PORTLAND’S iconic lighthouse is to get a new visitor centre.

Lighthouse authority and maritime charity Trinity House has announced plans to create a £100,000 attraction showcasing its history and heritage next to the landmark lighthouse at Portland Bill.

It will be housed on the ground floor of one of the former lighthouse keepers’ cottages, in the space formerly occupied by the Tourist Information Centre, and will open next Easter.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council controversially closed the TIC last year as part of budget cuts in favour of working with businesses to provide tourist information.

The new visitor centre will not be a TIC but rather be themed around Trinity House’s maritime history and its responsibilities providing aids to navigation, charitable support and educational services to the mariner since 1514.

Visitors will learn the history of the lighthouse before climbing the stairs as part of guided tours.

It will aim to appeal to all ages including school groups as it will have Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 education packs.

Entry charges will apply for those who just want to visit the centre and for those who want the added thrill of climbing the lighthouse.

Trinity House says Portland Bill lighthouse has been popular with visitors for years but their experience has been ‘limited to ascending the lighthouse’. The centre will aim to engage visitors and will also mean the attraction is open for longer throughout the year.

The organisation has agreed a lease for the cottages with The Crown Estate, which took over ownership of the cottages in 1996 when the lighthouse was automated.

Planning and performance manager for Trinity House Steve Dunning said a lot of experience has been gained in running visitor centres and he predicts Portland Bill will be a hit – more popular that the Lizard Lighthouse Heritage Centre in Cornwall.

He said: “The lighthouse is synonymous with the Bill and many people who visit south Dorset end up there.

“But we believe people want to know what the lighthouse is all about and why it’s there and this centre will explain that. Ninety five per cent of UK trade goes by ship and lighthouses are very important to ensure ships have a safe passage.”

Mr Dunning said providing local information at the centre for visitors wouldn’t be ruled out if it was suggested. Trinity House will be looking for a partner organisation to operate the business on a day-to-day basis.

Portland historian Stuart Morris welcomed the new attraction for Portland and said it would encourage more visitors.

  • Following the closure of the TIC at Portland Bill the borough council has been working with local businesses to plug the gap. A visitor information centre opened at the Heights Hotel earlier this year and a tourism information point will be opening at Portland Castle for a trial basis next year.