Islands · South West England
Pulpit Rock, Portland
In or near Fortuneswell.
Pulpit Rock is a coastal feature at Portland Bill, the southern tip of the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. Intended to have the appearance of an open bible leaning on a pulpit, Pulpit Rock was form
Jim Champion — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 4 h–12 h
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
About
Pulpit Rock is a coastal feature at Portland Bill, the southern tip of the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. Intended to have the appearance of an open bible leaning on a pulpit, Pulpit Rock was formed in the 1870s after a natural arch was cut away by quarrymen at Bill Quarry, and the leaning slab was added. As a quarrying relic, the rock is similar to that of Nicodemus Knob, another quarrying landmark on the island. Pulpit Rock has become a popular tourist attraction on the island and is often photographed. Despite the danger, for many decades it has been a popular place for tombstoning. Pulpit Rock is also a popular point for wrasse anglers. The British record Ballan wrasse was caught there in 1998 by Pete Hegg. The geological succession up from sea level is: Portland Cherty Series (up to the level of the neighbouring quarried platform), then Portland Freestone (the oolitic limestone quarried inland of Pulpit Rock), then a cap of thin-bedded limestones which are part of the basal Purbeck Formation.
Photo gallery
Official information
Pulpit Rock is a notable geological formation located on the Isle of Portland, known for its striking cliffs and scenic views. Visitors can explore the surrounding area, which features rugged coastlines and opportunities for photography and walking. The site is also near the historic Portland Bill Lighthouse, adding to its appeal.
Protected designations
- Site of Special Scientific Interest: Isle of Portland SSSI
Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.
From the Wikipedia article
Pulpit Rock is a coastal feature at Portland Bill, the southern tip of the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. Intended to have the appearance of an open bible leaning on a pulpit, Pulpit Rock was formed in the 1870s after a natural arch was cut away by quarrymen at Bill Quarry, and the leaning slab was added. As a quarrying relic, the rock is similar to that of Nicodemus Knob, another quarrying landmark on the island. Pulpit Rock has become a popular tourist attraction on the island and is often photographed. Despite the danger, for many decades it has been a popular place for tombstoning. Pulpit Rock is also a popular point for wrasse anglers. The British record Ballan wrasse was caught there in 1998 by Pete Hegg. The geological succession up from sea level is: Portland Cherty Series (up to the level of the neighbouring quarried platform), then Portland Freestone (the oolitic limestone quarried inland of Pulpit Rock), then a cap of thin-bedded limestones which are part of the basal Purbeck Formation.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
- Coordinates
- 50.5142, -2.4595
- District
- Dorset
- Parish
- Portland
- Postcode
- DT5 2JT
- Parliamentary constituency
- South Dorset
- Official site
- www.trinityhouse.co.uk
Sources
- wikipedia: Pulpit Rock, Portland (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Portland Bill Lighthouse
Lighthouses · 0.2 km
Trinity House Obelisk
Memorials & monuments · 0.2 km
Portland Bill
Viewpoints · 0.2 km
White Hole
Caves · 0.2 km
Red Crane
Marinas · 0.5 km
Portland Bill Low Light
Lighthouses · 0.8 km
Portland Bill High Light
Lighthouses · 0.9 km
Culverwell Mesolithic Site
Hill forts · 1.1 km
Cave Hole
Caves · 1.2 km
Cave Hole
Mountains & hills · 1.2 km
Blow Hole
Caves · 1.3 km
Sweet Hill Farm
Campsites · 1.7 km
Nearby
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Portland Bill Lighthouse
Portland Bill Lighthouse — lighthouse on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England, UK.
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Trinity House Obelisk
Trinity House Obelisk is a memorial in the United Kingdom.
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Portland Bill
Portland Bill is a viewpoint in the United Kingdom.
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White Hole
White Hole is a cave in the United Kingdom.
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Portland Bill Low Light
Portland Bill Low Light — lighthouse in Portland, Weymouth and Portland, Dorset, England, UK.
Where to eat & stay near Pulpit Rock, Portland
Places to stay
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Sweet Hill Farm
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Places to eat & drink
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The George Inn
The George Inn in England South West, United Kingdom.
📷 7Historic pubs · South West England
Royal Portland Arms
Royal Portland Arms in England South West, United Kingdom.
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The Cove House Inn
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📷 4Frequently asked questions
- Where is Pulpit Rock, Portland?
- Pulpit Rock, Portland is in South-West England, United Kingdom (postcode DT5 2JT), in the parish of Portland.
- What is Pulpit Rock, Portland?
- Pulpit Rock is a coastal feature at Portland Bill, the southern tip of the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. Intended to have the appearance of an open bible leaning on a pulpit, Pulpit Rock was form
- How do I get to Pulpit Rock, Portland?
- Drivers can use postcode DT5 2JT.
- Is Pulpit Rock, Portland a protected site?
- Yes — Pulpit Rock, Portland is part of the Isle of Portland SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest.
- Is Pulpit Rock, Portland free to visit?
- Yes, Pulpit Rock, Portland is free to enter.
- How do I get to Pulpit Rock, Portland?
- Drivers can navigate to postcode DT5 2JT. It sits within the South Dorset parliamentary constituency.