Portland Bill Lighthouse — Attraction in Portland

Portland Bill is quite literally a place like no other. Combining all the weird and wonderful aspects of the Isle, here you can roam freely over large, open stretches of land set to a backdrop of fishermen’s huts, spectacular lighthouses x 2, and rocky shoreline that make up this unique part of the Jurassic Coast. You have the lobster pot next door. Fresh home cook food. Weekends can be hard getting a table. Pletty seating outside, but got watch out for the seagulls. Sells wippy ice cream, cream teas and fish and chips, with pletty lunch menu.

You’ll also find the famous Pulpit Rock – an instantly recognisable stack and relic of quarrying at the site, formed in the 1870s when quarrymen cut away a natural arch. The Trinity House Obelisk, too, stands proud at the very tip of the island – built in 1844 as a warning to ships.

The waters off “the Bill” are as spectacular as they are treacherous – on a stormy day, waves smash into the coastline in dramatic fashion. Even in calmer conditions, there are strong currents at play – Portland’s tidal race is notoriously difficult to navigate, and the waters from here to Chesil beach  are known as something of a “ships graveyard”.

Not too far along from the main lighthouse, you’ll notice the red crane – used in the 19th and early 20th centuries to help workers ship Portland stone off of the island, the newer steel crane is still in use today, helping fisherman lower their boats into the water.



Portland Bill Lighthouse

The famous red and white lighthouse stands 41 metres tall and was built in 1906 to warn boats of the dangerous coastline. The lighthouse, fully automated since 1996, is a truly spectacular sight by day or night, and is open as a visitor attraction along with the former lighthouse keepers’ dwellings.

There are two older lighthouses a short distance away, which can still be seen today (from the outside at least). These date back all the way back to 1716 and used to work as a pair prior to their replacement by the current lighthouse.

The Old Lower Lighthouse is now the home of the Portland Bird Observatory (since 1961) and the Old Higher Lighthouse has been lovingly converted into holiday cottages.

Wildlife

Portland Bill is regularly visited by dolphins, seals and a wide range of birds. The combination of cliffs and greenery ensure that a variety of seabirds and migratory birds can be seen all year round. The site is also popular with a number of birds of prey including short-eared owls and peregrine falcons. Even the occasional puffin has been sighted!

Wild flowers grow along the cliff edge and brighten up the scene with bursts of colour. Bluebells, Golden Samphire, Portland Sea-Lavender and Sea Pinks (thrift), just to mention a few, can all be found at various times of the year.

The open land and vegetation encourages other wildlife, too – more than 28 species of butterfly can be seen at Portland Bill, some of which are extremely rare elsewhere in the country.

In the 15th century, Portland Bill used to be called the “Beel” on maps due to its beak-like shape.

There are 163 steps that lead to the top of the current lighthouse (completely worth it – you won’t forget the views).

Beware of the legend that is “Roy Dog”! A shaggy black dog as tall as a man, with one eye of green and one of red. Legend has it that this mysterious creature dwells in “Cave Hole”.

With the island acting as a wind funnel, along with the ‘race’ of tides (the collision of two currents) – this is one of the best spots in the UK to experience stormy seas.

In summary, Portland Bill is an unmissable experience – there’s so much to discover – gorgeous scenery, fascinating history including portlandstone, many come bird watching, spectacular wildlife including seal's,, dolphins and much...

Dramatic, Windswept, Exposed, Terrifying, Interesting and Unique. It's all very butt clenchingly exciting and exhilarating as you come face to face with the full power of the sea and mother nature.

Portland Bill is a massive rock in the sea with a sloping rock against it that people climb up. I had no desire to climb on top of the slippery Bill, why would you? A plaque on the climbing rock says something like "don't climb it because idiots won't be rescued" to paraphrase. It appears that locals periodically fill the climbing footholes with concrete, just to make it even more dangerous. The lighthouse looks interesting, but we passed on the £8 ticket to climb it, given the sea fog and 10m visibility that day.

Love how the whole landscape is open to the public, with no steps, handrails or access points. You scramble down the rocks, looking out for obstacles or collapsing sections. Every rock is full of fossils and jagged razor sharp sea shells. The kids were scratched and bleeding within two minutes on site. At every turn you could fall into the sea to be dashed against the rocks. Or fall down a hole into a deep gully to be dashed against the rocks. Or lose a dog/child down an easy to miss foot wide crack with waves crashing 20 feet below where they would be dashed against the rocks.

Four years ago we followed a narrow stone path, formed by erroded layers of rock. It went from Bill and around the waters edge for a hundred yards. That has now collapsed into the sea, no doubt causing some tourists to be dashed against the rocks.

Not a lifeguard, rescue station or even a floating ring within two miles, so you're on a one way trip to a watery grave in pretty much every direction. All adds to the fun though, keep an eye on...

Stunning Views, Rich History, and Outstanding Service!

This lighthouse is a must-see, especially for those interested in lighthouses, maritime history, or stunning coastal scenery. Here's what to consider for your visit:

Climbable Lighthouse: They offer a fantastic climb to the light section with incredible views. However, the final ascent requires climbing a steep ladder. This might be challenging for young children or those with limited mobility.

Informative Tour: The guided tour provides fascinating explanations of the lighthouse's history and operation.

Ample Parking: The car park has plenty of space, making it convenient to arrive and leave.

Gift Shop: There's a nice souvenir shop where you can find mementos of your visit.

Exceptional Service: We arrived a few minutes before closing time, but after a quick call, the staff kindly waited for us to ensure we could still enjoy the tour.

Plan on spending roughly an hour to fully explore the lighthouse and enjoy the tour.

For families with young children: While the views and history are engaging, keep in mind the final climb to the light requires a steep ladder.

Overall, the friendly and accommodating staff and the informative tour make this a great visit. Just be mindful of the climbing requirement for the...