Portland

For details of places to stay and things to do in Portland, please try the links on the left.

ALTHOUGH best known for its stone and the Portland Bill lighthouse the Isle of Portland has much more to discover.

Portland has stunning scenery, a wealth of wildlife, a dramatic coastline, plus superb water sport facilities. With the announcement of London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympics, the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy is celebrating as it's the official venue for the Olympic sailing events.

Many parts of the island are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The limestone landscape is a haven for the many species of butterfly dependent on chalk and limestone grasslands. Of the 57 different species of butterfly found in the British Isles over half of them are seen on Portland.

Migrating birds use Portland both as a stopping off point when migrating south and as a welcome landing spot on their return in spring. The Portland Bird Observatory, which is situated in the Old Lower Lighthouse at Portland Bill, was formed essentially to study bird migration. It's open from March until November and bird lovers are welcome to visit where they'll find a wealth of information on the species recorded on the island.

Portland's landscape bears the marks of the quest for stone and evidence of the industry can be seen in the unique scenery. The Tout Quarry hasn't been worked commercially for over 75 years but now has a new lease of life since artists from around the world produced over 40 stone sculptures, turning the area into a fascinating sculpture park. A walk around the park reveals some really incredible work, from a life-size man falling down a cliff to a fireside hearth and a lizard. The park even has its own Philosopher's Stone! With superb views over Chesil Beach and a maze of pathways that are just begging to be explored it's well worth a visit.

This Jurassic coastline is simply stunning. Take the first left-hand turn at the Portland Heights Hotel roundabout at the top of the hill and you get the most incredible view of Portland Harbour and Chesil Beach. On the coast road around the island between Southwell and Weston take time out to stop at Cheyne Weares and marvel at the peace and quiet while watching the tidal races and the comings and goings of the boats. Out at Portland Bill you can climb the 153 steps on a guided tour with a former lighthouse keeper and marvel at the coastline landscape.

Portland Museum at Wakeham retells the island's history of shipwrecks, smuggling and quarrying in a collection of fascinating artefacts and at Portland Castle, one of Henry VIII's finest coastal fortresses, you can try on armour and explore the Tudor kitchen and gun platform.

Castletown is rich in history and was used as an embarkation point for the D-Day landings in 1944. Looking out from Castletown beach two of the Mulberry Harbours, built for the landings, can still be seen.

OLYMPICS 2012 - Weymouth & Portland to host sailing events - click here for details.