Portland Castle

En un regard

Le château en bref

Set at the water's edge at Castletown, on the northern shore of the Isle of Portland, Portland Castle is one of the best-preserved artillery forts from the time of Henry VIII. It was built in 1539-1541, when the alliance between France and the Empire raised fears of an invasion, to cross its fire with that of Sandsfoot Castle and deny access to Portland Roads, a much-prized deep-water anchorage. Unlike the circular forts of Deal or Walmer, it faces only the sea: its main battery forms an arc of a circle turned towards the roadstead, backed by a chevron-shaped accommodation block whose roof terrace carried a third tier of guns. Built of Portland stone for nearly 5,000 pounds, it has kept most of its original arrangements. Its history is eventful: taken and retaken during the Civil War, it withstood a four-month siege in 1644 before surrendering in 1646. A private residence in the 19th century, it became military again, served as a seaplane base in 1916-1919 and then the Royal Navy until 1980. Managed by English Heritage, it is open to the public with a Tudor kitchen, gun decks, an armoury, a tea room and a contemporary garden with views over the harbour.