Itinerary #7 - The Isle of Portland but erosion-resistant, stone has been much used in London and elsewhere for centuries. Extraction continues today, mostly by mining, Crown copyright and not open cast quarrying. The 2 numerous abandoned quarries are 1 now given over to nature. Many limestone-loving plants and in- 3 sects thrive here. These include 4 Portland Sea-lavender and Spurge as well as rare butterflies such as 10 the Adonis, Chalkhill and Sil- 6 ver-studded Blues. 9 5 Portland Harbour was developed into a huge, sprawling naval base 7 by the Royal Navy between 1860 and 1892. This took over a large 8 part of the north of the Isle for the gun batteries, harbour works, accommodation blocks, workers’ housing and the essential HM Prison. Vast quarries were opened up to supply the stone for the The Isle of Portland (popn. forts, piers and breakwaters. The 2011, 12,844) is 4mi (6km) long harbour proved untenable in both Isle of Portland by 1.5mi (2.5km) wide. Until WWI and WWII and was aban- 1839 the only access was by a small doned completely by the Royal ferry over the Fleet estuary, or by Navy in 1999. 1. The Isle of Portland 190 sea. As a result the Portlanders Portland Sheep 197 had an island culture, and referred Portland Bill was a major hazard 2. Portland Harbour 192 to incomers as “kimberlin”. Mulberry Harbour 105 for shipping due to its tide race and associated eddies. The Shambles, Osprey Quay 104 From Saxon times until the 19th a large sandbank to the southeast, Sailing Academy 105, 190 century Portland was a Royal claimed many ships. Lyme Bay, Portland Castle 190 Manor, under the Crown and not with its adverse currents, was also 3. Fortuneswell 191 the local authority. The ancient a serious danger for sailing ships. Verne Viewpoint 191 system of land tenure still holds The first two lights were lit in 1716 4. Verne Citadel 192 today in Southwell, where narrow and replaced by the present tower Verne High Angle 193 strips of land can be seen fenced off in 1906. 5. Easton 194 near Portland Bill. St George’s Church 195 The southern tip of Portland re- Portland Museum 194 Portland Sheep (page 197) were mains much as it has for centuries, Church Ope Cove 195 once the main agricultural prod- with its field system of , Rufus Castle 195 uct, both for their fine wool and ex- “lawnsheds” small coastal quarries and a gener- Pennsylvania Castle 195 ceptional meat. By the mid 1800s al lack of development. It seems a 6. Broadcroft Quarry 198 over 4,000 lambs were exported world apart from the now-aban- 7. Culverwell 196 every year. The last flock was sold doned 19th century military in- 8. Portland Bill 196 in 1920, and the breed nearly died stallations and their associated Bird Observatory 196 out but is once more in demand sprawling quarries. The South 9. Weston 195 and no longer threatened. Blacknor 195 West Coast Path circumnavigates the Isle of Portland, taking in the 10. Tout Quarry 198 Quarrying for Portland Stone has Portland Heights viewpoint and been a major industry here since Portland Bill. Roman times. This easily worked, Dorset Guide Book 1st edition by Charles Tait 342.