- The Isle of Portland, also known as Portland, lies south of Weymouth in Dorset. It is possibly either Ictis or Mictis in the Tin Islands of the Ancient Tin Trade.
- Portland is thought to have been called Vindelis by the Romans. Portland Stone has been quarried on the Island since the Roman Occupation.
History of Portland
- Chesil Beach is a natural pebblestone barrier with a lagoon behind it, running 18 miles (29km) from West Bay to Portland. Chesil Beach and Portland are part of the Jurassic Coast, A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Portland Harbour has existed for centuries as a port of refuge.
- The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records the first Viking landing at Portland in 789 CE, four years before the attack on Lindisfarne in 793 CE.
- Henry VIII built two castles to defend Portland harbour in 1541 CE.
- The Admiralty built a Harbour with four Breakwaters for the Royal Navy between 1849-1872 CE. At the time, it was the largest man-made harbour in the world.
Portland Bill, Isle of Portland