Name: Historic Loading Crane
Rating: 2

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United Kingdom

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Portland

Historic Loading Crane

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Places to see

United Kingdom

England

South West England

Dorset

Weymouth And Portland

Portland

Historic Loading Crane

17 people recommended this place

Recommended by 17 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Jurassic Coast

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Location: Portland, Weymouth And Portland, Dorset, South West England, England, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to Historic Loading Crane

4.8

(11)

hikers

1. Portland Bill Lighthouse – Portland Bill Lighthouse loop from Southwell

6.33km

01:42

80m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.4

(7)

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2. Portland Bill Lighthouse – Church Ope Cove loop from Southwell

9.91km

02:43

150m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.5

(2)

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3. Portland Bill Lighthouse – Red Crane, Portland Bill loop from Southwell

3.30km

00:51

20m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

Mike Cree

September 25, 2025

The most famous historic loading crane on the Isle of Portland is the Red Crane, located at the southernmost tip of the island near Portland Bill Lighthouse.

This crane is a well-known industrial relic that highlights Portland's long history with its famous Portland Stone.

Original Purpose (Stone Loading): The Red Crane is part of a disused stone-loading quay. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, this area was a working quarry. The original hand-operated wooden crane was used to hoist massive blocks of quarried Portland Stone from the cliff edge down to small sailing vessels waiting below for shipment off the island (often to London for famous buildings like St Paul's Cathedral).

Current Primary Use (Fishing): The original wooden crane was replaced with a more durable steel crane (which is still famously painted red, giving it its name). This modern steel crane remains in use today, not for stone, but to help local fishermen lower and raise their small crab and lobster boats from the water.

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Elevation 90 m

Weather

Today

Saturday 4 October

14°C

100 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 59.0 km/h

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Take Me There

Location: Portland, Weymouth And Portland, Dorset, South West England, England, United Kingdom

Historic Loading Crane

1. Portland Bill Lighthouse – Portland Bill Lighthouse loop from Southwell

2. Portland Bill Lighthouse – Church Ope Cove loop from Southwell

3. Portland Bill Lighthouse – Red Crane, Portland Bill loop from Southwell

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