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Maiden Castle is the largest Iron Age hill fort in Europe and covers an area of 47 acres. Even after more than 2000 years, the earthworks are immense, some ramparts rising to a height of 6 metres. |
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Portland is a large Limestone outcrop off the Dorset coast, it is very windswept and has been shaped by several thousand years of industry. Many of the historic buildings in London are built with Portland stone.
In practice, this means that Portland is pretty grotty but as a vantage point for views of Chesil Beach it is worth the brief visit. Most of the buildings are too ordinary to show but this pretty mosaic is part of the Chesil Beach panorama, as seen from the highest view point on Portland Bill.
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Colmers Hill is the waymarker at Bridport...it tells you that you are nearly home! Named after a vicar in nearby Symondsbury, it is distinctive from the precariously perched pines, but we have no interesting anecdotes for you on this occasion - you would not be the first if you chose to do a painting of it!
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Chesil Beach is a long, narrow spit of land reaching 18 miles from Portland Bill to Abbotsbury. A steep slope of shingle is fronted by pebbles which have been polished smooth by the action of the waves. "Hag" pebbles can be found which have a hole bored through them by the natural action of the water.
The Fleet Nature Reserve, a protected wetland area formed in the lea of the Bank, is one of Europe's most important tidal and semi-tidal natural habitats, a haven for bird life
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The Shave Cross Inn is deep in the Vale of Marshwood. The Monks would pause here for a head shave before visiting the shrine at Whitchurch Canonicorum. Roy has brought a delicious caribbean influence into the kitchen, and nostalgia for the 60's/70's into the juke box (in the skittle alley). A warm welcome and local beer is found here all year round.
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