Portland Castle, Isle of Portland

Name: Portland Castle
Address: Portland Castle Liberty Road, Isle of Portland, DT5 1AZ, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 1305 820539

#3 among attractions in Isle of Portland

Top attraction, Forts and castles, Museum, Military museum, More...

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Facts and practical information

Portland Castle is an artillery fort constructed by Henry VIII on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, between 1539 and 1541. It formed part of the King's Device programme to protect against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire, and defended the Portland Roads anchorage. The fan-shaped castle was built from Portland stone, with a curved central tower and a gun battery, flanked by two angular wings. Shortly after its construction it was armed with eleven artillery pieces, intended for use against enemy shipping, operating in partnership with its sister castle of Sandsfoot on the other side of the anchorage. During the English Civil War, Portland was taken by the Royalist supporters of King Charles I, and then survived two sieges before finally surrendering to Parliament in 1646. ()

Alternative names: Built: 1539 (485 years ago)Coordinates: 50°34'6"N, 2°26'48"W

Address

Portland Castle Liberty RoadIsle of Portland DT5 1AZ United Kingdom

Contact

+44 1305 820539

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Isle of Portland

Day trips

Portland Castle – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Portland Cenotaph, Tout Quarry, The Cove House Inn.

0.4 miW
Sailing, Boat tours, Tours
Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Isle of Portland
11 min walk • Nestled on the rugged coastline of the Isle of Portland in the United Kingdom, the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy is a premier event venue that has made a name for itself in the world of competitive sailing.
0.9 miS
Memorial
Portland Cenotaph, Isle of Portland
23 min walk • The Portland Cenotaph is a war memorial located on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It is situated at New Ground, looking down to Underhill of the island and overlooking Chesil Beach, as it stands in front of Portland Heights Hotel.
1.1 miS
Park, Nature and wildlife
Tout Quarry, Isle of Portland
29 min walk • Tout Quarry, now known as Tout Quarry Sculpture Park and Nature Reserve, is a sculpture park and nature reserve based within a disused quarry on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It is located within the north-west corner of Tophill.
0.5 miS
Nightlife
The Cove House Inn, Fortuneswell
14 min walk • The Cove House Inn is an 18th-century public house on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It is situated within the village of Chiswell, and alongside Chesil Beach on the esplanade. The Cove House Inn remains one of Portland's most popular pubs, and has been reputed to be one of the best inns for panoramic views in the area.
0.8 miS
Monuments and statues
Chiswell Earthworks, Isle of Portland
20 min walk • Chiswell Earthworks is a land sculpture, located on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It is found above Chesil Beach's most southerly part Chesil Cove, at the end of the promenade sea wall, towards West Weares. It was created by John Maine RA, between 1986 and 1993.
0.5 miSE
Cemetery
Royal Navy Cemetery, Isle of Portland
13 min walk • Royal Naval Cemetery is a cemetery on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. The site overlooks Portland Harbour, and is found below the main entrance to the Verne Citadel.
0.6 miS
Church
United Reformed Church, Isle of Portland
15 min walk • The United Reformed Church is a former United Reformed Church in Chiswell, on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It was founded in 1825 and closed in 2009.
0.4 miS
Park
Victoria Gardens, Isle of Portland
10 min walk • Victoria Gardens is a public garden, located at Underhill, Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It is found close to Fortuneswell village and overlooks both Victoria Square and Chiswell.
0.7 miSE
Church
Underhill Methodist Church, Isle of Portland
18 min walk • Underhill Methodist Church is a Methodist Church, opened in 1899, located in Fortuneswell, on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. It was built between 1898–1899, replacing a 1793 chapel built by Robert Carr Brackenbury, the founder of Methodism on Portland.
0.9 miSE
Forts and castles, Historical place
Verne High Angle Battery, Isle of Portland
24 min walk • The Verne High Angle Battery is a former 19th-century gun battery on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. Situated close to the Verne Citadel, the battery is Grade II Listed, and forms part of the citadel's scheduled monument status.
0.4 miS
Area
Chiswell, Fortuneswell
12 min walk • Chiswell, sometimes, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Portland Castle open?

Portland Castle is open:

Monday 10 am - 6 pm
Tuesday 10 am - 6 pm
Wednesday 10 am - 6 pm
Thursday 10 am - 6 pm
Friday 10 am - 6 pm
Saturday 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday 10 am - 6 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Portland Castle?

Nearby attractions include Castletown D-Day Centre, Isle of Portland (4 min walk), Weymouth and Portland (9 min walk), Victoria Gardens, Isle of Portland (10 min walk), Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Isle of Portland (11 min walk).