Wild Chesil Centre Portland

The Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre is a family-friendly visitor centre managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust, located on Portland Beach Road (DT4 9XE), halfway along the causeway between Weymouth and Portland. It serves as a gateway to the iconic Chesil Beach and Fleet Lagoon, an 18-mile shingle beach and wildlife-rich tidal lagoon, part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Highlights:

• Interactive Displays: Learn about Chesil Beach’s geology, wildlife, and history through exhibits, including an underwater camera, marine touch table, and birdwatching window with binoculars.
• Activities: Guided nature walks, birdwatching events, and Fleet Explorer boat trips (April–September) to view wildlife like little terns and mute swans.
• Pebble Pig Café: Run by The Salt Pig, offering locally sourced light lunches, snacks, and drinks. Open 10am–4pm daily.
• Shop: Wildlife-inspired gifts, books, local art, and Opticron binoculars, with profits supporting conservation.
• Boardwalk: Wheelchair-accessible path to the beach, featuring 335 brass plaques for dedications (£250 each).

Key Features:

• Open 7 days a week, 10am–4pm (extends to 5pm after Easter), except Christmas and Boxing Day.
• Free entry, with pay-and-display parking (disabled spaces available).
• Wheelchair-accessible centre and boardwalk, with disabled toilets. Dogs welcome on leads.
• Volunteer-run, with opportunities to join the team or dedicate plaques.
• Stunning views of Portland, Fleet Lagoon, and the Jurassic Coast, ideal for birdwatching (e.g., oystercatchers, little terns).

Conservation: The centre supports Chesil Beach and Fleet Lagoon, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and Special Protection Area (SPA). It promotes wildlife protection, including nesting birds, and restricts beach access during breeding seasons.

April 2025 Notes:

• No specific events are listed for April 2025, but Fleet Explorer boat trips typically start in April, offering views of the little tern colony. Check www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk for updates.
• Spring highlights include pink thrift blooms and coastal plants like sea campion and yellow horn poppy.

Contact: 01305 206191, www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk.

For a wild day out, combine with nearby attractions like Portland Bill Lighthouse or Abbotsbury Swannery!

Below are directions to the Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre:

By Car

Directions:

• Head onto the A35 toward Dorchester
• At the A35/A354 junction in Dorchester, take the A354 toward Weymouth.
• In Weymouth, follow the A354 (Portland Road) south toward Portland.
• Continue along Portland Beach Road (causeway). The Wild Chesil Centre is halfway along, on the left, with a pay-and-display car park (disabled spaces available).
  Tips:
• Traffic can be heavy on the A354 in Weymouth during peak times (e.g., summer weekends). Allow extra time in April if visiting during Easter holidays.
• Parking is pay-and-display; bring change or use contactless payment if available.
• Satnav: Use postcode DT4 9XE.

By Public Transport

Overview: No direct bus or train goes to the Wild Chesil Centre, so you’ll combine train or bus to Weymouth, then a short bus ride or walk to the centre.

Option 1: Train + Bus/Walk

• Train: Take a South Western Railway train to Weymouth Station (approx. 50–60 minutes, hourly services). (
• Bus: From Weymouth Station, catch the First Bus X54 (Weymouth–Portland–Easton) or No. 1 (Weymouth–Portland). Get off at Chesil Beach Centre stop (5–7 minutes). Buses run every 30–60 minutes; fares ~£2–£4. Check www.firstbus.co.uk.
• Walk (Alternative): From Weymouth Station, walk 1.5 miles (25–30 minutes) along Portland Road to the centre. Follow the A354 south, staying on the pavement along the causeway. The centre is on the left.
• Option 2: Bus Only
• Take the National Express or Morebus X54 to Weymouth (King’s Statue stop, ~1.5 hours, fares ~£8–£12). Transfer to the First Bus X54 or No. 1 to Chesil Beach Centre stop.
  Tips:
• Check bus timetables at www.firstbus.co.uk or www.travelinesw.com, as schedules may vary.
• Buy train tickets in advance for discounts.
• The centre is a short walk from the bus stop, with clear signage.