The Walk: A circular walk around the Isle of Portland starting from Chiswell and following the coast.
Map
NB The map shows my GPS track, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely.
Why do it: An exploration of this unique and historic landform. Route of the Merchant's railway: carts laden with stone descended the steep slope under gravity, pulling empty carts back up. Far reaching views over Portland Harbour, and East along the coast toward Lulworth Cove (covered by this walk) and West over Chesil Beach and further along the Dorset coast. Two prisons (Verne and Portland at Grove). Quarries with relics. A smuggler's cove with Norman Castle and ruined historic church. Portland Bill ledges and lighthouse. Old Admiralty Research buildings. Massive shingle bank on Chesil beach.
Distance: 12 miles
Logistics: The route description assumes a start at the free (2021) 'Masonic' car park behind the massive shingle beach at Chiswell. I did the walk clockwise, but anticlockwise would work just as well.
Challenges: A stiff climb up on to the Isle at the beginning, and corresponding descent at the end. This could be avoided by parking on the Isle, although the path up follows the interesting old Merchant's quarry railway, and down gives great views over Chesil Beach.
As elsewhere on the Dorset coast path, erosion of the cliffs is a continuous process: follow the latest diversion signs.
My route is but one possibility: there are several alternative paths on the Eastern side, lower down amongst the disused quarries along the shore.
Refreshments: Several cafes and pubs in and around Chiswell. Jailhouse Cafe in the garden at Grove Prison. Lobster Pot cafe on Portland Bill. Heights Hotel at Portland Heights (close to the return route.)
Nearby Walks
To The East: Weymouth to Lulworth Cove
Photos
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| There is a heliport near Portland harbour |
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| The coast path follows the route of the old Merchant's quarry railway |
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| Looking back down the path over Portland Harbour and Chesil Beach |
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| The old Citaldel protecting Portland Harbour, later converted to a prison - HMP Verne |
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| Just in case you were thinking of flying a drone.... |
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| There is a rare breeds farm nearby (I guess kangaroos or wallabies are pretty rare in the UK) |
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| Portland Harbour and the coast East of Weymouth, visited on this walk |
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| Coast path approaching the second prison of the day: HMP Portland at Grove |
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| Info board. A gas storage facility is planned using the underground caverns |
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| The Old Engine Shed |
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| Old Engine Shed info board |
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| Anyone got a ladder? |
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| Forbidding massive prison walls |
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| Gate in forbidding massive prison walls |
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| Prison garden |
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| Jailhouse Cafe |
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| Quarries at Grove: convicts excavated the stone used to build Portland harbour defences |
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| View Eastwards |
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| Rufus Castle, dating back to Norman times |
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| Ruined St Andrews Church at Church Ope Cove |
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| Old tomb |
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| Church Ope Cove, overlooked by Rufus Castle |
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| Old quarry workings on East coast |
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| Old quarry workings on East coast |
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| Old quarry workings on East coast |
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| Old quarry workings on East coast |
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| Old quarry crane |
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| Grassy Portland Bill |
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| Huts and boats at Portland Bill |
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| Ledges at Portland Bill |
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| Lobster cafe at Portland Bill |
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| Mmmm.... |
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| Lighthouse, Portland Bill |
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| Qinetiq operate facilities for MoD |
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| Looking back to Portland Bill |
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| Old Admiralty Research buildings.... |
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| ...now repurposed for various engineering activities as 'Southwell Business Park' |
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| Approaching Weston housing estates, which must have one of the best views in England |
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| Looking back to the old Admiraly buildings |
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| Gun emplacement (?), Weston |
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| Blacknor Fort, converted to home |
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| Old quarry workings at West Weare |
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| Old quarry workings at West Weare |
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| Tracks worn into the rock |
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| Old quarry workings |
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| Path diversions |
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| Tout Quarries has a number of trails |
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| Quarry stones overlooking Chesil Beach |
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| Sunset |
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| Portland and Chesil Beach |
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| Path descending to the beach |
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| Chesil Cove |
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| Chesil Cove |
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| The shingle bank on Chesil Beach |
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