Portland Castle


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Portland
Dorset
DT5 1AZ

Tel: +44 (0)1305 820 539
Fax: 01305 860853
Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Web: Attraction's Own Web Site

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Discover one of Henry VIII's finest coastal fortresses - Portland Castle. Perfectly preserved in a waterfront location overlooking Portland harbour, it is a marvellous place to visit for all the family whatever the weather. You can try on armour, explore the Tudor kitchen and gun platform and see ghostly sculpted figures from the past. An excellent audio tour, included in the admission price, brings the castle's history and characters to life. Features include the Captains House (tea-room) and Governor's Garden for visitors to relax in enjoying the harbour views.

The history of the Castle stretches back 450 years to its origins as a Tudor stronghold built to defend Britain against French and Spanish invasion. Its later history includes Civil War sieges and use by Oliver Cromwell as a jail for his enemies. In Victorian times it became a private residence for one of the great citizens of Portland, Captain Charles Manning, builder of the great Portland breakwater, which turned the bay between Weymouth and the Isle of Portland into the largest man-made harbour in the world. During the First World War it was a Seaplane Station and during the Second World War was at the forefront of the massive preparations to recapture northern Europe culminating in D-Day.

General Information:

  • Car park, including disabled bays
  • Tearoom
  • Shop
  • Audio tour
  • Toilets including disabled
  • Level access to grounds and ground floor of buildings
    •
    Opening Times
    (2011 times)
    1st -30th September:
    Daily 10.00 - 17.00

    1st - 31st October:
    Daily 10.00 - 16.00

    1st October - 31st March 2012:
    Closed

    Admission Charges
    (2011 prices)
    Adult £4.30.
    Concession £3.90.
    Child (5-15yrs) £2.60. Child under 5yrs Free.
    Family ticket £11.20
    U5s free

    English Heritage Members Free.

    Directions
    By Car:
    In Castletown, Isle of Dorset. Signposted from A354.

    By Train:
    Weymouth Station 4½.

    By Boat:
    From Weymouth Quay, telephone Castle for details.
    Show map of Portland Castle...

    Portland Castle Postcode for SatNav: DT5 1AZ

    Nearby Attractions
    Portland Museum (2 Miles)*
    The Museum was founded in 1930 by Dr Marie Stopes, the Museum's first curator and famous birth control pioneer. It is housed in two thatched picturesque cottages, nestling above Church Ope Cove.
    Weymouth Sea Life Park (3 Miles)*
    Experience an up close and personal look into the lifecycle of our Sharks. Observe how they develop from eggs into babies, then juveniles into adults.
    Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens (6 Miles)*
    The Garden is now a mixture of formal and informal, with charming walled garden walks and spectacular woodland valley views.
    more nearby attractions...
    more things to do in Dorset and days out in Dorset...
    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Nearby Hotels
    Heights Hotel & Leisure Centre (1 Mile)*
    Set on the summit of Portland near Weymouth, amidst the newly awarded World Heritage Jurassic Coast, this hotel has stunning views over Chesil Beach and Weymouth 2012 Olympic Sailing venue.
    Russell Hotel (3 Miles)*
    Positioned on the historic Victorian esplanade, with wonderful, uninterrupted views of Weymouth Bay, this hotel offers comfortable accommodation in a prime location.
    Hotel Prince Regent (3 Miles)*
    With glorious views across the sparkling bay to the craggy Dorset coastline, this Georgian hotel centres itself on traditional hospitality. Choose from a choice of comfortable rooms, most with superb sea views.
    more hotels near Portland Castle ...
    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Nearby Self Catering
    Rosa Cottage (1 Mile)*
    A charming Victorian cottage, beautifully renovated and furnished to a very high standard in the popular area of Fortuneswell, Portland. The famous Chesil beach, part of the World Heritage Coast, is 5 minutes walk away
    Rupert Cottage (2 Miles)*
    Rupert is very conveniently located only 200 yards from the Old Harbour in Weymouth and offers spacious accommodation for a relaxing self catering holiday. The beach and shopping centre are also only 5-10 minutes walk away.
    Little Owl Cottage (3 Miles)*
    Lovely two bedroom quarryman's cottage, situated in the village of Southwell on the Isle of Portland, less than one mile to famous Portland Bill. Approx 5 miles to Weymouth.
    Your property could be here
    Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day.
    more self catering near Portland Castle ...
    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

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