Rufus Castle was reportedly built for William II, although the structure seen standing in ruins today is not of that date. In 1142, Robert, Earl of Gloucester, had captured the castle from King Stephen on behalf of Empress Maud. It had additional fortifications added in 1238 by Richard de Clare who owned it at that time. Around 1256, Aylmer de Lusignan obtained a licence to crenellate the 'insulam de Portand' and Robert, Earl of Gloucester, was granted a similar licence just 14 months later. It is generally presumed that Rufus castle is the site of any work that may have resulted from these licences and any remains that may date from the period exist only at foundation level, or have been lost to cliff erosion.
There is no public access to the Castle as it is privately owned by Gerry Hinde who was born and raised in Portland.

s〰️en

June 29, 2025

A visit to Rufus Castle in Portland is definitely worth it. It's a beautiful historic ruin with great views. The castle offers insight into the area's history and is perfect for walks and photos. Its clifftop location provides an impressive backdrop and great views of the sea. It's a lovely place to enjoy nature and learn more about Portland's history.

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 40 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 5 November

16°C

15°C

20 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 41.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Portland, Weymouth And Portland, Dorset, South West England, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Church Ope Cove

The Rodwell Trail

Cave Hole

View of Eweleaze Beach

View of Church Ope Cove

Portland Coastal Path

Olympic Rings Sculpture Viewpoint (Weymouth & Chesil Beach)

Fortuneswell and View of Chesil Beach

The Cuttings Bouldering Field

Chesil Beach

View of the Jurassic Coast from the South West Coast Path

Rufus Castle

1. West Cliff, Jurassic Coast – Church Ope Cove loop from Southwell

2. West Cliff, Jurassic Coast – Tout Quarry Sculpture Park loop from Portland

3. Enchanted Stone Archway – Verne High Angle Battery loop from Fortuneswell

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️