Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
Pinpoint
Liberty Rd, Castletown, Portland DT5 1AZ
Telephone 01305 820539
Website www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/portland-castle
Possible Opening hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
One of Henry VIII's Device Forts, built to defend Portland Harbour and completed in the mid-16th century — it shares its squat, practical design with the other coastal defences he commissioned along this stretch of coast. English Heritage runs it fully staffed, with a decent cafe and an audio guide included.
Worth the trip
The well-preserved gun positions and views across the harbour — reviewers particularly rate the audio guide for making sense of them.
Before you go
There are a fair number of steps, so it's not the easiest for visitors with mobility issues; kids reportedly love the cannon displays and dressing-up area, and English Heritage members eat free in the cafe.
Visitors consistently enjoy the well-preserved Tudor interiors — the recreated kitchen, armoury and gun deck — plus a praised audio guide and a popular cafe. One reviewer noted the site has a fair number of steps and isn't very accessible for disabled visitors, and another mentioned a slightly frustrating interaction with staff over a children's quiz, but overall sentiment is strongly positive.
“Interesting visit. Lots to see and a good audio guide. Nice cream tea to finish.”— Kaye Jones-Mahoney, visitor review
