Portland Castle

The history of this fortress overlooking Portland harbour is fascinating and diverse. Enjoy some stunning sea views from the historic gun platforms and get up close to the powerful cannons!

Take a stroll in their Contemporary Heritage Gardens before relaxing with refreshments in the Captain's Tearoom. There's also a Discovery Pack available to help kids fully explore the Herb Garden and Tudor kitchen plus a dress up box with period guards' garb to try on!

Built by Henry VIII to defend the anchorage against potential French or Spanish invasion, the fortress's squat appearance is typical of the artillery designs of the 1540s. Unusually for a fortress of this period however, the castle has seen much interior alteration, though the exterior remains largely unchanged - an interesting comparative experience for those of school age who are starting to know their historical stuff.

It first witnessed serious fighting during the Civil War, when it was seized by both Parliamentarians and Royalists, so there are some interesting stories associated with the place which you can get to fully appreciate using their audio tour, which actually covers everything from the Tudors to the Second World War!

Plus, the whole thing is only 4 miles from Weymouth so there are beaches and loads of other fun things to visit within a relative stone's throw of you. Why not hit the listings and expand your family day out even further?