Name: Portland Castle
Rating: 5.0

Portland Castle

Liberty Road, Portland, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Portland Castle is one of Henry VIII’s coastal artillery forts, built to defend Portland Harbour. Its rounded seaward design was created to deflect incoming cannon shots, reflecting its strong military purpose. Today, it stands as a historic coastal fortress where visitors can explore over 450 years of history.

Inside the castle, you can visit the Tudor kitchen, armoury, gun decks and the open-air Gun Room with its five gun casemates. Families can dress up as Tudor soldiers or Royalist Gunners, play Shove Groats or Nine Men’s Morris, create heraldic glass designs, and follow the Folktale Creature Trails. Visitors can also enjoy the free audio tour, explore the Governor’s Garden with sea views, learn about Portland at War, and relax at the Captain’s House Tearoom. The site also includes a gift shop, picnic areas, gardens with an amphitheatre, and dog-friendly grounds.

Online ticket prices range from £4.25 to £9.35 for individual tickets, with family tickets ranging from £12.75 to £23.37. On the day tickets range from £5.00 to £11.00 for individuals, with family tickets ranging from £15.00 to £27.50, depending on category and donation option.

Overall, Portland Castle offers an engaging mix of history, interactive exhibits and scenic coastal views. With hands-on family activities, historic displays and a welcoming tearoom, it provides an enjoyable day out for visitors of all ages. It is a fascinating destination to explore Tudor defence history by the sea.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Family Playtime: Become a Tudor soldier or Royalist Gunner when you try on the outfits and armour in the Armoury. Or challenge the family to a game of Shove Groats or Nine Men's Morris to experience evening entertainment Tudor style. You can also make your own heraldic glass design using the replica pieces based on those discovered in the Captain's Chamber. Great family fun for all.
Explore the Tudor kitchen: Visit the kitchen at Portland Castle with its displays of food to learn about how staff would have prepared and cooked food for the troops based at the castle. Find out how they stored the produce to keep it fresh and see the large fireplace where the meals would have been cooked. Handle the replica kitchen utensils and lift up the lids of the storage vessels on show.
Enjoy the Views: Step outside to the upper gun platform and walk along the wall walk to enjoy far-reaching views out to sea. You can see the 19th-century breakwater, which offers shelter to small craft as well as the fortifications protecting the harbour. Out to sea are two concrete Pheonix Cassions dating from the D-Day preparations of 1944.
The Gun Room: Now open to the sky but once covered with a roof to provide an additional upper gun platform, the Gun Room at Portland Castle still houses five guns casemates. Guns were fired through ports. Can you see the one with a shutter to close when not in use? Today you can learn about a mix of guns in the gun room. There’s also the remains of a fireplace used by the garrison.
Meet the Governor: As well as housing military troops throughout the centuries, the castle has been home to a number of well-known Governors including Sir Walter Raleigh. Find out how this explorer came to reside at the castle in the Captain's Chamber. Look for the 16th-century inscription which was found at Portland Castle.
Discover magical creatures: Looking for an adventure with your little ones? Uncover English folklore with our Folktale Creature Trails, where children can discover magical creatures from English myths and legends. Meet six unique creatures as you explore the site, and earn a special certificate marking your achievement when you complete the trail. There are some captivating audio stories to enjoy when you get home too.
Portland at War: A Royalist stronghold during the Civil War, the castle was captured and held siege by Parliamentarian forces in 1643. A Garrison remained at the castle for many years after this and later it served as an ordnance store for seaplanes on anti-submarine patrols in the First World War. During WWII, it was used as a training base for combined operations including exercises for the D-Day landings. Find out more in the guide book.
Garden: Portland Castle near Weymouth, and its sheltered Governor's Garden overlooking the sea, was once part of a series of 16th century defensive buildings called Device Forts, which ran from Kent to Cornwall. Plans show that there's been a garden here on and off for almost 300 years, part of a long tradition of governors and captains of military forts establishing gardens for themselves in the places they commanded.

Facilities

Parking: Free for English Heritage members displaying a valid car sticker. Non-members must pay.
Food & Drinks: The Captain's Tearoom is open. Visit to enjoy a selection of light lunches including freshly made sandwiches, soups and refreshing drinks. Indulge in a choice of lovely cakes or cream tea with home-made scones, fruity jam and delicious clotted cream.
Picnic Area: You are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the grounds. Picnic benches are situated between the site entrance and the Captain's House, and there is a grass lawn next to the castle that offers excellent views of the grounds.
Shop: The gift shop sells a wide range of English Heritage souvenirs and gifts, including books, confectionery, magnets, postcards and Tudor and Royal themed items. The gift shop is located inside the Captain's House, and is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
Toilets: There are separate male, female and disabled toilets, including baby-changing facilities.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome in the grounds of Portland Castle, including the castle, the beach, the shop and the lower section of the tea room. Please note that dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times.
Gardens: The Governor's Garden contains an impressive circular amphitheatre made from local Portland stone, with two level seating for about 200 people. This perfectly sheltered spot is a great place to enjoy the dramatic sea and harbour views.
Audio Tours: The free audio tour tells of the castle’s 450 year history and the part it played in the First and Second World Wars (40 minute duration).

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Online Tickets (With donation / Without donation)

Adult: £9.35 / £8.50
Child (5–17 years): £4.67 / £4.25
Concession: £8.50 / £7.65
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £23.37 / £21.25
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £14.02 / £12.75

On the Day Tickets (With donation / Without donation)

Adult: £11.00 / £10.00
Child (5–17 years): £5.50 / £5.00
Concession: £10.00 / £9.00
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £27.50 / £25.00
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £16.50 / £15.00

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/portland-castle/prices-and-opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Visit the website for timing information.

Address: Liberty Road, Portland, UK

Post Code: DT5 1AZ

Council: Dorset

County: Dorset

By Car: Free for English Heritage members displaying a valid car sticker. Non-members must pay.
By Bus: First summer service 501 serves the castle direct. At other times South West Coaches service 206 & First service 1 pass close by.
By Train: Weymouth Station is 4 ½ miles from Portland Castle.