Sailing Accommodation close to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA)
Posted January 12th, 2013 | No Comments
Sailing Accommodation close to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) . Ideally situated for anyone visiting Weymouth and Portland for annual sailing events, such as EUROSAF Champions Sailing League ‘Sail for Gold’ on 9th - 13th June. Can sleep up to 10 people in king-size or single beds, 4 bedrooms.
CONTEMPORARY COTTAGES GOES ‘SUPERFAST’ with WIFI
Posted April 17th, 2012 | No Comments
All Contemporary Cottages now have free WIFI SUPERFAST BT INFINITY FIBRE OPTIC BROADBAND!! With download speeds of up to 40Mb and upload speeds of 10Mb. Take a look at our self-catering accommodation on Portland Dorset, all with amazing sea views, plenty of parking and contemporary design. Still some late availability for May, June and July - special offers available - reduced prices.
Things to Do on Portland
Posted July 2nd, 2010 | No Comments
The Isle of Portland in Dorset is one of the main gateways to the legendary Jurassic Coast of southern England. This gorgeous stretch of land is known for its abundance of highly prized limestone which is quarried and used to construct many well known buildings, like St. Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace, throughout the UK. Limestone might be the most profitable of Portland’s exports, but it is really the natural jewels that you can find on this peninsula which attracts so many of the tourists that visit here year after year.
The first glimpse of Portland can be seen as you drive onto the island bypassing the long stretch of Chesil beach. Along this beach you can find every kind of water sport you can think of to fill your days. Windsurfing, diving and sailing are well established pastimes in this region, and it is here that will be the venue for the 2012 Olympic sailing event. If diving is more your fancy, you can hire guides and instructors to aide your venture into Portland Harbour, the deepest man-made harbour in the United Kingdom. There are many old wrecks to explore underneath the water’s surface, including some fascinating relics from WWII.
On land, you can make your way to Portland Bill, the southern-most point in Dorset, which is the location for the red and white striped lighthouse that is still in use today. Two other lighthouses are also on the Bill; the Old Lower Lighthouse, home of the Portland Bill Bird Observatory, and the Old Higher Lighthouse, which is privately owned. A former owner of the Higher Lighthouse was Dr. Marie Stopes, the pioneer of birth control who opened the first family planning clinic in London in 1921. She also founded the Portland Museum which features maritime artefacts and history.
Also of interest is the sheer amount of pure, unadulterated land to be found here! You can walk or cycle around the cliffs or even take this opportunity to explore more of southern Dorset. Don’t forget to visit the two castles that are on the peninsula, Portland Castle and Rufus Castle. Portland Castle was built under King Charles in the sixteenth century to defend this run of coast from the French and the Spanish. It is one of the best preserved castles from this era and is not to be missed. Rufus Castle, named after William II with his red hair, is the ancient Norman castle that was originally built in the twelfth century, though what remains today was mainly rebuilt around the 1400s. It stands on a rock overlooking the Church Ope Cove.
There is a wide selection of holiday accommodations available to suit all budgets, ranging from hostels to B&Bs, self-catering cottages to hotels. Wherever you choose to stay, make sure to ask the owner’s recommendations on their favourite places to visit in Portland, as this little jewel of the south has tonnes to offer.
Tout Quarry Sculpture Park
Posted June 15th, 2010 | No Comments
For a new spin on a walk whilst in Portland, why not visit the Tout Quarry Sculpture Park. The abandoned quarry is situated between the cliff’s edge and the road to Portland Bill on the northwest corner of Top hill. You can access this quarry by walking along the road to Fortuneswell, turning right onto Wide street, then right again at the Tradecroft Estate. It is at the bottom of the hill.
In 1983, the Tout Quarry Sculpture project began to make something beautiful out of a deserted old spot that had lost its usefulness. Now, visitors are able to walk through the quarry exploring the wide variety of different works of sculpted art. And, with so much displayed, you could visit every year and still see something new each time.
New to the park is the stone lithophone, an instrument made entirely of stone. Dame Evelyn Glennie, percussionist, is set to play this remarkable instrument, for the opening ceremony of the sailing event for the 2012 Olympics. To make this, each stone had to be painstakingly sculpted and tested to produce a specific tone.
For those that are keen to take this experience into a more active role, it is possible to take courses in stone sculpture via the Portland Sculpture and Quarry Trust. They offer weekend, 1 week, 2 week, and 4 week courses on selected dates throughout the year.
Windsurfing in Portland, the Biggest Thrill
Posted May 14th, 2010 | No Comments
Portland Dorset is one of the top venues in the UK for windsurfing. This man made harbour is recognised as a recreation area and as such is a safe place to bring out your adventurous side. There are plenty of shops that can cater to all of your windsurfing needs, from equipment hire to servicing, launching facilities to training instructors.
If you’d rather watch the professionals at play, then make sure to visit during the annual Four Nations Windsurfing Championship or the Volvo RYA Windsurfing Youth & Masters National Championships. Portland is well-known for its ideal conditions for water sport, and will even be the location for the upcoming 2012 Olympics Sailing Events.
Real Reindeer Day on Sunday 6th December
Posted December 1st, 2009 | No Comments
Visit Brewers Quay Weymouth Dorset and see two real live reindeer on Sunday 6th December from 12 noon to 4 pm for everyone to pet and feed. Visit Weymouth for a short break on the weekend of 4th, 5th and 6th December, finish your Christmas shopping and enjoy staying at a self-catering contemporary cottage on Portland with fabulous sea views at a really special price of £120 for 3 days for 6 people. The best alternative to hotels in Weymouth Dorset.
Sailing & Crew Accommodation Portland
Posted August 12th, 2009 | No Comments
Excellent contemporary self-catering sailing & crew accommodation on Portland. Very close to Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy. All houses sleep up to 8 people can be all single or double beds. Fabulous views over the sea and harbour. All have Freesat TV, Parking and free Wifi. Accommodation Portland available from 29th September.
BBC Railway Walks takes you to Portland
Posted April 8th, 2009 | 2 Comments
Did you watch the BBC Railway Walks programme on Monday 6th April? Julia Bradbury walked the route of the old Weymouth to Portland railway line.
Download the Railway Walk Leaflet – Click Here.
Download 5 local walks based around Weymouth – Click Here.
Self catering accommodation in Dorset
Posted March 6th, 2009 | 2 Comments
The sun is shining in Dorset - visit our new website and book a holiday in June or July to see the fantastic sunsets at Portland.
Contemporary Cottages new website
Posted February 5th, 2009 | 5 Comments
Contemporary Cottages has launched a new website www.contemporarycottages.co.uk let us know what you think and if you have stayed in one of our houses please add a comment on our Blog.
