Rank : 9.0 (average on 2 votes)Coordinates : 50.514008, -2.456546 (
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Subjects : A stunning, rocky peninsular (an island, with a causeway) Portland Bill (also known as the Bill of Portland, Isle of Portland) is one of the best parts of the south coast Jurassic Coast and where Portland Stone, a very fine building limestone from the Tithonian stage of the Jurassic period was quarried. Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral (both, London) and the United Nations HQ in New York, used this stone, to name very very few!These quarries now lie mostly dormant, but next to amazing rocky cliffs and views out into the English Channel and back inland towards the Jurassic coast of Dorset. A number of pretty villages built from local stone have to be travelled through to reach the best part, the Portland Bill Lighthouse, still in constant operation and one of the most important and known (and impressive) lighthouses in the U.K.There are also amazing views over Chesil Beach from the rocky outcrop at the entrance to the Island. Chesil beach is a 29km long strand of shingle that curves around with an inlet between it and the land.
Recommended equipment : For the very serious landscape photographer, this location can be heaven! You can go from huge tripod bound medium format cameras with professional Lee filter systems to get amazing sunrise/sunset time exposures of the coast, or anything else downward, according to your budget, seriousness and ability! But, as I managed this last summer, an ultrawide angle lens with a polariser filter can get you amazing shots.
Best months : As this island sticks right out into the sea, it can get very wild weather at all times of the year, but especially in winter. It can also be quite a dangerous place, for both equipment and walkers, with cliffs and rocks to fall from (to your death) - this location can be formidable, I warn you! As I could only get there by train and bus, the very tip, where the lighthouse is, is only served by bus in the summer (May to September) but those driving can go anytime but I would suggest going (at least initially) when the weather is better and even in summer when I went, the photo opportunities are excellent.
How to get there : Weymouth is the local town and gateway to Portland Bill, the A354 is the main road to follow.Weymouth (also worth visiting) is accessible by train (from London, via Bournemouth) and is roughly midway along the south coast Jurassic Coast, with improved road access to the rest of the country since Weymouth was used during the 2012 Olympic Games for sailing events. Either way, it's still quite a journey, however you get there, but well worth it.
Visits : There is a small museum at Easton (£3.50/4.50 E?), otherwise there are no other formal visitor attractions on the Island but the carpark at the Lighthouse will charge, as is usual, but otherwise, get on your walking boots - and explore!
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