Our 1st Camper Van Trip of 2025 was just a couple of hours’ drive from home. It gave us a return visit to the Dorset Coast around Portland Bill.

Hive Beach is, made up of shingle, surrounded by striking sandstone cliffs. It forms part of the larger Chesil Beach. It is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. It is also the largest shingle ridge in the world. Burton Cliff offers one of the finest examples of the distinctive geology of this Bridport Sands area. The cliffs glow bright gold in the sunlight.

Chesil Bank looking towards the Isle of Portland and Portland Bill.

The Hardy Monument stands on a hill above the village of Portesham. It has uninterrupted views across the Dorset countryside. It was built in 1844 to honor Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy. He was the Flag Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. Lord Nelson died in his arms, saying the immortal words ‘Kiss me Hardy’.

The Isle of Portland is an island linked to the mainland by the Chesil bank. It is 6 kilometers long and 2.7 kilometers wide. The southern tip is known as Portland Bill. It lies 8 kilometers south of the resort of Weymouth. This location forms the southernmost point of the county of Dorset.

Portland stone is a limestone geological formation. It dates to the Tithonian age of the Late Jurassic period. It is quarried on the Isle of Portland. The quarries are cut in beds of white-grey limestone. It has been used extensively as a building stone throughout the British Isles. It is notably used in major public buildings in London, like St Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. Portland stone has been exported to many countries. For example, it is used at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

Portland’s quarries are interesting places to explore. They are full of tunnels and gullies. Many tramways and cranes can be found as you walk the area.