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Photo: Mike Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Built by Henry VIII in the early 1540s, this castle has played a part in history ever since. This history is portrayed through exhibitions and the building itself.
Portland Castle is an artillery fort constructed by Henry VIII on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, between 1539 and 1541. It formed part of the King's Device programme to protect against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire, and defended the Portland Roads anchorage. The fan-shaped castle was built from Portland stone, with a curved central tower and a gun battery, flanked by two angular wings. Shortly after its construction it was armed with eleven artillery pieces, intended for use against enemy shipping, operating in partnership with its sister castle of Sandsfoot on the other side of the anchorage. During the English Civil War, Portland was taken by the Royalist supporters of King Charles I, and then survived two sieges before finally surrendering to Parliament in 1646.
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Leisure centre with a 25-m swimming pool, gym and cafe.
In the Osprey Quay development. This venue hosted the London 2012 Olympic sailing events. This venue hosts events throughout the year as well as sailing courses. Cost of courses varies.
Portland's own small theatre is in a former church that hosts the occasional production and can be hired as a venue.
Chesil Beach is a 17 mi long shingle beach spit connecting Portland to West Bay, contrary to popular belief Chesil Beach is not a tombolo, but a shoal beach. Part of the Jurassic Coast, a .
This beautiful quarry is full of sculptures that local people have created. It is set on the top of Portland with fantastic views of the Jurassic Coastline.