Portland Bill
Portland Bill is a narrow promontory (or bill) of Portland stone, which forms the most southerly part of Isle of Portland, and therefore also the county of Dorset. One of Portland's most popular destinations is the popular attraction of Portland Bill Lighthouse seen here, whilst Portland Bill is also noted for this rough coast.
The area of Portland Bill was once used for quarrying until the early years of the 20th century. The Portland Bill Lighthouse was built with stone from these quarries and the area was then finally abandoned. Even today, evidence of quarrying tramways can be found. In the storms of January 1990, the weather ripped out an area of cliff top to reveal old rails from the Victorian tramway where it curved round to meet Portland Bill's crane.
Portland had no road reaching to Portland Bill until one was built between the World Wars and visitors originally had to travel over a rough track. A small number of housing is found in the area, largely around the Old Lower Lighthouse, and the housing remains one of the most remote settlements in South Dorset.
Portland Bill as a "Raised Beach" - created during a warm inter-glacial climate change 200,000 years ago when sea levels were about 15 metres above present levels. A Coastguard station is also located close to Portland Bill.
During the total total eclipse of the sun in August 1999, the eclipse passed one kilometre off Portland Bill, where thousands of people travelled to the area for the experience.
Many beach huts are found in the Portland Bill area, and often sell for prices around £30,000. This is due to the modern planning regulations which were not in force when the huts were originally placed at Portland Bill.
Portland Bill Lighthouse is a functioning lighthouse, warning coastal traffic off of Portland Bill. The lighthouse and its boundary walls are Grade II Listed.
This is Portland's largest and most recent lighthouse, the Trinity House operated Portland Bill Lighthouse is distinctively white and red striped, standing at a height of 41 metres. It was completed by 1906 and first shone out on 11 January 1906. Originally, both the Old Higher Lighthouse and Old Lower Lighthouse were the two functioning lighthouses on the island, where both were opened in 1716 and continued to warn ships of the coast until 1906, when both were decommissioned. The Old Lower Lighthouse became a bird observatory whilst the Old Higher Lighthouse became the home of Marie Stopes, and today remains a holiday let.
The lighthouse was was built with stone from surrounding quarries at Portland Bill. The area was quarried for centuries until they were abandoned by the early years of the 20th century, following the lighthouse's counstruction.
Don't get too excited about the light and beam here as in reality this looked disapointingly dim against still fairly bright sky. This has been painted on post production. However beam did look this thin to my eyes being focussed by rotating lenses around the lamp.
To the left of the light house is the Trinity House Obelisk (also known as Trinity House Landmark) which is also a Grade II Listed Monument since 1978.
The 7 metre tall white stone obelisk was built in 1844 to warn ships of the rocks off the coast of Portland Bill during the daytime. It stands at the very Southern tip of the Bill, and also acts as a warning of the low shelf of rock extending 30 metres South into the sea.
The obelisk is made of high-quality Portland stone ashlar and is dated 1844 on its north face, with the panel inscribed "TH 1844". It is a three-sided tapering obelisk on high plinth and with pyramidal crown.
Portland Bill
Portland Bill is a narrow promontory (or bill) of Portland stone, which forms the most southerly part of Isle of Portland, and therefore also the county of Dorset. One of Portland's most popular destinations is the popular attraction of Portland Bill Lighthouse seen here, whilst Portland Bill is also noted for this rough coast.
The area of Portland Bill was once used for quarrying until the early years of the 20th century. The Portland Bill Lighthouse was built with stone from these quarries and the area was then finally abandoned. Even today, evidence of quarrying tramways can be found. In the storms of January 1990, the weather ripped out an area of cliff top to reveal old rails from the Victorian tramway where it curved round to meet Portland Bill's crane.
Portland had no road reaching to Portland Bill until one was built between the World Wars and visitors originally had to travel over a rough track. A small number of housing is found in the area, largely around the Old Lower Lighthouse, and the housing remains one of the most remote settlements in South Dorset.
Portland Bill as a "Raised Beach" - created during a warm inter-glacial climate change 200,000 years ago when sea levels were about 15 metres above present levels. A Coastguard station is also located close to Portland Bill.
During the total total eclipse of the sun in August 1999, the eclipse passed one kilometre off Portland Bill, where thousands of people travelled to the area for the experience.
Many beach huts are found in the Portland Bill area, and often sell for prices around £30,000. This is due to the modern planning regulations which were not in force when the huts were originally placed at Portland Bill.
Portland Bill Lighthouse is a functioning lighthouse, warning coastal traffic off of Portland Bill. The lighthouse and its boundary walls are Grade II Listed.
This is Portland's largest and most recent lighthouse, the Trinity House operated Portland Bill Lighthouse is distinctively white and red striped, standing at a height of 41 metres. It was completed by 1906 and first shone out on 11 January 1906. Originally, both the Old Higher Lighthouse and Old Lower Lighthouse were the two functioning lighthouses on the island, where both were opened in 1716 and continued to warn ships of the coast until 1906, when both were decommissioned. The Old Lower Lighthouse became a bird observatory whilst the Old Higher Lighthouse became the home of Marie Stopes, and today remains a holiday let.
The lighthouse was was built with stone from surrounding quarries at Portland Bill. The area was quarried for centuries until they were abandoned by the early years of the 20th century, following the lighthouse's counstruction.
Don't get too excited about the light and beam here as in reality this looked disapointingly dim against still fairly bright sky. This has been painted on post production. However beam did look this thin to my eyes being focussed by rotating lenses around the lamp.
To the left of the light house is the Trinity House Obelisk (also known as Trinity House Landmark) which is also a Grade II Listed Monument since 1978.
The 7 metre tall white stone obelisk was built in 1844 to warn ships of the rocks off the coast of Portland Bill during the daytime. It stands at the very Southern tip of the Bill, and also acts as a warning of the low shelf of rock extending 30 metres South into the sea.
The obelisk is made of high-quality Portland stone ashlar and is dated 1844 on its north face, with the panel inscribed "TH 1844". It is a three-sided tapering obelisk on high plinth and with pyramidal crown.