Here are the details of maps for Portland:
We have published more than 1,900 maps in our series of Old Ordnance Survey Map reprints, including a group in Dorset. The maps are highly detailed. They are taken from the OS 1:2,500 (or 25 inch) maps and reduced to about 15 inches to the mile. Each covers an area of a mile and a half by a mile. They show streets with individual houses, tram tracks, railway tracks and even signals, factories, wharves and such details as fountains and water troughs. They will provide hours of fascination for historians and genealogists. The maps are neatly folded and each includes a specially written introduction to the area. Maps can be purchased on our On-line Mapshop where further information about titles is given. Or visit The Index Page for a full list to the series and details of Prices.
Here are the details of maps for Portland:
We have published four detailed maps for Weymouth, and these link up with each other to form a good group for what is almost an island, the Chesil Beach being the only natural link with the mainland. This is an extraordinary group of maps, the quarries given them an almost magical appearance, while a host of railways, inclines, prisons and cliffs give added appeal. Portland is a very special place, and those of us who have spent part of our lives there feel deeply porivileged.
The Castletown map covers the northern part of the island, and features here include The Mere, Portland Castle, Portland station, Victoria Square, Castletown, cemeteries, Balaclava Bay, naval piers, part of the Easton & Church Hope Railway, Portland Tramway. On the reverse we include part of the 1st Edition map of 1889, showing the original Portland station, Castletown, Royal Breakwater Hotel, New Coaling Camber, Breakwater Branch Railway.
The Fortuneswell map climbs upwards and includes Chesil Cove, Fortuneswell centre, Verne Yeates, The Grove, Portland tramway, Nicodemus Knob, St Peter's church (built by convicts) and vicarage (spent part of my childhood here), and numerous quarries: Tout Quarries, Trade Quarries, Inmosthay Quarries, Waycroft Quarries, Withies Croft Quarries, Independent Quarries. Prisons left blank for security, alas, but more than compensated for by wonderful depiction of quarries. On the reverse an extract from the 1st Edition 1889 map of The Grove and this shows many sidings running into Admiralty Quarries behind Grove, leading from Admiralty Incline.
The Easton map covers the centre of the island, with what might be termed its town centre, Easton. Features here include St George's church, Easton station, Wakeham, All Saints church, remains of St Andrew's church, Pennsylvania Castle, France Quarries, Rufus Castle, Church Hope Cove, Combefield Quarries, Suckthumb Quarries, Weston, many strip fields, Reforne Street, Easton & Church Hope Railway. On the back we include extracts from a contemporary directory.
The Southwell map completes the quartet, and is a double-sided map taking coverage right down to Portland Bill. Features here include Southwell, St Andrew's 'Avalanche' church, old and new lighthouses; but this is a more rural map, almost covered with strip fields and with smaller quarries on the west cliff.
You might find this index map useful.
Follow this link for a complete list of our Dorset Series maps.
You can order maps direct from our On-line Mapshop. For other information and prices, and other areas, go to The Index Page.
Maps in the Godfrey Edition are taken from the 25 inch to the mile map and reduced to about 15 inches to the mile. For a full list of maps for the South West, return to the South West page.
The Godfrey Edition / godfreyedition@btinternet.com / 24 January 2006