Guidebook: Portland Castle

Portland Castle was built by Henry VIII in 1539–40 as a coastal artillery fort. It was one of a number of such fortifications – the ‘device forts’ – built in response to the threat of invasion posed by the Catholic alliance following Henry’s break with Rome. The castle and its garrison protected the vital anchorage of Portland Roads against capture by the enemy. Though sporadically neglected, the castle remained armed and active until the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815. After that is was adapted as a polite marine residence for the Reverend John Manning and his family, its garden landscaped and its interiors fashionably renovated. It subsequently became the home of a series of senior Army officers. During both World Wars it provided offices and accommodation for various serving units, and part of it remained in naval use until 1999. Today, the castle is open to the public for all to enjoy. Published: July 2022 ISBN: 978 1 910907 64 1 220 x 190 mm 40 pages