lovely and friendly perfect hosts, and they even found me a Christmas pudding, delicious, thank you everyone x
4. The Grove Prison Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By 814steveg
This an interesting little museum, packed with artefacts relating to life in the prison/borstal/YOI. The volunteer curators and former prison officers, Paul and John, provided an excellent level of knowledge and many interesting stories of prison life. Doesn't take much time to see, so do pop in and have a chat with them if you're in the area.
5. Portland Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 459 reviews
Overlooking Portland Harbour in Dorset stands one of Henry VIII's finest coastal forts, built in the early 1540s to protect against French and Spanish invasion. Today it provides a great day out for visitors and its audio tour, included in the admission price, tells of the castle's 450 year history and the part it played in the First and Second World Wars. Portland Castle offers lots to do for families and couples alike, and only four miles from Weymouth, this historic adventure can easily be combined with some more contemporary seaside fun.
Reviewed By Yorkterrier01 - York, United Kingdom
Whilst this is a castle, it is more technically classed as a for and had a sister fort across the bay at Sandsfoot. They were built by Henry VIII to protect the harbour against foreign incursion. As it is been used as private accommodation, not too much of the original features survive but there are plenty of exhibitions and the views from the castle across Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay are lovely including seeing the Osmington Horse and a Mulberry Harbour. The parking is free if you are an English Heritage member (they now run the property) otherwise there is a charge
6. Dive Beyond
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
7. The Royal Exchange
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 12 reviews
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