This is one of the best preserved of all King Henry VIII's mighty fortresses, built by the monarch to guard the south coast against invasion from the French and the Spanish.
The castle was built around 1540, of white Portland stone, it stands in a superb position overlooking Portland and Weymouth Harbour. It was further extended in the 17th-century, and again in the 18th-century when it was the home of Captain Charles Manning, builder of the Portland breakwater.
Portland castle has had a somewhat strange history, it was never used as intended and only saw action during the English Civil War when it frequently changed hands between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians.
In the year 1870 the Government of the day took over the castle, and it was later used during World War I as a Seaplane base, and again in World War II, when it was used for part of the D Day Operations.
Visitors to Portland will find the castle sitting serenely within the Royal Naval Dockyard.
a Seaside Town in the county of Dorset
(1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction NW)As it juts into the sea Portland is bounded by some of the finest coastal scenery in the land...
a Seaside Town in the county of Dorset
(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction N)It was King George III who first put Weymouth on the map as a popular tourist destination after making it his summer holiday residence between 1789 and 1805, where he would bath.....
a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset
(5.8 miles, 9.4 km, direction N)The pretty village of Osmington is situated along the Jurassic coast just 4 miles North-East of the historic resort of Weymouth. It has narrow streets and pretty thatched.....
in the county of Dorset
(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction NW)..
in the county of Dorset
(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction NE)One of the most visited geological areas of Britain, Lulworth Cove has recently been placed into the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline...
All towns in Dorset
Nothe Fort lies to the east of Weymouth. This spectacular "D" shaped building is preserved as one of the finest pieces of.....
One of the most recognisable landmarks in Dorset, the red and white Portland Bill Lighthouse has guided ships since it first.....
A unique mix of indoor and outdoor attractions set in seven acres makes Sea Life a great family day out. The Park offers a day.....
One of the most remarkable features of England's fantastic coastal scenery is the magnificent stretch known as Chesil Beach,.....
On a coast of fabulous high white cliffs there are few views to rival the spectacular Durdle Door. This natural phenomena,.....
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