Portland Holiday Cottage

Portland History

Portland Past and Present ...............

The Isle of Portland is not really an Island, however it is only joined by a narrow strip of land and the Chesil Beach. This mass of land juts out into the channel and is formed from a block of limestone 4.5 miles long by 1.75 miles wide. It rises from near sea level in the south to over 400ft at the northern point.

Portland has been inhabited since early times and traces of occupation have been dated back 7000 years.

The Romans knew it as 'Vindilis' and Thomas Hardy wrote about it as 'The Isle of Slingers' because Portlanders used to throw stones to keep Kimberlins (strangers) away.

Portland boasts one of the largest harbours in the world. The foundation stone was laid by Prince Albert in 1849 and the construction carried out by convicts. It took twenty three years and twenty two deaths before the final stone was laid in 1872 at a cost of £1,033,600.

Portland has its own Castle, built by Henry V111 in 1539 to ward off the French.

Portland s best known for its stone industry. Its use extends from St Pauls Cathedral to the UN Headquarters in New York and the 800,000 gravestones honouring the nations war dead from the Second World War.

The history and the fascination of Portland is endless. The only way is to come and explore the island for yourself...Walk along its beautiful cliffs and rugged coastline, fish or dive in its clear waters or just relax. There is something for everyone, give us a try.

Dorset has a lot to offer the holiday maker and visitor to the locality. Here are a few to consider ...........