Welcome to Portesham, a beautiful West Dorset village, superbly located for access to the spectacular World Heritage Jurassic Coast, South West Coastal Path and South Dorset Ridgeway, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and only a short drive from Weymouth, Dorchester or Bridport.
Whether you want to find out what's going on in the locality, join a group, volunteer, or need a plumber, you'll find all sorts of useful information here on our community website.
Portesham Scarecrow fun!
Good News....
A scarecrow is put in fields to scare birds away so they don't eat seeds and newly planted crops.
To celebrate harvest and our local farmers, St Peter's Church will be holding a drive-in service at the playing field, Elworth on the 27th September at 15.00.
MAKE YOUR OWN SCARECROW, PUT HIM/HER IN YOUR GARDEN, WHERE IT CAN BE SEEN, BY 27TH SEPTEMBER
We have new geese!
Thanks to Graham Parker & Graham Whitby for flying them in from Litton Cheney,
Missing since 31st July: Little Oscar
Oscar's nearly 1, is super friendly, very inquisitive and has been missing since last Friday morning.
Being a curious little soul, his owner suspects he has got himself locked in a shed or garage.
Could you please check yours and let Nicki of Malthouse Meadow (07584 438371) know if you've seen him. Thank you!
*Latest addition*
Be sure to check out Elizabeth's update to Archie Carberry's adventures in Village Tales found in Living/Local/Village Tales and scrolling up....
Sad news....
Many Portesham villagers will know of George the Goose and his many broods of ducklings he took under his wing each year.
Sadly we have to report that he was humanely put to sleep today, the 18th July, please read a short testimony for him here.
To advertise your Portesham group or business please leave us a short message on the subscriptions page
It's a spacious, modern hall ideally situated on the edge of our historic and picturesque village in the heart of the Dorset countryside.
With 3 rooms for hire, a small garden and a car park, you can hire the whole hall for a special event or any of the rooms that suit your needs.
Portesham Heritage
High above the village on Blackdown Hill, is the magnificent 72 ft stone monument to Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy GCB, our famous 19th century resident, who fought under Admiral Lord Nelson as Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.
It was the most important sea battle of the 19th century, resulting in the British Navy, becoming the world's largest sea power for the next 100 years.
Comet Neowise - 19th July 2020 - next viewing 8786AD...
As is tradition, named after the discoverer: NASA's space telescope "Near Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer"
As Nelson died it is well documented that he was overheard by those around him to say "Kiss me Hardy"; however, the Victorian's much preferred to believe that it was "Kismet Hardy" that was said, 'kismet' being the Turkish word for FATE.
The current owners of Hardy's House have a fascinating tale of fate and coincidence to tell you relating to the very recent discovery of the lost original sundial that started its life here, in the garden of Portesham House, nearly 250 years ago!
Read that story HERE.
Do you have a Portesham story you'd like to share ? Tell it HERE and read it HERE!
Created by local people to record and share their village heritage.
View it on The Green opposite the Kings Arms.
More detailed images of the map can be found on the Portesham Map page
It's now nearly 50 years since this little booklet was created to celebrate the Centenary of Portesham Church School and 100 years of Portesham history.
Take a walk on the wild side ...
Photography - Copyright © 2020 Geoffrey Thomas
Our Favourite!
Dorset Rights of Way
Click on the Dorset Explorer map below to view the Pink (footpath) or Green (bridleway) Rights of Way.
Select the Base Map Icon on the right hand toolbar to turn on the Ordinance Survey map.
Use it with Location on your mobile phone to accurately find your position along the many beautiful walks around Portesham.
