Portland Castle, Dorset

Portland Castle is a Device Fort built in 1539 by Henry VIII on the Isle of Portland to guard the natural Portland anchorage.

The castle was bolstered ready to repel the attempted invasion by the Spanish Armada in 1588. In the event the Royal Navy fended off the Spanish fleet in the Battle of Portland just east of the isle of Portland in July 1588.

Portland Castle experienced its only real action during the English Civil War 1642-1649. Being an historic Royal Manor, Portland was a Royalist stronghold. Nearby Weymouth - a merchant town - firmly backed Cromwell's Parliamentarians and a succession of battles saw Portland Castle captured and recaptured several times. Despite being hopelessly undermanned and inadequately armed, the Royalists managed to keep the island out of Cromwellian hands for all but two brief periods of the war. By 1645, after repeated attacks only Portland, Corfe and Sherborne remained in Royalist hands. Defeat finally came in 1646 when Portland surrendered.

On the restoration in 1660, Charles II rewarded Portland's loyalty in the Civil War by a special Royal Grant Fund, giving back to the Islanders royalties on stone taken from the crown quarries. The Grant is still made today.

The castle again stood by during action in the Anglo-Dutch war with the Battle of Portland, an bloody but indecisive three day sea battle close to the Island coast.
Portland castle was armed for the last time during the Napoleonic Wars.

The Captain's House Tearoom is open all day. Visitors are welcome to picnic in the grounds.

Opening Times

Open daily, April to October
10am to 4pm

Parts of the castle maybe unavailable for short periods during private events

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Ticket Prices

Adults: £4.30
Children: £2.60 (5-15 years)
Concessions: £3.90
Family Ticket: £11.20
EH Member: Free

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Disabled Facilities

Access to castle and Captain's House: Ground floor is level in the castle apart from steps to get to the gun room. Narrow doorways in Captain's House. Special audio tour and flip-book for those unable to access upper floors.
Shop has level access and there is an accessible toilet.

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More Information

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