Exploring

The modern visitor to Portland travels in comfort across the causeway by car, bus or bicycle but for earlier generations the only way was the long walk along the Chesil Bank or an often hazardous passage by ferry at Smallmouth, the entrance to the Fleet.

Portland is best explored on foot and a range of guided walk leaflets may be obtained from Tourist Centres. For those with only a day to spare the Island can be explored by car. Starting from Victoria Square follow the signs for Castletown and Portland Castle and explore Henry Vll’s Tudor stronghold. During the summer season English Heritage puts on a series of events such as Tudor music and dance as well as displays of living history.
Turn right out of Portland Castle and begin the steep climb to the top of the Island through the village of Fortuneswell. Having passed the Police Station and Courthouse (no longer in use), and Victoria Gardens, you will see the Royal Manor Theatre, once a Methodist church, on your left. This is a slow and narrow road so you will have time to glance down the narrow streets of Mallams, Artists Row and Kings Street on your right, each one giving a glimpse of the sea. You will shortly find a car park on the right so take the opportunity to stop and visit the Book Shop where you may be lucky enough to find

second hand books about the Island. The nearby library will be a source of local information and events.
Notice narrow old road, now only a path, leading off to the left of the steep incline leading to Tophill and imagine the problems of getting great pieces of stone down the hill in horse drawn carts. On the right is the new and very fine sculpture "The Spirit of Portland", for a closer look you will have to park at the top and walk back, but it will be worth it.
Just above the sculpture is a crane typical of those used for lifting stone, and now a symbol of Portland’s past
When you reach the top of the Island stop and look back at the view along the Chesil Beach, you can sees Start Point on a clear day, and then take time to explore Tout Quarry.

Following the signs to Easton turn left into Grove Road and look for St Peters Church , Romanesque in style with a fine open-timbered roof and built by convict labour at a cost of £8,000 – the most expensive church on the island. The mosaic floors of the porch and sanctuary were designed and laid by Constance Kent, a prisoner serving life for murdering her half brother but later released. Her artistry remains as a memorial to someone who was herself the victim of tragic circumstances. Follow the narrow road that runs clockwise behind the church and you will find a spectacular view across Weymouth Bay.