Portesham
Portesham maps (2 available)
Map of Dorset
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
Personalised maps
Create an historic map centred directly on any postcode!
Portesham books (13 available)
- 1 photos on Portesham appear in 1 Frith books - View photos of Portesham
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Portesham and Dorset
Portesham memories
Read and share memories of Portesham and Dorset inspired by Frith photos
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Dorset memories
Fond Memories
My family moved to Eastbrook House in 1970 and lived there for about 11 years, I was ages 1-11 at that time so my first memories and experiences were of Eastbrook, Upwey, Dorchester and Weymouth in that order. I drive through Upwey whenever I can on nostalgia trips and always stop outside Eastbrook to reminisce and to see what changes are going on. My wife thinks I'm obsessed with Upwey and especially Eastbrook! Maybe she's right.
A memory of Upwey contributed by Robert Knight
First visit to Weymouth 1948.
I first visited Weymouth in 1948 with my mother, father, brother Terry and sister Joan. We travelled down from Chesterfield in Derbyshire in dad's pre-war Morris 8 saloon, and camped at Waterside in Bowleaze Cove, which was then owned by Mr. A.H.Pheby.
We were amazed at our first view of Weymouth and Portland from the hill overlooking the town, and we all came to love the place so much that we all continued to visit for many years afterwards. I have brought my children and grandchildren here many times, sometimes twice in a year, and will be coming again this year (2008) in my 70th year, 60 years after the first visit!
We particularly enjoyed the Jazz in June concert in ...read more here
A memory of Weymouth contributed by Jefre Kay
Weymouth - Chapelhay and the corner of Buxton Road bombsites
I was only small when we moved to Longfield Road but old enough to remember walking through the bombsites and noticing wallflowers, buddliea and butterflies among the heaps of rubble and being concerned when coming across a fireplace or something that looked like a part of someone`s house.
A memory of Weymouth contributed by Sarah Smith
1962 Vacation - 1968
It was the year before I married that my husband to be and myself went on a vacation to Weymouth. We had a lovely time, the weather was just glorious for us. We always said that when we married we would revisit Weymouth. Well, we did in the year 1968 with our first born she was 4 years old at that time. I remember so well enjoying a day on the beach, and my little daughter had such fun watching Punch & Judy shows. I would like to visit Weymouth again one of these days to relive all those memories of bygone days.
A memory of Weymouth contributed by Brenda Vanderwert
Extracts From Portesham & Dorset books
Portesham lies between the Hardy Monument and the sea; the area around is particularly rich in prehistoric monuments. The King's Arms is situated at the heart of this peaceful community.
An extract from from"Dorset Revisited Photographic Memories".
Close to the Top o’Town, Dorset’s most famous
son is commemorated in this life-size bronze
statue by Eric Kennington, set on a Portland
stone plinth. Unveiled by Sir James Barrie in
1931, the statue shows Hardy seated and
dressed for the country, wearing a jacket and
leather gaiters, with his hat on his knee. Around
the figure are plants and animals, symbolizing
Hardy’s love for his native countryside.
An extract from from"Dorchester Photographic Memories".
The river runs alongside the right
of the churchyard. The church
building includes parts of an
11th-century pre-Norman church,
with further additions being spread
over the next eight hundred years.
In the background is the war
memorial and several thatched
cottages . The church of St Mary
was recently damaged by flooding.
An extract from from"Dorchester Photographic Memories".
This footbridge is
still to be found in the
village. The young man
may be delivering post,
judging by his bag. He is
apparently travelling
on two wheels, as he
is wearing bicycle clips.
His straw boater is in the
fashion of the time.
An extract from from"Dorchester Photographic Memories".
Here we see the back
of the great tithe barn,
which was built in about
1413. It was claimed
to be one of the largest
in the country at 276ft
long. It is a reminder of
the power of the church
during the Middle Ages.
An extract from from"Dorchester Photographic Memories".