Portland Castle

Group visits to Portland Castle

From its waterside setting overlooking the harbour, this unusually shaped artillery fort was fiercly fought over by Civil War Royalists and Parliamentarians. Then it helped to defend shipping against pirates and tried in vain to control local smugglers. Called back into service in the First World War, it became a seaplane station, then a Second World War anti-submarine base. In 1944 British and American forces carried out top secret training for the D-Day landings in the bays nearby.

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Group Discount

We offer a 15% discount (10% for Stonehenge) for travel trade and organised groups of 11 or more paying visitors when payment is made in a single transaction.
Per group you also receive:

  • free entry for one tour leader
  • free entry for one coach driver

The tour leader, coach driver and any English Heritage members do not count towards the group totals.

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Booking information

Trade admission prices and opening times:

Please refer to our Trade Admission Prices & Site Opening Times brochure for pricing and opening times information at our top sites for groups. 

Making a booking:

Contact information for making your group booking can be found in the Visit & Contact Information section below.

Please include the property name and date of visit in the subject line of your email along with the following information:

  • Group name
  • Name of property
  • Tour reference/booking reference (if applicable)
  • Date and time of arrival
  • Number of visitors

Payment method:

Payment can be made on arrival by: cash, credit/debit card, Agency Voucher Scheme (AVS).

Visit & Contact information

  • Coach parking: Parking for one coach, 50 metres from the entrance. 
  • Catering: Captain's Tearoom seats 28. Light snacks, sandwiches and refreshments. Groups should call to pre-book.
  • Audio tour: The free audio tour tells of the castle’s 450 year history and the part it played in the First and Second World Wars (40 minute duration).
  • Access: There is disabled access to the Captain's House, ground floor of the castle, gift shop and the Governor's Garden. There is no access to first floor or the outer gun deck.
  • Average length of visit: 2.5 hours.

Address: Castletown, Portland, Dorset DT5 1AZ

Email: portland.castle@english-heritage.org.uk

Telephone: Portland Castle: 01305 820539

Guided tours

Make your group visit extra special by adding a guided tour.

Guided tours must be booked in advance and are always subject to availability.

Introduction to Portland Castle

This short talk includes a brief historical overview of the castle and highlights particular points of interest, so that you can make the most of your visit.

  • Duration: up to 20 minutes.
  • Minimum-maximum pax: 11 - 30 pax.
  • Advance booking required: Yes, a minimum of 14 days notice is required.
  • Price: no additional fee.

Castle and grounds tour

A guided walk around Portland Castle and its Contemporary Heritage Garden with a member of our Visitor Operations Staff, who know the site like the back of their hand.

  • Duration: 40 minutes.
  • Minimum-maximum pax: 11 - 30 pax.
  • Advance booking required: Yes, a minimum of 14 days notice is required.
  • Price: Price available on enquiry.

Spooky tour of the Castle

Let our experienced site staff guide you around one of Henry VIII’s finest coastal forts and its eventful past with a special focus on the strange and ghostly. During its 450 year history, it’s been used as a stronghold to fight off French Spanish invasion, in the Civil War, as a First World War seaplane station and played an important part in the Second World War. Get spooked by stories of real life experiences of our visitors and staff, as well as local tales passed down through the centuries. Will you smell the lavender lady, hear the mysterious footsteps or see the khaki uniformed man?

  • Duration: 40 minutes.
  • Minimum-maximum pax: 11 - 30 pax.
  • Advance booking required: Yes, a minimum of 14 days notice is required.
  • Price: Price available on enquiry.

Group Travel Support

Further support and useful resources available to group travel organisers can be found on our dedicated Group Visits webpages.

For educational groups, please visit our School Visits webpages.

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