View source for Isle of Portland

{{Short description|Tied island in Dorset, England}}

{{Use British English|date=August 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox UK place
 | official_name            = Isle of Portland
 | static_image_2_name      = Portland.svg
 | static_image_2_width     = 150
 | static_image_2_caption   = Flag of the Isle of Portland
 | static_image_name        = File:Isle of Portland from north.jpg
 | static_image_caption     = The Isle of Portland viewed from Portland Harbour
 | coordinates              = {{coord|50.550|-2.440|display=inline,title}}
 | population               = 13,417
 | population_ref           = (2021 est.)<ref name="dorsetinsight">{{cite web |title=Statistics and census information. Area profile for Portland. State of Dorset 2021 report for the Dorset Council area |language=en |url=https://mapping.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/statistics-and-insights/AreaProfiles/Town/portland |publisher=[[Dorset Council (UK)|Dorset]] Insight |year=2021 |access-date=26 September 2022 |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128075545/https://mapping.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/statistics-and-insights/AreaProfiles/Town/portland |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | os_grid_reference        = SY690721
 | london_distance          = {{convert|121|mi}} [[Points of the compass|NE]]
 | civil_parish             = Portland
 | unitary_england          = [[Dorset (unitary authority)|Dorset]]
 | lieutenancy_england      = [[Dorset]]
 | region                   = South West England
 | country                  = England
 | post_town                = PORTLAND
 | postcode_area            = DT
 | postcode_district        = DT5
 | dial_code                = 01305
 | constituency_westminster = [[South Dorset (UK Parliament constituency)|South Dorset]]
}}

The '''Isle of Portland''' is a [[tied island]], {{convert|6|km|mi|0}} long by {{convert|2.7|km|mi|1}} wide, in the [[English Channel]].<ref name="Isle of Portland">{{cite web | year = 2015 | url = https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/471189/Isle-of-Portland | title = Isle of Portland | publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica | access-date = 27 April 2015 | archive-date = 18 September 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130918072806/https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/471189/Isle-of-Portland | url-status = live }}</ref> The southern tip, Portland Bill, lies {{convert|8|km|mi|0}} south of the resort of [[Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth]], forming the southernmost point of the county of [[Dorset]], England. A [[barrier beach]] called [[Chesil Beach]] joins Portland with mainland [[England]]. The [[A354 road]] passes down the Portland end of the beach and then over the [[Fleet Lagoon]] by bridge to the mainland. The population of Portland is 13,417.<ref name="dorsetinsight" />

Portland is a central part of the [[Jurassic Coast]], a [[World Heritage Site]] on the Dorset and east [[Devon]] coast, important for its geology and landforms. [[Portland stone]], a [[limestone]] famous for its use in British and world architecture, including [[St Paul's Cathedral]] and the [[United Nations Headquarters]], continues to be quarried here.

[[Portland Harbour]], in between Portland and Weymouth, is one of the largest man-made harbours in the world. The harbour was made by the building of stone [[breakwater (structure)|breakwater]]s between 1848 and 1905. From its inception it was a [[Royal Navy]] base, and played prominent roles during [[World War I|the First]] and [[World War II|Second World Wars]]; ships of the Royal Navy and [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization|NATO]] countries worked up and exercised in its waters until 1995. The harbour is now a civilian port and popular recreation area, and was used for the [[2012 Olympic Games]].

The name Portland is used for one of the [[British Sea Areas]], and is the namesake of [[Portland (disambiguation)|several cities]], such as [[Portland, Victoria]], and [[Portland, Maine]], which in turn inspired the name of [[Portland, Oregon]]. The name is also used for [[Portland Street|a street in Kowloon, Hong Kong]], and [[Portland Parish|a parish in Jamaica]].

== History ==

Portland has been inhabited since at least the [[Mesolithic]] period (the Middle [[Stone Age]])—there is archaeological evidence of Mesolithic inhabitants at the [[Culverwell Mesolithic Site]], near [[Portland Bill]],<ref name="Mesolithic">{{cite web | year = 2002 | url = http://www.gallica.co.uk/celts/portland.htm | title = Mesolithic Site, Portland | publisher = Association for Portland Archaeology | access-date = 30 July 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070609212653/http://www.gallica.co.uk/celts/portland.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 9 June 2007}}</ref> and of habitation since then. The Romans occupied Portland, reputedly calling it ''Vindelis''.<ref name="vindelis">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.uni-mannheim.de/mateo/camenaref/hofmann/hof4/s0773b.html | title = Lexicon Universale | publisher = Universität Mannheim | access-date = 3 April 2007 | archive-date = 3 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222352/http://www.uni-mannheim.de/mateo/camenaref/hofmann/hof4/s0773b.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Portland stone" />

Although the beginning of the [[Viking Age]] in England is dated to their raid in 793,<ref name="English Heritage">{{cite web |url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/lindisfarne-priory/history/ |title=History of Lindisfarne Priory |publisher=English Heritage |access-date=2016-03-03 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307112329/http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/lindisfarne-priory/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Swanton">Swanton, Michael (1998). ''The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle''. Psychology Press. {{ISBN|0-415-92129-5}}. p. 57, n. 15.</ref> when they destroyed the [[abbey]] on [[Lindisfarne]], their first documented landing occurred in Portland four years earlier, in 789, as recorded in the ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]''.{{verify source|date=August 2023|reason=The link to the chronicle doesn't mention Portland.}}<ref>[https://archive.org/details/oldenglishchroni00gileuoft/page/n37/mode/2up Chronicon Æthelweardi, p. 19]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://saxons.etrusia.co.uk/vikings_invasions.php|title=What spurred the Viking invasions?|work=Saxons and Vikings in Britain|access-date=3 October 2014|archive-date=16 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016051900/http://saxons.etrusia.co.uk/vikings_invasions.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Lavelle | first = Ryan | title = Alfred's Wars: Sources and Interpretations of Anglo-Saxon Warfare in the Viking Age | url = {{Google books | id = Adn2JCYnwRwC  | page = 4A | plainurl = yes}} | page = 4}}</ref> Three lost Viking ships from [[Hordaland]] (the district around [[Hardanger]] fjord in west [[Norway]]) landed at Portland Bill. The king's [[Reeve (England)|reeve]] tried to collect taxes from them, but they killed him and sailed on.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/viking_attacklist.html?showall=1|title=Viking Attacks|website=web.cn.edu|access-date=14 February 2016|archive-date=1 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101055729/https://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/viking_attacklist.html?showall=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

A castle on the site of the present [[Rufus Castle]], standing over [[Church Ope Cove]], may have been built for [[William II of England]] (also known as William Rufus) soon after the conquest of England by his father [[William the Conqueror]]. None of that castle remains; the existing castle probably dates from the 15th century.

[[Image:Uk dor portcastle.JPG|thumb|left|325px|[[Portland Castle]] was built to defend Portland in the 16th century.]]
In 1539 [[Henry VIII|King Henry VIII]] ordered the construction of [[Portland Castle]] for defence against attacks by the French; the castle cost £4,964<ref name="portlandcastle">{{cite web | year = 2000 | url = http://www.thedorsetpage.com/locations/Place/P120.htm | title = Portland, Dorset, England | publisher = The Dorset Page | access-date = 26 July 2007 | archive-date = 12 July 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070712070514/http://www.thedorsetpage.com/locations/Place/P120.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref> (equivalent to £{{Format price|{{Inflation|UK|4964|1539}}}} in {{inflation/year|UK}}{{Inflation/fn|UK}}). It is one of the best preserved castles from this period, and is opened to the public by the custodians [[English Heritage]].<ref name="englishheritage">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.15746 | title = Portland Castle | publisher = English Heritage | access-date = 30 July 2007 | archive-date = 13 August 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200813090333/https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.15746 | url-status = live }}</ref>

In the 17th century, chief architect and Surveyor-General to James I, [[Inigo Jones]], surveyed the area and introduced the local [[Portland stone]] to London, using it in his [[Banqueting House, Whitehall]], and for repairs on [[Old St Paul's Cathedral#Restoration work (1621–1666)|Old St Paul's Cathedral]].<ref name="RhodesStone2013">{{cite book|first1=Frank H. T.|last1=Rhodes|first2=Richard O.|last2=Stone|title=Language of the Earth|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Rq_fBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA261 |year=2013|publisher=Elsevier|isbn=978-1-4831-6166-2|page=261}}</ref> His successor, Sir [[Christopher Wren]], an architect and the Member of Parliament for nearby Weymouth, used six million tons of white Portland limestone to rebuild destroyed parts of the capital after the [[Great Fire of London]] of 1666. Well-known buildings in the capital, including St Paul's Cathedral<ref name="st paul's">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.stpauls.co.uk/page.aspx?theLang=001lngdef&pointerid=32207NnDnfjeCGJ1g2bvy1Jt3FI0gUAP | title = 1710&nbsp;– Construction is Completed | publisher = Dean and Chapter St Paul's | access-date = 3 April 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928083501/http://www.stpauls.co.uk/page.aspx?theLang=001lngdef&pointerid=32207NnDnfjeCGJ1g2bvy1Jt3FI0gUAP |archive-date = 28 September 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the eastern front of [[Buckingham Palace]] feature the stone.<ref name="buckinghampalace">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page568.asp | title = Buckingham Palace History | publisher = HM Queen Elizabeth II | access-date = 3 April 2007 | archive-date = 7 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090207025310/http://www.royal.gov.uk/OutPut/Page568.asp | url-status = live }}</ref> After the First World War, a [[quarry]] was opened by [[The Crown Estate]] to provide stone for the [[The Cenotaph|Cenotaph]] in [[Whitehall]] and half a million gravestones for war cemeteries,<ref name="Portland stone">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.dorsets.co.uk/Portland/ | title = Portland—Dorset | publisher = Dorset Guide | access-date = 3 April 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070505011524/http://www.dorsets.co.uk/Portland/ | archive-date = 5 May 2007 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref> and after the Second World War hundreds of thousands of gravestones were hewn for soldiers who had fallen on the [[Western Front (World War II)|Western Front]].<ref name="Portland stone" /> [[Portland cement]] has nothing to do with Portland; it was so named due to its similar colour to Portland stone when mixed with lime and sand.<ref name="cement">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.cement.org/basics/concretebasics_history.asp | title = History & Manufacture of Portland Cement | publisher = Portland Cement Association | access-date = 26 July 2007 | archive-date = 23 October 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131023190304/http://www.cement.org/basics/concretebasics_history.asp | url-status = live }}</ref>

[[File:Porland island map1937.jpg|thumb|right|A map of the Isle of Portland from 1937, showing the railway to [[Easton, Dorset|Easton]]]]
There have been railways in Portland since the early 19th century. The [[Merchant's Railway]] was the earliest—it opened in 1826 (one year after the [[Stockton and Darlington railway]]) and ran from the quarries at the north of [[Tophill]] to a pier at [[Castletown, Dorset|Castletown]], from where the Portland stone was shipped around the country.<ref name="railways">{{cite web | year = 2005 | url = http://www.johnrnew.demon.co.uk/weyrails.htm | title = Railways of the Weymouth area | publisher = Island Publishing | access-date = 26 July 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070403155729/http://www.johnrnew.demon.co.uk/weyrails.htm | archive-date = 3 April 2007 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Portland, an illustrated History">{{cite web | year = 2016 | url = http://www.dovecotepress.com/?product=portland-an-illustrated-historystuart-morris | last = Morris | first = Stuart | title = Portland, an Illustrated History | publisher = The Dovecote Press | access-date = 10 October 2016 | archive-date = 4 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190404020912/https://www.dovecotepress.com/?product=portland-an-illustrated-historystuart-morris | url-status = live }}</ref>  The [[Portland Branch Railway|Weymouth and Portland Railway]] was laid in 1865, and ran from a station in [[Melcombe Regis]], across the Fleet and along the low isthmus behind Chesil Beach to a station at [[Victoria Square, Portland|Victoria Square]] in [[Chiswell]].<ref name="railways2">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/main.asp?svid=351 | title = Weymouth to Portland Railway, Construction and growth | publisher = Weymouth & Portland Borough Council | access-date = 26 July 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071008013056/http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/main.asp?svid=351 |archive-date = 8 October 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the end of the 19th century the line was extended to the top of the island as the Easton and Church Ope Railway, running through Castletown and ascending the cliffs at East Weares, to loop back north to a station in [[Easton, Dorset|Easton]].<ref name="railways" /> The line closed to passengers in 1952, and the final goods train (and two passenger 'specials') ran in April 1965.<ref name="railways2" />

The [[Royal National Lifeboat Institution|Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck]] stationed a [[Lifeboat (rescue)|lifeboat]] at Portland in 1826, which was withdrawn in 1851.<ref>{{cite book |last= Denton |first= Tony |title= Handbook 2009 |year= 2009 |publisher= Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society |location= Shrewsbury |page= 59 }}</ref> [[Coastal flooding]] has affected Portland's residents and transport for centuries—the only way off the island by land is along the causeway in the lee of Chesil Beach. At times of extreme floods (about every 10 years) this road link is cut by floods. The low-lying village of [[Chiswell]] used to flood on average every 5 years. Chesil Beach occasionally faces severe storms and massive waves, which have a [[fetch (geography)|fetch]] across the Atlantic Ocean.<ref name="flooding">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://content.swgfl.org.uk/jurassic/chis10.htm | title = Chiswell case study: The Scheme | publisher = Jurassic Coast | access-date = 27 July 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140320175647/http://content.swgfl.org.uk/jurassic/chis10.htm | archive-date = 20 March 2014 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Following two severe flood events in the 1970s, [[Weymouth and Portland]] Borough Council and [[Wessex Water]] decided to investigate the structure of the beach, and [[coastal management]] schemes that could be built to protect Chiswell and the beach road. In the 1980s it was agreed that a scheme to provide storm protection with a 20% [[return period|annual exceedance probability]] to reduce flood depth and duration in more severe storms.<ref name="flooding"/> [[Coastal management#Hard construction techniques|Hard engineering]] techniques were employed in the scheme, including a [[gabion]] running {{convert|550|m|yd|-1}}<ref name="gabion">{{cite web | year = 2013 | url = http://test.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/Chiswell_Gabions_LL_Factsheet_aug12.pdf | title = Chiswell Gabions Flood Alleviation Scheme | publisher = Environment Agency | access-date = 20 March 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140320172310/http://test.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/Chiswell_Gabions_LL_Factsheet_aug12.pdf | archive-date = 20 March 2014 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> to the north of Chiswell, an extended [[sea wall]] in [[Chesil Cove]], and a [[culvert]] running from inside the beach, underneath the beach road and into [[Portland Harbour]], to divert flood water away from low-lying areas.<ref name="flooding"/>

[[Image:uk dor portharbour.JPG|thumb|right|Portland Harbour was home to the [[Royal Navy]]. Their former [[barracks]] are in the foreground.]]

At the start of the First World War, [[HMS Hood (1891)|HMS ''Hood'']] was sunk in the passage between the southern breakwaters to protect the harbour from torpedo and submarine attack.<ref name="HMShood">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/hms_hood.htm | title = Turret Battleship, HMS Hood | publisher = Cranston Fine Arts | access-date = 26 July 2007 | archive-date = 12 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162530/https://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/hms_hood.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Portland Harbour]] was formed (1848–1905) by the construction of breakwaters, but before that the natural anchorage had hosted ships of the [[Royal Navy]] for more than 500 years. It was "the home of the Asdics,"<ref>Winston S. Churchill, ''The Second World War'', vol. 1, ''The Gathering Storm'' (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1948), p. 501.</ref> a centre for Admiralty research into [[asdic]] submarine detection and underwater weapons from 1917 to 1998; the shore base [[HMS Serepta]] was renamed [[RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey)|HMS Osprey]] in 1927.<ref name="serepta">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.helis.com/database/?menu=2&tpais=UK&tbase=33&menudiv=1 | title = Portland Base/Heliport History | publisher = helis.com | access-date = 28 July 2007 | archive-date = 12 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162915/https://www.helis.com/database/?menu=2&tpais=UK&tbase=33&menudiv=1 | url-status = live }}</ref> During the Second World War Portland was the target of 48 air raids and a total of 532 bombs, although most warships had moved north as Portland was within enemy striking range across the Channel.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2012/10/danger-uxb/|last=Mutch|first=Roger|date=October 2012|title=Danger UXB – Portland's World War 2 UneXploded Bomb|magazine=Dorset Life|access-date=23 August 2020|archive-date=27 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127014835/http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2012/10/danger-uxb/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mulberry Harbour]] Phoenix Units can be seen at Black Barge beach, near [[Portland Castle]]. Portland was a major embarkation point for Allied forces on [[Normandy landings|D-Day]] in 1944. Early [[helicopter]]s were stationed at Portland in 1946–1948, and in 1959 a shallow tidal flat, The Mere, was infilled, and sports fields taken to form a heliport. The station was formally commissioned as HMS Osprey, which then became the largest and busiest military helicopter station in Europe. The base was gradually improved with additional landing areas and one of England's shortest runways, at {{convert|229|m|ft|0}}.<ref name="serepta" />

The naval base closed after the end of the [[Cold War]] in 1995, and the Royal Naval Air Station closed in 1999, although the runway remained in use for [[Her Majesty's Coastguard]] Search and Rescue flights as MRCC Portland<ref name="serepta" /> until 2014.<ref>{{cite web | year = 2014 | url = http://www.mby.com/news/portland-coastguard-centre-to-close-next-month-mca-confirms-40749 | title = Portland Coastguard centre to close next month, MCA confirms | publisher = mby.com | access-date = 16 May 2018 | archive-date = 17 May 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180517082224/http://www.mby.com/news/portland-coastguard-centre-to-close-next-month-mca-confirms-40749 | url-status = live }}</ref> MRCC Portland's area of responsibility extended midway across the [[English Channel]], and from [[Start Point, Devon|Start Point]] in Devon to the Dorset/[[Hampshire]] border, covering an area of around {{convert|10400|km2|sqmi|-2}}.<ref name="coastguard">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.beercoastguard.org/coastguard_rescue_helicoper.htm | title = Coastguard Rescue Helicopter | publisher = Beer Coastguard | access-date = 28 July 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930140301/http://www.beercoastguard.org/coastguard_rescue_helicoper.htm |archive-date = 30 September 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 12 Search and Rescue teams in the Portland area dealt with almost 1000 incidents in 2005.<ref name="mrccportland">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-dops-regional/eastern-region/mcga-dops_rr_east_regional-eastern-region-solent.htm | title = Eastern Region&nbsp;– Area South | publisher = [[Maritime and Coastguard Agency]] | access-date = 28 July 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070806080135/http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-dops-regional/eastern-region/mcga-dops_rr_east_regional-eastern-region-solent.htm | archive-date = 6 August 2007 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Portland lends its name to one of the [[BBC]]'s [[Shipping Forecast]] regions.

There are still two prisons on Portland: [[The Verne (HM Prison)|HMP The Verne]], which until 1949 was a Victorian military fortress, and a Young Offenders' Institution ([[HMYOI]]) on the Grove clifftop.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.justice.gov.uk/contacts/prison-finder/portland |title=HMP/YOI Portland information |publisher=Justice.gov.uk |access-date=2018-04-16 |archive-date=24 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424171958/http://www.justice.gov.uk/contacts/prison-finder/portland |url-status=live }}</ref> This was the original prison ([[HM Prison Portland]]) built for convicts who quarried stone for the Portland Breakwaters from 1848. For a few years until 2005 Britain's only [[prison ship]], [[Weare (HM Prison)|HMP ''The Weare'']], was berthed in the harbour.<ref>{{cite web |first=Steven |last=Morris |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/aug/12/ukcrime.prisonsandprobation |title=Britain's only prison ship ends up on the beach &#124; UK news |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 August 2005 |access-date=2018-04-16 |archive-date=16 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416200510/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/aug/12/ukcrime.prisonsandprobation |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:DorsetWeymouthPortland.png|thumb|left|[[Weymouth and Portland]] shown in Dorset]]

== Governance ==
[[File:Portland Community Venue.jpg|thumb|Portland Community Venue, Three Yards Close, Fortuneswell]]
There are two tiers of local government covering Portland, at [[civil parish|parish]] (town) and [[Unitary authorities in England|unitary authority]] level: Portland Town Council and [[Dorset Council (UK)|Dorset Council]]. The town council is based at the Portland Community Venue, a converted school in Fortuneswell.<ref>{{cite web |title=Portland Town Council |url=https://portlandtowncouncil.gov.uk/community |access-date=8 August 2024}}</ref>

Since the [[2019 structural changes to local government in England|2019 structural changes to local government]], Portland is in the [[Dorset (unitary authority)|Dorset unitary authority]], administered by [[Dorset Council (UK)|Dorset Council]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Your Councillors |url=https://moderngov.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021214002/https://moderngov.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |archive-date=21 October 2020 |access-date=20 October 2020 |website=Dorset Council}}</ref> The whole island forms [[Portland (ward)|Portland ward]] which is one of the 52 wards and elects three members to the council.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Area profile for Portland - Dorset Council |url=https://gi.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/insights/AreaProfiles/Ward/portland |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=gi.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk}}</ref>

Portland is an ancient [[royal manor]], and until the 19th century was a separate [[Liberty (division)|liberty]], with certain judicial functions for the isle held separately from the rest of Dorset.<ref>{{cite web |title=Isle of Portland Liberty |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10204460 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=8 August 2024}}</ref> The whole isle was also an [[ancient parish]]; the original parish church was [[St Andrew's Church, Portland|St Andrew's]] at [[Church Ope Cove]] on the east side of the island, which was replaced by [[St George's Church, Portland|St George's Church]] in the eighteenth century after St Andrew's was damaged by landslips. The isle was gradually divided into smaller [[ecclesiastical parish]]es, but remained a single [[civil parish]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Portland Ancient Parish / Civil Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10456794#tab02 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=8 August 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Former Portland Town Council Offices.jpg|thumb|Yew Tree House, 3 Fortuneswell: Council offices 1934–2016]]
The parish was made a [[Local board of health#Local Government Act 1858|local government district]] in 1867, governed by an elected local board. Such districts were reconstituted as [[Urban district (England and Wales)|urban districts]] in 1894.<ref>{{cite book |title=Kelly's Directory of Dorset |date=1911 |page=164 |url=https://specialcollections.le.ac.uk/digital/collection/p16445coll4/id/56361/rec/2 |access-date=8 August 2024}}</ref> In 1933/1934, Portland Urban District Council built itself a new headquarters at 3 Fortuneswell.

Portland Urban District was abolished in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]] to become part of the borough of [[Weymouth and Portland]]. A [[successor parish]] was created for the former urban district, with its council taking the name Portland Town Council. The town council continued to be based at the old urban district council's building at Fortuneswell until 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=Portland Town Council offices at Fortuneswell to turn into 12 flats following North Quay ruling |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/16218223.portland-town-council-offices-at-fortuneswell-to-turn-into-12-flats-following-north-quay-ruling/ |access-date=8 August 2024 |work=Dorset Echo |date=11 May 2018}}</ref>

In 2019, the borough of Weymouth and Portland was abolished when Dorset moved to a [[unitary authority]] structure of local government.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-47748935 |title=New councils take control in Dorset |work=BBC News |date=1 April 2019 |access-date=19 October 2021 |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518103626/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-47748935 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Portland forms part of the [[South Dorset]] [[United Kingdom constituencies|parliamentary constituency]], created in 1885. The constituency elects one Member of Parliament; the current MP is [[Lloyd Hatton]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]).

Weymouth and Portland have been twinned with the town of [[Holzwickede]] in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany since 1986,<ref name="holzwickede">{{cite web | year = 2007 | language = de | url = http://testholzwickede.kdvz.de/erleben/kultur_sport_freizeit/sp_auto_424.php | title = Städtepartnerschaften in Holzwickede | publisher = Gemeinde Holzwickede | access-date = 15 December 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071224200246/http://testholzwickede.kdvz.de/erleben/kultur_sport_freizeit/sp_auto_424.php |archive-date = 24 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the French town of [[Louviers]], in the [[departments of France|department]] of [[Eure]] in Normandy, since 1959.<ref name="louviers">{{cite web | year = 2007 | language = fr | url = http://www.ville-louviers.fr/ville/associations/jumelages/anglais/jum-anglais.htm | title = Associations de jumelage | publisher = Ville de Louviers | access-date = 15 December 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071224201120/http://www.ville-louviers.fr/ville/associations/jumelages/anglais/jum-anglais.htm | archive-date = 24 December 2007 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> The borough and nearby [[Chickerell]] have been a [[Fairtrade Zone]] since 2007.<ref name="fairtrade">{{cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/living/community/pages/fairtrade/home.asp?svid=982 | title = Weymouth & Portland: a Fairtrade Zone | publisher = Weymouth & Portland Borough Council | access-date = 7 March 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071029080021/http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/living/community/pages/fairtrade/home.asp?svid=982 |archive-date = 29 October 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[Image:Underhill, Portland.jpg|right|thumb|Terraced Portland Stone houses in [[Villages of Portland#Fortuneswell|Fortuneswell, Underhill]]]]
[[Image:PortlandBill&ChesilBeach.jpg|thumb|Isle of Portland from the air]][[Image:Isleofportland.jpg|thumb|Isle of Portland from Chesil Beach]]
The Isle of Portland lies in the [[English Channel]], {{convert|3|km|mi|0}} south of [[Wyke Regis]], and {{convert|200|km|mi|abbr=on}} west-southwest of London, at {{coord|50|33|0|N|2|26|24|W| region:GB_type:city}} (50.55,&nbsp;−2.44). Portland is situated approximately halfway along the [[UNESCO]] [[Jurassic Coast]] [[World Heritage Site]]; the site includes {{convert|153|km|mi|0}} of the Dorset and east Devon coast that is important for its geology and landforms.<ref name="jurassiccoast">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.jurassiccoast.com/279/visiting-the-coast-31/gateway-towns-146/portland-447.html | title = Portland | publisher = [[Jurassic Coast]] | access-date = 29 December 2007 | archive-date = 14 September 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070914093701/http://www.jurassiccoast.com/279/visiting-the-coast-31/gateway-towns-146/portland-447.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The [[South West Coast Path]] runs around the coast; it is the United Kingdom's longest [[Long-distance footpaths in the UK|national trail]] at {{convert|1014|km|mi|0}}. Portland is unusual as it is connected to the mainland at [[Abbotsbury]] by [[Chesil Beach]], a [[tombolo]] which runs {{convert|29|km|mi|0}} north-west to [[West Bay, Dorset|West Bay]].<ref name="chesil">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.soton.ac.uk/~imw/chesil.htm | title = The Chesil Beach&nbsp;– General Introduction | publisher = Southampton University | access-date = 13 August 2007 | archive-date = 24 February 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200224014228/http://www.soton.ac.uk/~imw/chesil.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> Portland is sometimes defined incorrectly as a tombolo—in fact Portland is a tied island, and Chesil Beach is the tombolo (a spit joined to land at both ends).<ref name="tied island" /><ref name="tombolo">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.vnc.qld.edu.au/enviro/flinders/land-defns.htm | title = Coastal Landform Definitions | publisher = Villanova College | access-date = 29 July 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070714013950/http://www.vnc.qld.edu.au/enviro/flinders/land-defns.htm | archive-date = 14 July 2007 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

There are eight settlements on Portland, the largest being [[Fortuneswell]] in Underhill and [[Easton, Dorset|Easton]] on Tophill. [[Castletown, Dorset|Castletown]] and [[Chiswell]] are the other villages in Underhill, and [[Weston, Dorset|Weston]], [[Southwell, Dorset|Southwell]], [[Wakeham]] and [[The Grove, Portland|the Grove]] are on the Tophill plateau.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2015/02/a-portrait-of-portland/ |title=A portrait of Portland |magazine=Dorset Life |access-date=2018-04-16 |archive-date=18 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418114824/http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2015/02/a-portrait-of-portland/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Many old buildings are built out of Portland Stone; several parts have been designated Conservation Areas to preserve the unique character the older settlements which date back hundreds of years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/conservation-area/weymouth-and-portland |title=Conservation areas – Weymouth and Portland |publisher=Weymouth & Portland Borough Council |date=2017-09-29 |access-date=2018-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416200757/https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/conservation-area/weymouth-and-portland |archive-date=16 April 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The Isle of Portland has been designated by [[Natural England]] as National Character Area 137. It is adjoined by the [[Weymouth Lowlands]] to the north.<ref name="tied island">{{cite web | year = 2013 | url = http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/jca137+138_tcm6-5506.pdf | title = Isle of Portland/Weymouth Lowlands | publisher = Natural England | access-date = 2020-08-03 | df = dmy-all | archive-date = 4 September 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120904121902/http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/jca137%2B138_tcm6-5506.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref>

[[Image:Dorset geology.png|thumb|left|upright=1.25|The Isle of Portland lies on Upper [[Oolite]] [[limestone]].]]

=== Geology ===
Geologically, Portland is separated into two areas; the steeply sloping land at its north end called [[Underhill, Dorset|Underhill]], and the larger, gently sloping land to the south, called [[Tophill]]. [[Portland stone]] lies under Tophill; the strata decline at a shallow angle of around 1.5 degrees, from a height of {{convert|151|m|ft|0}} near [[Verne (HM Prison)|the Verne]] in the north, to just above sea level at [[Portland Bill]].<ref name="geology">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.soton.ac.uk/~imw/portnew.htm#cross | title = General Geology | publisher = Southampton University | access-date = 26 July 2007 | archive-date = 12 May 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200512030636/http://www.soton.ac.uk/~imw/portnew.htm#cross | url-status = live }}</ref> The geology of Underhill is different to Tophill; Underhill lies on a steep [[escarpment]] composed of Portland Sand, lying above a thicker layer of [[Kimmeridge Clay]], which extends to Chesil Beach and Portland Harbour. This Kimmeridge Clay has resulted in a series of landslides, forming West Weares and East Weares.<ref name="geology" />

{{convert|2.4|km|1}} underneath south Dorset lies a layer of [[Triassic]] [[rock salt]], and Portland is one of four locations in the United Kingdom where the salt is thick enough to create stable cavities.<ref name="echogas">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/local/display.var.1881457.0.island_may_be_key_gas_supplier.php | title = Island may be key gas supplier | publisher = Dorset Echo | access-date = 5 December 2007 | archive-date = 8 April 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080408115543/http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/local/display.var.1881457.0.island_may_be_key_gas_supplier.php | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="portlandgas1">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.portland-gas.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48&Itemid=105 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070729214525/http://www.portland-gas.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48&Itemid=105 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 29 July 2007 | title = Portland gas storage project | publisher = Portland Gas | access-date = 5 December 2007 }}</ref> Portland Gas applied to [[salt mine|excavate]] 14 caverns to store {{convert|1000000000|m3|cuft}} of natural gas, which is one per cent of the UK's total annual demand.<ref name="echogas" /><ref name="portlandgas1" /> It was proposed that the caverns should be connected to the National gas grid at [[Mappowder]] via a {{convert|37|km|mi|adj=on}} pipeline.<ref name="echogas" /><ref name="portlandgas1" /> Plans had it that the surface facilities should be complete to store the first gas in 2011, and the entire cavern space available for storage in winter 2013.<ref name="portlandgas1" /> As part of the £350&nbsp;million scheme,<ref name="echogas" /> the [[Grade II listed]] former [[The Old Engine Shed, Portland|Old Engine Shed]] would be converted into a £1.5&nbsp;million educational centre with a café and an exhibition space about the geology of Portland.<ref name="educationcentre">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/local/display.var.1881211.0.island_may_get_a_1_5m_visitor_centre.php | title = Island may get a £1.5m visitor centre | publisher = Dorset Echo | access-date = 5 December 2007 | archive-date = 8 April 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080408115538/http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/local/display.var.1881211.0.island_may_get_a_1_5m_visitor_centre.php | url-status = live }}</ref>

=== Portland Bill ===
[[Image:Portland Bill Lighthouse 2.jpg|thumb|right|[[Portland Bill Lighthouse]] and visitors' centre]]
{{main|Portland Bill}}
[[Portland Bill]] is the southern tip of the island of Portland. The Bill has three lighthouse towers. The [[Old Higher Lighthouse|Higher Lighthouse]] is now a dwelling and holiday apartments whilst the [[Old Lower Lighthouse|Lower Lighthouse]] is now a bird observatory and field centre providing records of bird migration and accommodation for visitors, which opened in 1961.<ref>Stuart Morris, 2016 ''Portland, an Illustrated History'' The Dovecote Press, [[Wimborne]], Dorset: {{ISBN|978-0-9955462-0-2}}</ref> The [[Portland Bill Lighthouse|white and red lighthouse]] on Bill Point replaced the Higher and Lower Lighthouses in 1906. It is a prominent and much photographed feature; an important landmark for ships passing the headland and its [[tidal race]]. The current lighthouse was refurbished in 1996 and became remotely controlled. It now contains a visitors' centre giving information and guided tours of the lighthouse.<ref name="lighthouse">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/interactive/gallery/portland_bill.html | title = Portland Bill Lighthouse | publisher = Trinity House | access-date = 26 July 2007 | archive-date = 9 August 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070809165916/http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/interactive/gallery/portland_bill.html | url-status = live }}. * Stuart Morris, 2016 ''Portland, an Illustrated History'' The Dovecote Press, [[Wimborne]], Dorset: {{ISBN|978-0-9955462-0-2}}</ref>

===Portland Ledge and Portland Race===
Portland Ledge is an underwater extension of Portland Stone into the English Channel at a place where the depth of Channel is 20 to 40 metres (about 10 to 20 fathoms). Tidal flow is disrupted by the feature; at 10 metres (about 5 fathoms) deep and {{convert|2.4|km|nmi|1}} long, it causes a tidal race to the south of Portland Bill, the so-called Portland Race.<ref name="shambles">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.soton.ac.uk/~imw/portnew.htm#offshore | title = Offshore Geology | publisher = Southampton University | access-date = 26 July 2007 | archive-date = 12 May 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200512030636/http://www.soton.ac.uk/~imw/portnew.htm#offshore | url-status = live }}</ref> The current only stops for brief periods during the {{frac|12|1|2}}-hour tidal cycle and can reach {{convert|4|m/s|mph|0}} at the spring tide of {{convert|2|m|0}}.<ref name="shambles" />

=== Ecology ===
[[Image:PortlandCoast.JPG|thumb|right|Portland's cliffs and quarries have extensive specialised flora and fauna.]]
Due to its isolated coastal location, the Isle of Portland has an extensive range of [[flora]] and [[fauna]]; the coastline and disused quarries are designated as [[Sites of Special Scientific Interest]].<ref name="jurassiccoast" /><ref name="wildlife">{{cite web|url=http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/main.asp?svid=546|title=Portland wildlife|year=2007|publisher=Weymouth & Portland Borough Council |access-date=27 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513165029/http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/main.asp?svid=546|archive-date=13 May 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Isle of Portland SSSI encompasses {{convert|352|ha|acre|0}}, and includes 17 monitored features ranging from Jurassic fossils, [[calcareous]] grassland, rock [[sea-lavender]] and nationally scarce butterflies.<ref name="IoPSSSI">{{cite web |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=s1000128 |title=Isle Of Portland SSSI |publisher=[[Natural England]] |date=2020-08-04 |website=Designated Sites View |access-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-date=19 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019232646/https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=s1000128 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sea and migratory birds occupy the cliffs in different seasons, sometimes these include rare species which draw ornithologists from around the country.<ref name="jurassiccoast" /><ref name="fauna" /> Rare visitors to the surrounding seas include dolphins, seals and basking sharks.<ref name="wildlife" /> Chesil Beach is one of only two sites in Britain where the scaly cricket can be found; unlike any other cricket it is wingless and does not sing or hop.<ref name="fauna">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/main.asp?svid=542 | title = Chesil Beach | publisher = Weymouth & Portland Borough Council | access-date = 27 July 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070513190720/http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/main.asp?svid=542 |archive-date = 13 May 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ten British Primitive goats were introduced to the East Weares part of the island to control scrub in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portlandcp.org.uk/island/WildlifeNewsletter.pdf|title=Wildlife on Portland|date=Spring 2008|publisher=Heights Hotel and Swarovski Optik |access-date=18 March 2012}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The comparatively warm and sunny climate allows species of plants to thrive which do not on the mainland. The limestone soil has low nutrient levels; hence smaller species of wild flowers and grasses are able to grow in the absence of larger species.<ref name="wildlife" /> Portland sea lavender can be found on the higher sea cliffs; unique to Portland, it is one of the United Kingdom's rarest plants.<ref name="flora">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/main.asp?svid=543 | title = Coastal Flora & Fauna | publisher = Weymouth & Portland Borough Council | access-date = 27 July 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070513164925/http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/main.asp?svid=543 |archive-date = 13 May 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="IoPSSSI" /> The wild flowers and plants make an excellent habitat for butterflies; over half of the British Isles' 57 butterfly species can be seen on Portland, including varieties that migrate from mainland Europe.<ref name="jurassiccoast" /> Species live on Portland that are rare in the United Kingdom, including the limestone race of the [[silver-studded blue]].<ref name="butterflies">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/main.asp?svid=541 | title = Portland Butterflies | publisher = Weymouth & Portland Borough Council | access-date = 27 July 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070513190734/http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/main.asp?svid=541 |archive-date = 13 May 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
[[Image:Weymouth Climatic Graph.png|right|thumb|upright=1.75|300px|Climatic [[ergograph]] for the nearby [[Wyke Regis]] weather station]]
The mild seas which almost surround the tied island produce a [[temperate]] climate ([[Humid temperate climate|Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfb'') with a small variation in daily and annual temperatures. The average annual mean temperature from 1991 to 2020 was {{convert|11.5|C|F|1}}.<ref name="annualmean">{{cite web | year = 2021 | url = https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gbyr2jjpc | title = Station: Isle of Portland | publisher = [[Met Office]] | access-date = 30 December 2021}}</ref> The warmest month is August, which has an average [[temperature|temperature range]] of {{convert|14.8|to|19.5|C|F}}, and the coolest is February, which has a range of {{convert|4.7|to|8.4|C|F}}.<ref name="annualmean" /> Mean winter temperatures are amongst the highest in the British Isles, and by far warmer than the United Kingdom average. However, due to the island's proximity to the sea, summers are cooler than the national average, with temperatures rarely climbing to the extremes seen in in-land areas further north.<ref name="englandclimate">{{cite web|year=2001 |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/england.html |title=England 1971–2000 averages |publisher=Met Office |access-date=10 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605024000/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/england.html |archive-date= 5 June 2011 }}</ref> As a result of its coastal extremity and mild winter minimum temperatures, Portland is suitable for plants with the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s hardiness rating H2.<ref name=RHS>{{cite web|title=RHS hardiness rating|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/award-of-garden-merit/rhs-hardiness-rating|website=RHS hardiness rating|publisher=Royal Horticultural Society|access-date=24 August 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925021320/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/award-of-garden-merit/rhs-hardiness-rating|archive-date=25 September 2016}}</ref>{{ref label|ahs1|B|B}} Mean [[sea surface temperatures]] range from {{convert|7.0|°C|°F|1}} in February to {{convert|17.2|°C|°F|1}} in August; the annual mean is {{convert|11.8|°C|°F|1}}.<ref name="seatemperatures"/>

{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Isle of Portland (1991-2020 averages)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 13.4
|Feb record high C = 13.1
|Mar record high C = 19.7
|Apr record high C = 22.9
|May record high C = 23.7
|Jun record high C = 30.8
|Jul record high C = 27.8
|Aug record high C = 30.2
|Sep record high C = 25.6
|Oct record high C = 21.1
|Nov record high C = 18.2
|Dec record high C = 14.5
|year record high C = 30.8
|Jan record low C = -10.4
|Feb record low C = -8.4
|Mar record low C = -4.5
|Apr record low C = -1.6
|May record low C = 0.7
|Jun record low C = 3.0
|Jul record low C = 8.0
|Aug record low C = 8.4
|Sep record low C = 4.7
|Oct record low C = 1.3
|Nov record low C = -2.8
|Dec record low C = -6.5
|year record low C = -10.4
|Jan high C = 8.7
|Feb high C = 8.4
|Mar high C = 9.7
|Apr high C = 11.9
|May high C = 14.5
|Jun high C = 17.0
|Jul high C = 19.0
|Aug high C = 19.5
|Sep high C = 18.1
|Oct high C = 15.0
|Nov high C = 11.9
|Dec high C = 9.6
|year high C = 13.6
|Jan mean C = 6.9
|Feb mean C = 6.6
|Mar mean C = 7.7
|Apr mean C = 9.4
|May mean C = 12.0
|Jun mean C = 14.6
|Jul mean C = 16.6
|Aug mean C = 17.1
|Sep mean C = 15.7
|Oct mean C = 13.1
|Nov mean C = 10.1
|Dec mean C = 7.8
|year mean C = 11.5
|Jan low C = 5.2
|Feb low C = 4.7
|Mar low C = 5.6
|Apr low C = 7.0
|May low C = 9.5
|Jun low C = 12.2
|Jul low C = 14.3
|Aug low C = 14.8
|Sep low C = 13.4
|Oct low C = 11.1
|Nov low C = 8.2
|Dec low C = 6.0
|year low C = 9.4
|Jan sun = 66.7
|Feb sun = 90.5
|Mar sun = 134.0
|Apr sun = 192.2
|May sun = 228.5
|Jun sun = 230.3
|Jul sun = 237.4
|Aug sun = 212.4
|Sep sun = 172.5
|Oct sun = 116.1
|Nov sun = 80.1
|Dec sun = 62.2
|year sun = 1822.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 74.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 52.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 46.3
|Apr precipitation mm = 47.6
|May precipitation mm = 42.7
|Jun precipitation mm = 41.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 36.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 47.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 46.2
|Oct precipitation mm = 76.4
|Nov precipitation mm = 82.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 78.6
|year precipitation mm = 672.3
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 12.3
|Feb precipitation days = 10.5
|Mar precipitation days = 9.1
|Apr precipitation days = 8.6
|May precipitation days = 8.0
|Jun precipitation days = 7.2
|Jul precipitation days = 6.4
|Aug precipitation days = 8.0
|Sep precipitation days = 8.0
|Oct precipitation days = 12.0
|Nov precipitation days = 13.4
|Dec precipitation days = 12.6
|year precipitation days = 116.1
| source 1 = 1991–2020 averages for the Isle of Portland climate station and Weymouth Cefas station. Sources: [[Met Office]]<ref name="MetOffice">{{cite web | year = 2021 | url = https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gbyr2jjpc | title = Station: Isle of Portland | publisher = Met Office | access-date = 2021-12-30}}</ref> and [[Cefas]]<ref name="seatemperatures">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.cefas.co.uk/data/sea-temperature-and-salinity-trends/presentation-of-results/station-24-weymouth.aspx | title = Cefas Station 24: Weymouth | publisher = [[Cefas|The Centre for Environment Fisheries & Aquaculture Science]] | access-date = 2012-12-05 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070613213637/http://www.cefas.co.uk/data/sea-temperature-and-salinity-trends/presentation-of-results/station-24-weymouth.aspx | archive-date = 13 June 2007 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
|source 2 = Starlings Roost Weather<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roostweather.com/ukobs/temp_station_extreme_map.php|title=Monthly Temperature Extremes}}</ref>
|date=October 2025}}

The mild seas that surround Portland act to keep night-time temperatures above freezing, making air frost rare: on average 6.3 days per year&nbsp;— this is far below the United Kingdom's average annual total of 55.6 days of frost.<ref name="annualmean" /><ref name="UKaverages" /> Days with snow lying are equally rare: on average zero to five days per year;<ref name="metofficesnow">{{cite web |year=2011 |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/pub/data/weather/uk/climate/averages/maps/uk/8110_1km/SnowLying_Average_1981-2010_17.gif |title=Days of Snow Lying Annual Average |publisher=Met Office |access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024145248/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/pub/data/weather/uk/climate/averages/maps/uk/8110_1km/SnowLying_Average_1981-2010_17.gif |url-status=live }}</ref> almost all winters have no more than one day with snow lying. It may snow or [[rain and snow mixed|sleet]] in winter, yet it almost never settles on the ground—coastal areas in [[South West England]] such as Portland generally experience the mildest winters in the UK.<ref name="metofficewinter">{{cite web |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/tmean/16.gif |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531061625/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/tmean/16.gif |archive-date=2010-05-31 |access-date=10 December 2016 |publisher=Met Office |year=2001 |title=Mean Temperature (°C) Winter Average 1971–2000}}</ref> Portland is less affected by the Atlantic storms that [[Devon]] and [[Cornwall]] experience. The [[growing season]] lasts for more than 310 days per year,<ref name="growingseason">{{cite web | year = 2012 | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/#?tab=climateMaps | title = Growing season length – Annual average: 1971–2000 | publisher = Met Office | access-date = 5 December 2012 | archive-date = 3 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235458/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/#?tab=climateMaps | url-status = live }}</ref>{{ref label|growingseason|D|D}} and the borough is in [[Hardiness zone]] 9.<ref name="hardinesszones">{{cite web | year = 1999 | url = http://www.gardenweb.com/zones/europe/ | title = Hardiness Zone Map for Europe | publisher = GardenWeb | access-date = 20 June 2007 | archive-date = 29 June 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070629194559/http://www.gardenweb.com/zones/europe/ | url-status = live }}</ref>{{ref label|hardinesszone|E|E}}

Weymouth and Portland, and the rest of the south coast,<ref name="metofficeengland">{{cite web | year = 2005 | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/location/england/index.html | title = Met Office: English climate | publisher = Met Office | access-date = 6 November 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061117202818/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/location/england/index.html |archive-date = 17 November 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> has the sunniest climate in the United Kingdom.<ref name="jurassiccoast" /><ref name="sunshine">{{cite news | url=http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/buying_and_selling/article2875491.ece | title=Bring me sunshine | publisher=[[Times Online]] | access-date=8 March 2008 | location=London | first1=Robert | last1=Penn | first2=Antony | last2=Woodward | date=18 November 2007 | archive-date=12 May 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512085002/http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/buying_and_selling/article2875491.ece | url-status=dead }}</ref> Portland averaged 1822.6 hours of sunshine annually between 1991 and 2020,<ref name="annualmean" /> which is 42% of the maximum possible,{{ref label|sunshine|C|C}} and 36% above the [[Climate of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom average]] of 1402.7 hours.<ref name="UKaverages">{{cite web|year=2001 |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/uk.html |title=UK 1971–2000 averages |publisher=Met Office |access-date=4 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705140124/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/uk.html |archive-date= 5 July 2009 }}</ref> December is the cloudiest month (62.2 hours of sunshine), November the wettest ({{convert|82.6|mm|in|1}} of rain) and July is the sunniest and driest month (237.4 hours of sunshine, {{convert|36.9|mm|in|1}} of rain).<ref name="annualmean" /> Sunshine totals in all months are well above the United Kingdom average,<ref name="UKaverages" /> and monthly rainfall totals throughout the year are less than the UK average, particularly in summer;<ref name="UKaverages" /> this summer minimum of rainfall is not experienced away from the south coast of England.<ref name="metofficeengland" /> The average annual rainfall of {{convert|672.3|mm|in|1}} is well below the UK average of {{convert|1163.0|mm|in|1}}.<ref name="annualmean"/>

== Demography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="float:right; line-height:1.1em; border:1px #000; margin-left:0; text-align:right;"
|-
! Religion
! %<ref name="WPreligion">{{cite web | year = 2012 | url = http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-286262 | title = 2011 Census, Key Statistics for Local Authorities in England and Wales | publisher = [[Office for National Statistics]] | access-date = 16 December 2007 | archive-date = 5 January 2016 | archive-url = http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20160105160709/http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-286262 | url-status = live }}</ref>{{ref label|weymouthandportland|F|F}}
|- style="line-height: 1.1em"
|align=left |[[Buddhism|Buddhist]]
|0.4
|- style="line-height: 1.1em"
|align=left |Christian
|61.0
|- style="line-height: 1.1em"
|align=left |[[Hinduism|Hindu]]
|0.1
|- style="line-height: 1.1em"
|align=left |[[Jewish]]
|0.1
|- style="line-height: 1.1em"
|align=left |[[Muslim]]
|0.5
|- style="line-height: 1.1em"
|align=left |[[Irreligion|No religion]]
|29.3
|- style="line-height: 1.1em"
|align=left |[[List of religions|Other]]
|0.7
|- style="line-height: 1.1em"
|align=left |[[Sikhism|Sikh]]
|0.1
|- style="line-height: 1.1em"
|align=left |Not stated
|7.9
|}

{| class="toc" border="1" style="float:right; border-collapse:collapse; margin-right:10pt; margin-top:1em;"
|-
!Age!!Percentage<ref name="dorsetforyou" />
|-
||0–15||align=right|18.1
|-
||16–17||align=right|2.4
|-
||18–44||align=right|33.5
|-
||45–59||align=right|21.9
|-
||60–84||align=right|21.7
|-
||85+||align=right|2.3
|}

{| class="toc" border="1" style="float:right; border-collapse:collapse; margin-right:10pt; margin-top:1em; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:2em;"
|-
!Year!!Population<ref name="dorsetforyou">{{cite web | year = 2011 | url = http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=343603 | title = Portland—Dorset For You | publisher = Dorset County Council | access-date = 14 December 2012 | archive-date = 30 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160330092622/https://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=343603 | url-status = live }}</ref>{{ref label|estimate|A|A}}<ref name="dorsetinsight" />
|-
||1971||align=right|12,330
|-
||1981||align=right|12,410
|-
||1991||align=right|13,190
|-
||2001||align=right|12,800
|-
||2010||align=right|12,400
|-
||2011||align=right|12,869
|-
||2012||align=right|12,806
|-
||2013||align=right|12,966
|-
||2014||align=right|12,603
|-
||2015||align=right|12,501
|-
||2016||align=right|12,627
|-
||2017||align=right|12,721
|-
||2018||align=right|12,797
|-
||2021||align=right|13,417
|}

The population of Portland in 2021 was 13,417;<ref name="dorsetinsight" /> this figure has remained around twelve to thirteen thousand since the 1970s. In 2011 there were 6,312 dwellings in an area of {{convert|11.5|km2|acre|-1}}, with a population density of 1112 people per km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name="dorsetinsight" /> The population is almost entirely native to the United Kingdom and 93.9 per cent of residents are of white British ethnicity,<ref name="dorsetinsight" /> well above the England and Wales average of 80.5 per cent.<ref name="WPreligion" /> The average price of a detached house on Portland in 2010 was [[GBP|£]]194,200; [[terraced house]]s are cheaper, at £149,727, and a flat or [[Maisonette (apartment)|maisonette]] costs £110,500.<ref name="dorsetforyou" />{{ref label|julysep|G|G}}

Crime rates are below average—there were 5.4 burglaries per 1000 households in 2009 and 2010; which is lower than [[South West England]] (7.6 per 1000) and significantly lower than [[England and Wales]] (11.6 per 1000).<ref name="dorsetforyou" /> Unemployment levels are very low, at 1.9 per cent in July 2011,<ref name="dorsetforyou" /> compared to the British average of 7.7 per cent.<ref name="unemployment">{{cite web | year = 2012 | url = http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=12 | title = All releases of Labour Market Statistics | publisher = [[Office for National Statistics]] | access-date = 14 December 2012 | archive-date = 18 May 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070518132223/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=12 | url-status = live }}</ref> The most common religious identity in Weymouth and Portland is Christianity, at 61.0 per cent, which is slightly above the [[Religion in the United Kingdom#Statistics|England and Wales average]] of 59.3 per cent.<ref name="WPreligion" /> The next-largest sector is those with no religion, at 29.3 per cent, also slightly above the average of 25.1 per cent.<ref name="WPreligion" />

== Transport ==
[[Image:Dorset transport.png|thumb|right|upright=1.75|The [[A354 road|A354]] links Portland to the main road network and other transport services in Weymouth.]]
The [[A354 road]] is the only land access to Portland, via Ferry Bridge, connecting to [[Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth]] and to the wider road network at the [[A35 road|A35]] [[trunk road]] in [[Dorchester, Dorset|Dorchester]]. It runs from [[Easton, Dorset|Easton]], splitting into a northbound section through [[Chiswell]] and a southbound section through [[Fortuneswell]], then along [[Chesil Beach]] and across a bridge to the mainland in [[Wyke Regis]]. Formerly the [[Portland Branch Railway]] also crossed to the island. The corridor is now a traffic-free walking and cycle path.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/route-26|title=Route 26|publisher=Sustrans|access-date=21 August 2018|archive-date=21 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821162044/https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/route-26|url-status=live}}</ref>

Local buses are run by [[FirstGroup]], with services to Weymouth.<ref name="firstbus">{{cite web | year = 2023 | url = https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/wessex%20guide%20mar23%20WEB_0.pdf | title = Weymouth and The Jurassic Coast Bus Guide | publisher = First Group | access-date = 2023-06-18 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230502132718/https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/wessex%20guide%20mar23%20WEB_0.pdf | archive-date = 2023-05-02 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Weymouth is the hub for south Dorset bus routes, with services to Dorchester and local villages.<ref name="firstbus" /> Weymouth is connected to towns and villages along the [[Jurassic Coast]] by the Jurassic Coast Bus service, which runs for {{convert|142|km|mi|0}} from [[Exeter]] to [[Poole]], through [[Sidford]], [[Beer, Devon|Beer]], [[Seaton, Devon|Seaton]], [[Lyme Regis]], [[Charmouth]], [[Bridport]], [[Abbotsbury]], Weymouth, [[Wool, Dorset|Wool]], and [[Wareham, Dorset|Wareham]].<ref name="coastbus">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.jurassiccoast.com/283/visiting-the-coast-31/getting-to-and-around-the-jurassic-coast-148/jurassic-coast-bus-service-464.html | title = Jurassic Coast Bus Service | publisher = Jurassic Coast | access-date = 6 January 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070826183226/http://www.jurassiccoast.com/283/visiting-the-coast-31/getting-to-and-around-the-jurassic-coast-148/jurassic-coast-bus-service-464.html | archive-date = 26 August 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Trains run from Weymouth to London, [[Southampton]], [[Bristol]] and [[Gloucester]] but ferries no longer transport passengers to the French port of [[St Malo]] and the [[Channel Islands]] of [[Guernsey]] and [[Jersey]].<ref name="used">{{cite web | year = 2015 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-32013883 | title = used to go | publisher = BBC News | access-date = 23 March 2015 | archive-date = 1 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190401194050/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-32013883 | url-status = live }}</ref>

== Education ==
St George's Community Primary School is located in [[Easton, Dorset|Easton]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.schoolguide.co.uk/schools/st-georges-community-primary-school-portland |title=St George's Community Primary School review |publisher=School Guide |access-date=2018-04-16 |archive-date=17 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417040037/https://www.schoolguide.co.uk/schools/st-georges-community-primary-school-portland |url-status=live }}</ref> The only other school on Portland is the [[Atlantic Academy Portland|Atlantic Academy]], an [[all-through school]] for pupils aged 3 to 19 based at two different sites.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atlantic-aspirations.org/268/welcome |title=Welcome – Atlantic Academy Isle of Portland |publisher=Atlantic-aspirations.org |date=2018-04-10 |access-date=2018-04-16 |archive-date=17 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417022819/http://www.atlantic-aspirations.org/268/welcome |url-status=live }}</ref> Formerly known as the Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy, it formed in 2012 by merging four primary schools and one secondary school.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/10184563.VIPs_to_attend_handover_of_buildings_to_Portland_Academy/ |title=VIPs to attend handover of buildings to Portland Academy &#124; Bournemouth Echo |publisher=Bournemouthecho.co.uk |date=2013-01-24 |access-date=2018-04-16 |archive-date=16 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416201058/http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/10184563.VIPs_to_attend_handover_of_buildings_to_Portland_Academy/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Some students commute to [[Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth]] or [[Dorchester, Dorset|Dorchester]] to study [[A-Level]]s, or to attend other secondary schools nearby. [[Weymouth College]] in [[Melcombe Regis]] is the nearest [[further education]] college, which has around 7,500 students from [[south west England]] and overseas,<ref name="weymouthcollege">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.weymouth.ac.uk/the-college/welcome.html | title = About Us | publisher = Weymouth College | access-date = 4 January 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080530161535/http://www.weymouth.ac.uk/the-college/welcome.html | archive-date = 30 May 2008 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> about 1,500 studying A-Level courses.<ref name="sixthform">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://localinfo.dorsetecho.co.uk/li/secondary_schools_a_level.in.Weymouth | title = Secondary Schools (A-Level) in Weymouth | publisher = Dorset Echo | access-date = 4 January 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071030134924/http://localinfo.dorsetecho.co.uk/li/secondary_schools_a_level.in.Weymouth | archive-date = 30 October 2007 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

== Culture ==

=== Sport and recreation ===
[[Image:Uk dor sailingacademy.JPG|thumb|right|[[Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy]]]]
In 2000, the [[Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy]] was built in Osprey Quay in Underhill as a centre for sailing in the United Kingdom. [[Weymouth Bay|Weymouth and Portland's waters]] were credited by the [[Royal Yachting Association]] as the best in Northern Europe.<ref name="wpnsa">{{cite web | year = 2005 | url = http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/London2012/home.asp?svid=14 | title = 2012 Olympic Games sailing venue | publisher = Weymouth & Portland Borough Council | access-date = 12 November 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061231110947/http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/London2012/home.asp?svid=14 |archive-date = 31 December 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> Weymouth and Portland regularly host local, national and international sailing events in their waters; these include the J/24 World Championships in 2005, trials for the 2004 Athens Olympics, the ISAF World Championship 2006, the BUSA Fleet Racing Championships, and the RYA Youth National Championships.<ref name="wpnsaevents">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url= http://www.wpnsa.org.uk/pressreleases.htm | title = Press Releases 2006 | publisher = Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy | access-date = 12 November 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061202013033/http://www.wpnsa.org.uk/pressreleases.htm |archive-date = 2 December 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2005, the WPNSA was selected to host sailing events at the [[2012 Summer Olympic Games|2012 Olympic Games]]—mainly because the academy had recently been built, so no new venue would have to be provided.<ref name="2012chosen">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/4653721.stm | title = Sailing town's joy at Olympic win | publisher = BBC | access-date = 7 January 2008 | date=6 July 2005}}</ref> However, as part of the [[South West of England Regional Development Agency]]'s plans to redevelop Osprey Quay, a new 600-berth marina and an extension with more on-site facilities were built.<ref name="portlandmarina">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.portlandmarina.co.uk | title = Dean and Reddyhoff Marina | publisher = Dean and Reddyhoff Limited | access-date = 26 March 2007 | archive-date = 28 September 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928223403/http://www.portlandmarina.co.uk/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Construction was scheduled between October 2007 and the end of 2008, and with its completion and formal opening on 11 June 2009, the venue became the first of the 2012 Olympic Games to be completed.<ref name="wpnsaextension">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6246176.stm | title = New Olympic marina plan approved | publisher = [[BBC]] | access-date = 27 June 2007 | date = 27 June 2007 | archive-date = 19 August 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070819124217/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6246176.stm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= 2012 work completed at WPNSA |url= http://www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/news/Pages/2012sailingvenueofficially.aspx |publisher= [[Royal Yachting Association]] |year= 2009 |access-date= 10 August 2009 |archive-date= 8 March 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120308074636/http://www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/news/Pages/2012sailingvenueofficially.aspx |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Sailing rivals use Olympic venue | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8193246.stm | publisher = BBC News | access-date = 10 August 2009 | date=10 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = First 2012 Olympic venue unveiled | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7753734.stm | publisher = BBC News | access-date = 30 September 2009 | date = 28 November 2008 | archive-date = 3 December 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081203035736/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7753734.stm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|NyBEyROnlCg|Video of HM The Queen visiting the Sailing Academy at YouTube}}</ref>

Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour are used for other water sports&nbsp;– the reliable wind is favourable for [[windsurfing|wind]] and [[kitesurfing|kite-surfing]]. Chesil Beach and Portland Harbour are used regularly for angling, scuba diving to shipwrecks, snorkelling, canoeing, and swimming.<ref name="watersports">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/Leisure/Watersports/home.asp?svid=69 | title = Watersports in Weymouth and Portland | publisher = Weymouth & Portland Borough Council | access-date = 12 November 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061010232523/http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/Leisure/Watersports/home.asp?svid=69 |archive-date = 10 October 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> The limestone cliffs and quarries are used for [[rock climbing]]; Portland has areas for [[bouldering]] and deep water soloing, however [[sport climbing]] with bolt protection is the most common style.<ref name="rock climbing">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.rockfax.com/databases/results_area.html?id=5 | title = World Rock Climbing Information: Portland | publisher = Rockfax | access-date = 19 May 2007 | archive-date = 28 September 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928110119/http://www.rockfax.com/databases/results_area.html?id=5 | url-status = live }}</ref> Since June 2003 the [[South West Coast Path]] [[National Trail]] has included {{convert|21.3|km|mi|1}} of coastal walking around the Isle of Portland, including following the A354 Portland Beach Road twice.<ref>{{cite book|last=South West Coast Path Association|author-link=South West Coast Path Association|title=South West Coast Path 2009 Guide|publisher=SWCPA|year=2009|page=94|isbn=978-0-907055-15-0}}</ref>

Isle of Portland has a [[Non-League football]] club [[Portland United F.C.]] who play at Grove Corner.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://portlandutdfc.co.uk/club-info/new-grove-corner/ |title=Portland United FC |publisher=Portlandutdfc.co.uk |access-date=2018-04-16 |archive-date=16 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416201326/http://portlandutdfc.co.uk/club-info/new-grove-corner/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They also have a youth set up called Portland United youth football Club.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://familyinformationdirectory.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/kb5/dorset/fsd/service.page?id=1pzil8E_wfI |title=Portland United Youth Football Club &#124; Dorset FID |publisher=Familyinformationdirectory.dorsetforyou.gov.uk |access-date=2018-04-16 |archive-date=16 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416200928/https://familyinformationdirectory.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/kb5/dorset/fsd/service.page?id=1pzil8E_wfI |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Rabbits ===
[[Image:PortlandQuarry.jpg|thumb|right|Accidents in Portland's quarries led to a fear of the word ''rabbit''.]]
Rabbits have long been associated with bad luck on Portland. Use of the name is still taboo—the creatures are often referred to as "underground mutton", "long-eared furry things" or just "bunnies".<ref name="wallaceandgromit">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/4318710.stm | title = Wallace and Gromit spook island | publisher = BBC | access-date = 26 July 2007 | date = 7 October 2005 | archive-date = 13 April 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090413193908/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/4318710.stm | url-status = live }}</ref> The origin of this superstition is obscure (there is no record of it before the 1920s) but it is believed to derive from quarry workers. They would see rabbits emerging from their burrows immediately before a rock fall and blame them for increasing the risk of dangerous, sometimes deadly, [[landslide]]s.<ref name="rabbits" /> If a rabbit was seen in a quarry, the workers would go home for the day, until the safety of the area had been assured.<ref name="wallaceandgromit" />

As of 2006, older Portland residents were said to be 'offended' (sometimes for the benefit of tourists) by the mention of rabbits;<ref name="rabbits">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/main.asp?svid=784 | title = Rabbits, the Portland taboo word | publisher = Weymouth & Portland Borough Council | access-date = 26 July 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071024070726/http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/main.asp?svid=784 |archive-date = 24 October 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> this superstition came to national attention in October 2005 when a special batch of advertisement posters were made for the [[Wallace and Gromit]] film, ''[[Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit|The Curse of the Were-Rabbit]]''. Out of respect for local beliefs the adverts omitted the word 'rabbit' and replaced the film's title with the phrase ''"Something bunny is going on"''.<ref name="wallaceandgromit" />

=== Religion ===
{{Main|List of churches in Weymouth and Portland}}

=== Literature ===
[[Thomas Hardy]] described Portland as "the peninsula carved by Time out of a single stone", and named it the ''Isle of Slingers'' and ''Isle of the Race'' in his Wessex novels; it was the main setting of ''[[The Well-Beloved]]'' (1897), and was featured in ''[[The Trumpet-Major]]'' (1880).<ref name="Orel1990">{{cite book|first=H.|last=Orel|title=Thomas Hardy's Personal Writings|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XMleCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA263|year= 1990|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK|isbn=978-0-230-37371-6|page=263}}</ref><ref name="slingers">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.lymeregis.com/hardy_country/ | title = Thomas Hardy County and the Hardy Trail | publisher = Lyme Regis Tourist Information | access-date = 26 July 2007 | archive-date = 23 March 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210323220816/https://www.lymeregis.com/hardy_country/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The cottage that now houses [[Portland Museum, Dorset|Portland Museum]] was the inspiration for the heroine's house in ''The Well-Beloved''. Portlanders were expert stone-throwers in the defence of their land, and Hardy's ''Isle of Slingers'' is heavily based on Portland; the ''Street of Wells'' representing Fortuneswell and ''The Beal'' Portland Bill. Hardy also called Portland the ''Gibraltar of Wessex'', with reference to its similarities with [[Gibraltar]]; its physical geography, isolation, comparatively mild climate, and [[Underhill, Dorset|Underhill]]'s winding streets.<ref name="wellbeloved">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.fullbooks.com/The-Well-Beloved1.html | title = The Well-Beloved by Thomas Hardy | publisher = Full Books | access-date = 26 July 2007 | archive-date = 7 June 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110607172224/http://www.fullbooks.com/The-Well-Beloved1.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

[[A. E. Housman]] wrote of the place in his poem, "The Isle of Portland", from ''[[A Shropshire Lad]]''.

[[Hilaire Belloc]]'s book ''The Cruise of the "''Nona''"'' is about sailing near Portland, and the reflections it occasions. He describes Portland Race as "the master terror of our world", and says "...&nbsp;if you were to make a list of all the things which Portland Race has swallowed up, it would rival [[Orcus]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/719165/UK-The-Gibraltar-of-Wessex.html |title=UK: The Gibraltar of Wessex |newspaper=Telegraph |date=2001-07-14 |access-date=2018-04-16 |archive-date=17 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417044034/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/719165/UK-The-Gibraltar-of-Wessex.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Charlie|last=Connelly|title=Attention All Shipping: A Journey Round the Shipping Forecast|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=27urnq0h7OAC&pg=PT88|year=2011|publisher=Little, Brown Book Group|isbn=978-0-7481-3187-7|page=88}}</ref>

In ''Museums Without Walls'', [[Jonathan Meades]] declares that "Portland is a bulky chunk of geological, social, topographical and demographic weirdness. It is the obverse of a beauty spot. 'Beauty' in this construction implies the picturesque. Portland is gloriously bereft of this quality. It is awesome. There is nothing pretty about it."<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KWsuCQAAQBAJ&pg=PT40|title=Museum Without Walls|isbn=9781908717191|author-link=Jonathan Meades|last1=Meades|first1=Jonathan|date=13 November 2012|publisher=Unbound |access-date=24 September 2020|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019232706/https://books.google.com/books?id=KWsuCQAAQBAJ&pg=PT40|url-status=live}}</ref>

In ''[[The Warlord Chronicles]]'' (1995–97), [[Bernard Cornwell]] makes Portland the [[Isle of the Dead (mythology)|Isle of the Dead]], a place of internal exile, where the causeway was guarded to keep the 'dead' (people suffering insanity) from crossing [[Fleet Lagoon|the Fleet]] and returning to the mainland. No historical evidence exists to support this idea.<ref name="isleofthedead">{{cite web | year = 1999 | url = http://www.britishdowsers.org/EEG_site/archive/articles/aua2001_issue24/isleofdead_JHarvey_m.htm | title = The Isle of the Dead | publisher = British Society of Dowsers | access-date = 30 July 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930021015/http://www.britishdowsers.org/EEG_site/archive/articles/aua2001_issue24/isleofdead_JHarvey_m.htm | archive-date = 30 September 2007 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

The Portland Chronicles series of four children's books, set on and around Portland and Weymouth and written by local author Carol Hunt, draw on local history to explore a seventeenth century world of smuggling, witchcraft, piracy and local intrigue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rovingpress.co.uk/PortlandSeaDragon.html |title=Portland Sea Dragon |publisher=Roving Press |date=2 July 2013 |access-date=8 July 2013 |archive-date=27 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727133806/http://rovingpress.co.uk/PortlandSeaDragon.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the [[Louis L'Amour]] novel ''To the Far Blue Mountains'' the novel's main character, Barnabas Sackett, hides in [[Cave Hole, Portland|Cave Hole]] at the Bill of Portland before meeting a sailing ship in an attempt to escape from England.

''[[Pink Pippos of Portland]]'', a children's storybook about nearby [[Chesil Beach]] was written by Portland author Sandra Fretwell.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Joanna |title=Page-turner is a family affair |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/1768414.Page-turner_is_a_family_affair/ |website=Dorset Echo |date=18 October 2007 |access-date=12 February 2019 |language=en |archive-date=13 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213005700/https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/1768414.Page-turner_is_a_family_affair/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Vernacular ===
''Kimberlin'': slang for any 'strangers' who live on the island but are not from the island.<ref>Fido Lunettes (nom de plume), 1825, An Historical and Descriptive Account of the Peninsula of Portland from the Earliest to the Present Time, p 48 summary in The Portland Year Book and Island Record 1905, reprinted Portland Museum, 2004. * Stuart Morris, 2016 ''Portland, an Illustrated History'' The Dovecote Press, [[Wimborne]], Dorset: {{ISBN|978-0-9955462-0-2}}</ref>

''Portland screw'': [[fossil]] [[mollusc]] (''Aptyxiella portlandica'') with a long screw-like shell or its cast.<ref name="Portland Stone">{{cite web | year = 2000 | url = http://iq.learningstone.net/p2/nf/bob_ford/briefing_pack/portland_stone.php | title = The Independent Quarry Research Project | publisher = Portland Quarry and Sculpture Trust | access-date = 21 July 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100202202257/http://iq.learningstone.net/p2/nf/bob_ford/briefing_pack/portland_stone.php | archive-date = 2 February 2010 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

== Notable people ==

* [[Eddie Argos]], lead singer of rock band [[Art Brut]]
* [[Edgar F. Codd]] (23 August 1923&nbsp;– 18 April 2003), British [[computer scientist]] and inventor of the [[relational model]] for database management
* [[Paul Durkin]], former Premier League referee
* [[Pat Comben]], former Queensland, Australia, politician 
* [[Tom Hayhoe]], Covid Counter-Fraud Commissioner

== References ==
'''Informational notes'''
{{refbegin}}
:{{note label|estimate|A|A}}The figures for non-census years are estimates.
:{{note label|ahs1|B|B}}Plants in the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s hardiness rating H2 are tolerant of temperatures as low as {{convert|1|°C|°F|0}} but will not survive being frozen.
:{{note label|sunshine|C|C}}The maximum hours of sunshine possible in one year is approximately 4383 hours (12 hours/day × 365.25 days).
:{{note label|growingseason|D|D}}The [[growing season]] in the United Kingdom is defined as starting on the day after five consecutive days with mean temperatures above {{convert|5|°C|°F|0}}. The season finishes the day after mean temperatures are below {{convert|5|°C|°F|0}} for five consecutive days.<ref>{{cite web | year = 2005 | url = http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/globatmos/kf/gakf19.htm | title = Length of the thermal growing season: 1772–2006 | publisher = [[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]] | access-date = 22 December 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071103041655/http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/globatmos/kf/gakf19.htm <!--Added by H3llBot--> | archive-date = 3 November 2007}}</ref>
:{{note label|hardinesszone|E|E}}Areas in [[Hardiness zone]] 9 experience an average lowest recorded temperature each year between {{convert|-6.6|and|-1.1|C|F}}.<ref>{{cite web | year = 2003 | url = http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hrdzon3.html | title = Hardiness Zones&nbsp;– Details | publisher = [[United States National Arboretum]] | access-date = 22 December 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010422044919/http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hrdzon3.html | archive-date = 22 April 2001 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
:{{note label|weymouthandportland|F|F}}Figures are for Weymouth and Portland as a whole.
:{{note label|julysep|G|G}}These figures are for July to September in 2010.
{{refend}}

'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}

'''Further reading'''
* Anon 1905, ''The Portland Year Book and Island Record 1905'', reprinted 2004, Portland Museum, Portland, Dorset, 68 pages {{ASIN|B005ZI3FCM}}
* Theresa Murphy, ''Murder in Dorset 1988.'' Robert Hale Limited, London – Portland chapters
* Stuart Morris, 2016 ''Portland, an Illustrated History'' The Dovecote Press, [[Wimborne]], Dorset: {{ISBN|978-0-9955462-0-2}} 
* Geoffrey Carter, 1999 ''Royal Navy at Portland Since 1845''. Maritime Books, {{ISBN|978-0907771296}}.
* Stuart Morris, 1998 ''Portland'' (''Discover Dorset'' Series) The Dovecote Press, Wimborne, Dorset: {{ISBN|1-874336-49-0}}.
* Rodney Legg, 1999 ''Portland Encyclopedia''. Dorset Publishing Company, {{ISBN|978-0948699566}}.
* Jackson, Brian L. 1999. ''Isle of Portland railways''. {{ISBN|0-85361-540-3}}
* Palmer, Susann. 1999. ''Ancient Portland: Archaeology of the Isle''. Portland: S. Palmer. {{ISBN|0-9532811-0-8}}
* Stuart Morris, 2002 ''Portland: A Portrait in Colour'' The Dovecote Press, Wimborne, Dorset: {{ISBN|1-874336-91-1}}.
* Stuart Morris, 2006 ''Portland, Then and Now'' The Dovecote Press, Wimborne, Dorset: {{ISBN|1-904349-48-X}}.
* ''Dorset: The Royal Navy'' Stuart Morris, 2011, The Dovecote Press, Wimborne, Dorset: {{ISBN|978-1-904349-88-4}}. Features Portland.
* ''Weymouth & Portland'', Stuart Morris 2012. The Dovecote Press, Wimborne, Dorset: {{ISBN|978-1-904349-98-3}}.
* {{cite book |last=Hackman |first=Gill |year=2014 |title=Stone to Build London: Portland's Legacy |location=Monkton Farleigh, Wilts |publisher=Folly Books |isbn=978-0-9564405-9-4 |oclc=910854593}}

== External links ==
{{EB1911 poster|Portland, Isle of}}
{{Commons category|Isle of Portland}}
{{Wikivoyage|Isle of Portland}}
* [http://www.portlandtowncouncil.gov.uk/ Portland Town Council]
* {{Cite NSRW|wstitle=Portland, Isle of|short=x}}
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-32013883 Last Ferry Crossing]

{{Dorset}}
{{SSSIs Dorset biological}}
{{Isle of Portland}}
{{Jurassic Coast}}
{{Viking Invasion of England}}
{{Portal bar|England|Islands}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Portland, Isle Of}}
[[Category:Isle of Portland| ]]
[[Category:Headlands of Dorset]]
[[Category:Islands of Dorset]]
[[Category:Liberties of Dorset]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Dorset]]
[[Category:Peninsulas of England]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Dorset]]
[[Category:Jurassic Coast]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Dorset]]
[[Category:Tied islands]]
[[Category:Tombolos]]
[[Category:Natural regions of England]]
[[Category:Natural regions of Dorset]]
[[Category:Weymouth and Portland]]