Portland Bill coastal tour
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Walk directions
Follow the High Street, to the left of the Eight Kings pub, to the edge of the village, then turn left on a signposted path, just before the 40mph restriction roadsign. Turn right on the coastal path, which you’ll then be following all the way to Portland Bill lighthouse. The path leads past old
quarries, then along turf, crossing a footbridge. Soon look out for a deep hollow on your left, with iron rails across a great hole; this is Cave Hole, with a blowhole in the cliff top where the sea rushes into a cave below. You can sit on the big stone blocks and look down from there at this
natural spectacle.
A huge collection of multicoloured sheds on the turf are Portland’s answer to beach huts. The coast path goes through a gate with a Crown Estates sign. Just beyond here the sea rushes into an inlet and rebounds: you can see how it has cut out great scoops of the rock over the millennia. You also pass some sea stacks – pinnacles of wave-eroded rock. Reach the Lobster Pot restaurant near the Portland Bill car park. Keep to the left of the main lighthouse, turning right before a three-sided stone obelisk inscribed ‘TH, 1844’ erected as a landmark to aid shipping.
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Additional information
Terrain
- Stony and on grass, level or gently undulating, village road
Landscape
- Grassy paths and tracks, level cliff tops, abandoned quarries
Dog friendliness
- Beware of unfenced cliff tops
Parking
- By roadside in centre of Southwell village, at road junction by Eight Kings pub
Toilets en route
- At Portland Bill car park near the main lighthouse
About the walk
The great natural causeway of Chesil Beach joins the treeless peninsula known as the Isle of Portland. Described by Thomas Hardy as ‘Dorset’s Gibraltar’, it is like nowhere else in Dorset. The rapid currents hereabouts are known as the Portland Race, and have claimed the lives of many seafarers. ...
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
About the area
Dorset is made up of rugged coastlines, high chalk downlands and a chain of picturesque villages and seaside towns that make up Britain’s Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, noted for its layers of shale and numerous fossils embedded in the rock. Hidden gems of Dorset can be found down winding, country lanes that lead to snug villages hidden from view.
Nearby places to stay
View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Pebble Bank Caravan Park
- Launderette
- Ice pack facility
- Cafe/Restaurant
- Wifi available
Nearby places to stay
Chesil Beach Holiday Park
Set next to the water with stunning views of the famous 18-mile beach, Chesil Vista Holiday Park offers a choice of accommodation styles. With lots of leisure activities and a bar and g...
Swallows Rest
This beautiful, rural B&B with coastal views has highly individual bedrooms. Each is richly decorated and well equipped – ideal for any type of break. Public areas include a comfortable...
Pebble Bank Caravan Park
This site, although only one and a half miles from Weymouth, is in a peaceful location overlooking Chesil Beach and The Fleet, and is an excellent place to stay. The bar and restaurant ...
Crown Hotel
Crown Hotel is conveniently located adjacent to the old harbour and is ideal for shopping, local attractions and transportation links, including the ferry. Public areas include an exten...
The Beaufort Guesthouse
Just a few steps from the sandy beach, this friendly, family-run establishment is ideally located for a seaside break. Bedrooms are soundly appointed with all the necessary essentials, ...
Hotel Rex
Built as the summer residence for the Duke of Clarence, Hotel Rex benefits from a seafront location with stunning views across Weymouth Bay. Bedrooms, including several sea-facing rooms...
Littlesea Holiday Park
Just three miles from Weymouth with its lovely beaches and many attractions, Littlesea has a cheerful family atmosphere and fantastic facilities. Indoor and outdoor entertainment and ac...
Gloucester House
Located right in the heart of Weymouth, this elegant townhouse offers stylish, high quality, modern accommodation – many of the rooms benefit from uninterrupted sea views. Guests can en...
Places to eat nearby View all
