Chiswell

Chiswell
Chiswell is located in Dorset
Chiswell
Chiswell
Location within Dorset
OS grid referenceSY689732
Civil parish
Unitary authority
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townDorchester
Postcode districtDT5
Dialling code01305
PoliceDorset
FireDorset and Wiltshire
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament
  • South Dorset
List of places
UK
England
Dorset
50°33′43″N 2°26′55″W / 50.5620°N 2.4487°W / 50.5620; -2.4487
Chiswell from Tophill.

Chiswell /ˈɪzəl/, sometimes /ˈɪzwɛl/, is a small village at the southern end of Chesil Beach, in Underhill, on the Isle of Portland in Dorset. It is the oldest settlement on the island, having formerly been known as Chesilton.[1][2] The small bay at Chiswell is called Chesil Cove, and the beach promenade and sea wall which form Chiswell's coastal defences are a prominent feature.

The village occupies much of the flat land close to sea level adjacent to the beach, and is distinguished from the adjoining village of Fortuneswell which occupies the steeper hills and streets above.[2] At the northern entrance to the village is the 19th-century development of Victoria Square, which forms a roundabout on the main A354 road onto the island.

As with the other villages and settlements on Portland, Chiswell was designated as a conservation area as part of Underhill in 1976, as it is a place of special architectural and historic interest.[2]

  1. ^ "Chiswell Community Trust - History". Archived from the original on 13 August 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Weymouth and Portland Borough Council (2017). "Appraisal of the Conservation Areas of Portland as amended 2017" (PDF). Dorsetcouncil.gov.uk. Dorset Council. Retrieved 18 August 2020.