Portland Bill Lighthouse

Portland Bill and Chesil Beach are sadly the graveyards of many vessels that failed to reach Weymouth or Portland Roads, which while of course sad does tend to inspire the kids when learning about the historically essential nature of lighthouses! Strong currents still break the sea so fiercely here that from the shore a continuous bubbling disturbance can be seen… The brave folks of Portland Bill Lighthouse until 1996 guided vessels heading for Portland and Weymouth through these hazardous waters, plus acted as a waymark for ships navigating the English Channel.

Trinity House has recently renovated the Visitor Centre at Portland Bill Lighthouse and the impressive new main exhibit allows you and the kids to learn all about the lighthouse and its keepers. The new exhibition contains several interactive displays and historical artefacts and also offers the opportunity to brave a stormy sea journey in the exhilarating zone called ‘Into The Dark'. Eek! Plus find out about Trinity House, the organisation that runs the lighthouse and interesting history - like in 1798, when Napoleon threatened invasion, 2 18lb cannons were installed at the lighthouse ready to do battle if required!

Visitors with good knees on them can also climb the lighthouse and enjoy the view for miles along the beautiful Dorset and Jurassic Coastlines and out to treacherous Portland Race.

Portland Bill Lighthouse is located on the Southerly tip of the Isle of Portland, 1.2 miles south of the village of Easton; there are a number of car parks very close to the lighthouse.