Portland Castle

Situated on the Dorset Coast overlooking Weymouth, Portland Castle dates back to the 1540s. It was once home to the WRENs during World War II and was a major staging post for the US Troops during the D-Day Landings.

One of King Henry VIII ’s finest coastal fortresses, Portland Castle was built in the early 1540s, alongside with Sandsfoot castle on the opposite cliffs, to counter the threat of invasion by Spain and France. Portland Castle is typical of Tudor forts with squat thick walls and artillery positions designed to withstand canon fire and defend the harbour from enemy ships and invasion forces.

The castle was constructed in a segment of a circle, with a two level circular tower at its centre and square wings radiating from each of the sides. The gun batteries could be placed on two levels in the curved front towards the sea.

Despite being in constant use up until the Second World War, Portland Castle has been altered very little from its original design.

The castle saw its first serious action during the Civil War when it was seized by both Cromwell’s and Charles I ’s armies. During World War One, Portland Castle was a Seaplane Station and during World War Two, the castle housed the WRENs and was one of the embarkation points for American GIs during the D-Day Landings.

Today Portland Castle offers visitors a fascinating audio tour and you can even meet King Henry VIII in the castle’s Great Hall. The Governor’s Gardens have been recently landscaped and contain a circular amphitheatre for outdoor stage productions amid fantastic views overlooking dramatic sea and harbour views.