A visit to Portland, Dorset

We were excited to hear that Jurassica was running a local workshop over in Portland where you get to go back in time 140 million years to experience the terrifying world of Jurassic Dorset. It offered a chance to meet the monsters of the deep and hear more about the project to create the world’s greatest prehistoric attraction which is due to open in 2021. Plus talks, incredible fossils, and hands-on activities for adults and children…

There was lots of things I wanted to do and see as they were running a guided walk, photography session and a “how to find and clean an ichthyosaur” but as I had Isaac and Sebby in tow we just headed for the exhibition. I tried to look at the plans for the new museum but Isaac and Sebby had other ideas and got stuck into all the activities on offer.

They did some fossil finding in sand, discovered all sorts of things you find on the beach and what they actually are, coloured some pictures and even played a giant Jurassic snakes and ladders game. We also had the opportunity to see what life would have been like millions of years ago with some funky 3D specs but Isaac decided he wasn’t brave enough to try them.

We spent over an hour inside with all the activities and Isaac showed off his fossil knowledge but correctly identifying what he was finding, but it was soon clear that Sebby had had enough so we escaped to find some fresh air.

Despite Hubby working in Portland for a couple of years, we had never visited other than to meet him from work and then we would head into Weymouth rather than Portland, so I decided we would head up to Portland Bill to see the famous lighthouse and have a bite to eat in the cafe.

Portland Bill and Chesil Beach are the graveyards of many vessels that failed to reach Weymouth or Portland Roads. The Portland Race is caused by the meeting of the tides between the Bill and the Shambles sandbank about 3 miles SE. Strong currents break the sea so fiercely that from the shore a continuous disturbance can be seen which looks like small white horses in the waves. Portland Bill Lighthouse guides vessels heading for Portland and Weymouth through these hazardous waters as well as acting as a waymark for ships navigating the English Channel.

Isaac was desperate to climb the lighthouse but sadly we were unable to as we had Sebby with us who is too small. I promised we will take him back another time to see the new exhibition and climb to the top. I can only imagine what the views would be like, especially on a clear day. Instead we explored the area around the lighthouse and clambered over the rocks looking for treasure.

We spent about an hour at Portland Bill before setting off in search of some fun on the beach, but we had to stop at Portland Heights to see the Olympics Rings which are made from Portland stone and a picture perfect view with the stunning backdrop of Chesil Beach, the Sailing Academy, the sailing waters, Nothe and Weymouth Bay.

Chesil Beach is 18 miles long and, on average, 160 metres wide and rises to 12 metres in height. It is a pebble and shingle tombolo connecting Portland to Abbotsbury and then continuing north-westwards to West Bay. We are frequent visitors to Burton Bradstock and West Bay but had yet to explore the eastern side so now was our chance.

We parked and headed across the bridge to explore the beach and all it had to offer. From up high it looks relatively small but it is huge – especially when you have little legs like Sebby. He was really unsure of walking on shingle at first but with some gentle persuasion and a carry up the steepest parts he soon got used to it, although schooching back down the bank on their bottoms proved easier than walking as it was that steep.

Isaac wanted a paddle but it is not recommended that you swim in the sea here as it shelves deeply very quickly and even in calm conditions large waves can suddenly appear. The shoreline of the beach is very steep and this can result in a very strong undertow under some wave conditions so we practiced our stone skimming skills instead.

Not having their sister around really changed the dynamic of the family and it was lovely to see the boys playing so nice together. They even had a bit of rough and tumble play before Sebby decided to stack pebbles on Isaac’s head.

On the way back to the car we stopped on the bridge to see if we could see any marine life and spotted a couple of crabs scuttling about under the water.

We have probably explored less than two miles of Chesil Beach, but it’s a start and Dorset Wildlife Trust run lots of family friendly events so we shall be back exploring some more of the beach soon.