ART DECO HEAVEN AT PORTLAND HOUSE

Having lived in and around Weymouth for over 30 years discovering on my doorstep an Art Deco gem has been a revelation for me.

Unearthing the clue about the existence of this National Trust property for myself was by pure chance. Spotting an open day poster a week or so before about it attached to a nearby post.

One of the many bedrooms at Portland House

Perhaps not quite in the manner of un-ravelling an Agatha Christie plot but being unaware of it for so long was a real mystery for me.

This particular home was not designed in the conventional clean lines and angular form that was popular then, but in what was called Hollywood, Spanish style.

Art Deco lounge and furniture at the house owned by The National Trust.

Built as a holiday and party home for Geoffrey Henry Bushby in 1935, which in the end he never got the chance to enjoy it as he died before it was completed.

ART DECO DELIGHT OF PORTLAND HOUSE

My chance to explore it was because at several times each year the trust opens the house up for visitors and trust members.

The kitchen at Portland House.

Perfectly located on a low cliff over-looking part of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast and sailing haven of Portland Harbour.

The sub tropical garden around Portland House the Art Deco house owned by The National Trust.

The tall and slender palms that now surround the house give it very much Mediterranean feel. Dual terraces set one above the other allow its guests perfect places for relaxing and sunbathing and no doubt in its time a fabulous sheltered sun trap party pad area too!

Crittal style windows with views over Portland Harbour.

Today Portland House is part of the National Trust’s holiday home rental portfolio. With accomdation for up to 12 guests and parking for 6 cars.

Typical wooden flooring of the Art Deco period.

Its recently refurbished interior is complete and furnished throughout in that Art Deco style allowing visitors to immerse themselves fully in the period synonymous with the writings of Agatha Christie.

Furnished throughout in the Art Deco period.

Indeed, a perfect location for a mystery of her making. With numerous rooms set on two floors, with twin stair cases could be where the perpetrator and victim could come together in another murder plot for Hercule Poirot story.  Where he could solve the mystery as he explores it’s many rooms looking for clues as to whom, was where and when?

A charming blue bathroom from the Art Deco.

The recent improvements mean that the electrics and plumbing have been brought up to 21st century standards.

A NATIONAL TRUST HOLIDAY HOME TOO

However, you can still bathe in the cavernous luxury of some period blue and pink bathrooms.  That make up some of the 1930’s bathing facilities still in use at the property.

Hollywood Spanish influence detail around the building.

Period kitchen fittings work well to continue the styling of the home. But also keeping a contemporary eye on the needs of family or a group’s catering requirements of today.

Portland Harbour which was the site of the London 2012 Olympic’s sailing venue.

Tucked away from the busy beach and pretty fishing harbour area of Weymouth.  The holiday home is in easy walking distance of both.  Alternatively the home could be used as a base to tour and visit the delights of South and West Dorset.

Plenty of rooms for guests at Portland House.

The towns of Bridport and Lyme Regis are close by as are Portland, Dorchester.  And where the trail to discover another author, Thomas Hardy.  Who’s writings encompass much of the county. Plus the coastal beauty spots of Chesil Beach, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door on the Jurassic Coast whom the latter two can be seen from the house.

Bathe in Art Deco at the National Trust’s Portland House.

Portland House where you can relax on the sun-drenched terraces and also just bathe in pure Art Deco splendour.  In a family home built for holidays and yet is still available today as a holiday home too.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/