83573 visitors

 7 visitors online

Tucked beneath the majestic Isle of Portland and sheltered within a large historical harbour, visitors have a magnificient view across the clear clean waters of Weymouth Bay with a backdrop of the stunningly beautiful Jurassic Coast, a noted World Heritage Site. From this haven, explore one of the most picturesque counties of Southern England with a choice of excellent tours.

:: Hardy Country

This full day tour explores the part real, part fictional, Wessex of Thomas Hardy's novels. Hardy's novels recorded a now lost rural way of life, of country characters, their habits, customs, speech and values The tour starts in Weymouth - Hardy's Budmouth and from there through the Dorset countryside to Hardy's cottage at Bockenhampton. After lunch at the Trumpet Major, travel to Stinsford where Hardy is buried and on to Max Gate where Hardy lived from 1885 until his death. The afternoon is spent in Dorchester visiting either the County Museum or The Keep Military Museum and then back to Portland via the charming village of Portesham.

:: Historic Bath

Bath - a World Heritage site - was founded by the Romans in AD 44 on the site of warm mineral springs and is one of the country's oldest cities and one of the most complete Georgian cities in Britain - a tour not to be missed. Visit the Roman Baths in the centre of the town and stop for lunch in the adjoining Pump Room where string quartets often play. The city has internationally famous museums and historic buildings, amongst them the Assembly Rooms, which house the Museum of Costume, the American Museum and the world famous Royal Crescent. Finally back to Portland, stopping to view No 4 Sydney Place where Jane Austen lived between 1801 and 1804.

:: Salisbury and Stonehenge

The tour begins with a visit to Stonehenge, built 5000 years ago, an impressive monument of unique importance in an area with an exceptionally large number of prehistoric remains. From Stonehenge on to the medieval Salisbury with its beautiful Early English Cathedral. The cathedral possesses the tallest spire in England, the world's oldest working clock and one of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta, the basis of the American Constitution.

:: Country houses and gardens

Dorset and the west of England have some outstanding stately homes and historic gardens of considerable horticultural interest. The options are many and the choice at the time may be determined by the season and staging of special events. From Portland travel by coach to Athelhampton House, one of the finest 15th century houses in England with stunning formal gardens. After lunch travel to 17th century Lulworth Castle and its park taking in either Corfe Castle or Lulworth Cove. Tour two leaves Portland for Abbotsbury Village an its 18th century walled sub-tropical gardens. From here proceed to Forde abbey, founded by Cistercian monks 800 years ago and now a family home. Forde Abbey has over 30 acres of award winning gardens, English herbaceous borders, magnificent trees and shrubs. The return trip takes in the village of Cerne Abbas and its famous Giant.

:: Contact
Portland Harbour Authority
Castletown
Portland
Dorset DT5 1PP
United Kingdom
Telephone:	(+44) (0)1305 824044
Fax:	(+44) (0)1305 823045
Website :
Contact :	Mr John HEALY General Manager (Operations & Marketing)
	Tel:
	E-mail:jhealy@portland-port.co.uk

Creation date : 02/04/2006 - 10:40
Last update : 27/10/2006 - 21:01
Category : Portland
Page read 1646 times

 Print preview      Print the page