Weston, Dorset

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Weston
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Weston
Location within Dorset
OS grid reference SY690721
Unitary authority
Shire county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town PORTLAND
Postcode district DT5 1
Dialling code 01305
Police Dorset
Fire Dorset and Wiltshire
Ambulance South Western
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Dorset
50°32′23″N2°26′50″W / 50.53971°N 2.44729°W / 50.53971; -2.44729 Coordinates: 50°32′23″N2°26′50″W / 50.53971°N 2.44729°W / 50.53971; -2.44729

Weston is a village in Tophill on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It abuts the main village Easton. As with the rest of Portland's villages and settlements, Weston has been designated as a conservation area, as it is a place of special architectural and historic interest. The village was designated in 1994. [1] [2]

Contents

History

The village grew up through the industry of agriculture, with Weston being surrounded by strip fields, also known as lawnsheds. [2] It is likely that Roman occupation saw the development of Weston as a village, by establishing the various ponds and wells. [2] Weston remained a small settlement for many centuries. [3] From the 19th century, housing had caused the large expansion of many of Portland's villages, although Weston remained a small settlement. The early 20th century saw inland quarrying beginning to destroy some of Weston's surrounding fields. [2]

The second half of the 20th century saw Weston undergo extensive changes, with the major expansion of the village. During the 1960s, large housing estates were placed on either side of the village, towards the western cliffs, and Easton village. The building of the Haylands housing estate commenced during the late 1960s. The construction of the Weston Estate at West Cliff was originally for the Admiralty, but was later sold as private housing. This estate continued to expand throughout the 1970s. [4] Despite the expansion, Weston is still set amongst expansive fields to the east and south. [5]

Features

Part of Weston Road Weston Road, Portland, Dorset - geograph.org.uk - 1288700.jpg
Part of Weston Road

The village features a small number of commercial business based along the main Weston Road. The top of Weston Road has the Royal Manor Arts College, which is Portland's only secondary school. It became a campus of the Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy in 2012, and closed in 2016, along with other schools on the island, to be replaced by a new school situated at Southwell Business Park. On this side of the road is a restored stone-walled Sheep Pound, once used by the Court Leet to impound straying sheep and cattle. [6]

Along West Cliff, near the Weston Estate, Blacknor Fort was built around 1902 and the stronghold was equipped during both World Wars. [7] The fort is now converted into a private clifftop residence. [8] Further south, on the edge of the estate once stood ROC Post Portland Bill, which was operational from 1960 to 1991, and was demolished circa 2008. [9]

To the north is Reforne, Easton, which holds St George's Church and St George's Centre - the former which can be seen from Weston. Close to the church, within Weston, is Portland's only public cemetery. To the east of the village, and near Easton, are the two Portland Windmills. The disused and historic stone towers date from as early as 1608. Both windmills have been separate Grade II Listed monuments since September 1978, and are the only historic windmill remains to survive in Dorset. [10] [11]

On the west side of Weston Road, opposite the Royal Manor School, is one of the few archaeological sites on the Isle of Portland. Remains of what is likely to be a Roman villa and high quality medieval building remains have been discovered. [6] The ruins dating from the Iron Age, Roman and Medieval periods were unearthed during the topsoil clearance. [12]

Grade listed features

Weston has a wide array of architecture and buildings, a number of which are Grade Listed. High Croft Cottage (51 Providence Place), 53 Providence Place, Wanganui Cottage (71 Weston Road), 82-84 Weston Road, along with its attached wall, 64 Weston Road and its attached wall, and 72 Weston Road have all become Grade II listed. [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] The row of houses consisting of 44, 44A, 46, and 48 Weston Street all make up what was once a farmhouse, and have become Grade II Listed. [19]

Related Research Articles

Portland Bill

Portland Bill is a narrow promontory at the southern end of the Isle of Portland, and the southernmost point of Dorset, England. One of Portland's most popular destinations is Portland Bill Lighthouse. Portland's coast has been notorious for the number of shipwrecked vessels over the centuries. The dangerous coastline features shallow reefs and the Shambles sandbank, made more hazardous due to the strong Portland tidal race.

Fortuneswell Human settlement in England

Fortuneswell is a village in Underhill on the Isle of Portland, in Dorset, England. It lies on steeply sloping land on the northern edge of the island, known as Underhill, where Chesil Beach connects the island to the mainland. Adjoining Fortuneswell are Chiswell to the west and Castletown to the north. Fortuneswell occupies the steeper land above sea level, whereas Chiswell and Castletown occupy flat land close to sea level, next to Chesil Beach and Portland Harbour respectively. Fortuneswell has a main shopping street, and along with Easton, is the main hub of the island's activities.

Easton, Dorset Human settlement in England

Easton is a village on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. The village is situated at Tophill, within the centre of the island. As with the rest of Portland's villages and settlements, Easton, including the settlements Reforne and Straits, has been designated as a conservation area, as it is a place of special architectural and historic interest. Easton, Wakeham and Reforne were designated pre-1974.

Wakeham Human settlement in England

Wakeham is a hamlet near the village of Easton, in Tophill on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. It is situated between the Straits part of Easton, and Pennsylvania Castle. As with the rest of Portland's villages and settlements, Wakeham has been designated as a conservation area, as it is a place of special architectural and historic interest. Easton, Wakeham and Reforne were designated pre-1974. The hamlet features a distinctively wide road running through it, once built to allow space for horse-drawn carts transporting stone by road. Many of Wakeham's older buildings of the 17th and 18th century survive.

Castletown, Dorset Human settlement in England

Castletown is a small village in Underhill on the Isle of Portland in Dorset. It is located close to Fortuneswell, on the shores of Portland Harbour, and includes a sandy beach, as well as one of Portland's notable highlights; Portland Castle, while the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy is also located nearby.

Southwell, Dorset Human settlement in England

Southwell is a small coastal village in Tophill on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. As Portland and Dorset's southernmost village, it lies between Portland Bill and the villages of Easton and Weston. Though close to the Bill, the village is sheltered by hills on three sides. It is the only village on Portland not to be designated a conservation area.

Church Ope Cove

Church Ope Cove is a small secluded beach on the sheltered eastern side of the Isle of Portland in Dorset, southern England and is part of the Jurassic Coast. It is found close to the village of Wakeham. The beach has many unusual features for the Isle of Portland. The beach used to be sandy, but quarry debris now covers the sand, and has been worn into rounded pebbles. The pebbles cover a small stream which runs to the sea, which is one of the few active streams remaining on the Isle of Portland.

Pennsylvania Castle

Pennsylvania Castle is a Gothic Revival mansion on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It is located in Wakeham and overlooks Church Ope Cove. The castle is Grade II Listed, as is the adjacent gatehouse and lodges, which are now in separate ownership.

The Grove, Portland Human settlement in England

The Grove is a small village located at Tophill on the Isle of Portland in Dorset. The village is found close to the larger village Easton, and is most notable for containing the Youth Offender's Institute HM Prison Portland, including its museum Grove Prison Museum. As with the rest of Portland's villages and settlements, The Grove has been designated as a conservation area, as it is a place of special architectural and historic interest. The village was designated in 1981.

Hallelujah Bay A bay in United Kingdom

Hallelujah Bay is a bay located on the west side of the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. The bay is situated below West Weares, with Clay Ope, Blacknor Point and Mutton Cove further south. Near the cove is a large mound of rock and earth beneath the clifftops known locally as the Green Hump.

Portland Windmills

The Portland Windmills are two disused stone towers which were used as windmills from at least the early 17th century. They are located south of Easton village and the east of Weston village. The towers, which are relatively short mills with conical caps, stand approximately 135 metres apart. They have been separate Grade II Listed monuments since September 1978, and are the only historic windmill remains to survive in Dorset.

The Old Engine Shed, Portland

The Old Engine Shed is a disused 19th-century shed, once used to house locomotives serving the Admiralty Quarries. The shed overlooks East Weares and is located near The Grove village area, on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. It has been a Listed Grade II building since 2001, with English Heritage recording that it is unusual for locomotive sheds from this period to survive in so unaltered a state.

Easton Gardens

Easton Gardens is a public garden, located at Tophill, Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It is found at Easton Square, the centre of Easton village. The gardens have remained a focal point since their opening in 1904 and have been awarded the Green Flag Award in recent years. The gardens feature grassed and formal bedding areas, with other facilities including a children's play area and basketball court.

The Cove House Inn

The Cove House Inn is an 18th-century public house on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It is situated within the village of Chiswell, and alongside Chesil Beach on the esplanade. The Cove House Inn remains one of Portland's most popular pubs, and has been reputed to be one of the best inns for panoramic views in the area. The pub has been a Grade II Listed Building since May 1993.

Culverwell Mesolithic Site

Culverwell Mesolithic Site is a Mesolithic settlement, located on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It is found in the local area known as Culverwell, along the Portland Bill Road. It is within an area of unspoiled countryside, with no past quarrying. The site is maintained by the Association for Portland Archaeology – a small group dedicated to researching, investigating and excavating on Portland.

Grove Lime Kiln Historical industrial site in Dorset, England

Grove Lime Kiln is a disused 19th century lime kiln on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It is located close to HM Prison Portland and The Grove village. Owned by the prison service, the lime kiln has been Grade II Listed since 2009.

St Johns Church, Portland

St. John's Church is a Anglican Church of England church in Fortuneswell, on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. It was built between 1838–40 and has been a Listed Grade II building since January 1951. The churchyard walls, gate piers, railings, and steps of St. John's Church, dating from 1839–40, became Grade II Listed in September 1978. At this same time, two headstone monuments, about 5 metres north east from the west tower of the church became Grade II Listed.

Easton Methodist Church

Easton Methodist Church is a Methodist Church in Easton, on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, which was built in 1906–07. The church, along with its former manse and boundary walls, has been a Grade II* Listed since May 1993. Its church hall was formerly a Wesleyan school, dated 1878 on the porch. The school, with the boundary wall, was designated Grade II in May 1993. The church remains active to date, as part of the Portland Methodist Circuit – which involves two churches; Underhill Methodist Church and Easton Methodist Church.

Southwell Methodist Chapel

Southwell Methodist Chapel is a former Methodist chapel on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It is situated within Portland and Dorset's southernmost village Southwell. Established in 1849, it was built between terraced cottages on the east side of the road leading from Southwell to Portland Bill. The chapel closed in 1997 and is now a private residence. It has been Grade II Listed since May 1993.

Victoria Square, Portland

Victoria Square is a public square on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. Developed in the 19th century, it is situated at the entrance to Portland, close to Chesil Beach, Osprey Quay, and the small fishing village of Chiswell.

References

  1. ↑ "Appraisal of the Conservation Areas of Portland". dorsetforyou.com. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Appraisal of the Conversation Areas of Portland" (PDF). Dorsetforyou.com. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "Portland - Chronology of the Island of Portland 700 - 1905 AD". Pbenyon.plus.com. 1 December 1903. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  4. ↑ Morris, Stuart (1985). Portland: An Illustrated History. Dovecote Press. p. 146. ISBN   978-0946159345.
  5. ↑ "Weston Estate, Portland". Geoffkirby.co.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Royal Manor School, Portland, Dorset". Geoffkirby.co.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "Quick facts about the Jurassic Coast". Jurassiccoastline.com. 27 April 1944. Archived from the original on 2 June 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  8. ↑ "Blacknor, Portland, Dorset". Geoffkirby.co.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  9. ↑ "Portland Bill Dorset". Subbrit.org.uk. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  10. ↑ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1203067)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  11. ↑ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1281885)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  12. ↑ The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map. "More prehistoric discoveries on Portland : The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map:". Megalithic.co.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  13. ↑ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1203107)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  14. ↑ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1203108)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  15. ↑ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1203133)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  16. ↑ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1203134)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  17. ↑ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1206477)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  18. ↑ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1206490)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  19. ↑ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1206525)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 26 June 2014.
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