Rufus Castle

Bow and Arrow aka Rufus Castle... Portland Dorset

This is seriously old, even the experts say they are unsure of it's age as it has been patched up so much over the years. I think it's serious 'antiquitech' as it is pentagonal in shape has 10 feet thick walls and a water/sluice system has been found beneath it. Those holes in the walls look a tad small to stick weapons out of.
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Music: 'Virtutes Vocis' by Kevin MacLeod

Lovely Church Ope Cove, Portland. Rufus Castle, St Andrew's Church, Pennsylvania Castle from the air

Birds' eye view of a beautiful and historic corner of the Isle of Portland, Dorset. The medieval Rufus Castle, the ruins of the ancient St Andrew's Church, and Pennsylvania Castle mansion built in 1800. Church Ope Cove.

Portland Bill, Rufus Castle, Church Ope Cove, in May 2018, Portland, Dorset. England. ( 6 )

The day I visited Portland Bill was on the 15th October 2017. Sadly it was not a very clear day and fairly dull. Hence I did not manage to get the sunny, spectacular views you can normally get from the very top of this Bill. I did, however, return on the 1st May and on the 24th May 2018. Portland is thought of as an island although this isn’t wholly correct in the true sense of the word as it’s reached over a causeway along, what is known as Chesil Beach. Just 4 miles long by a mile and a half wide at its broadest point, this plate of Jurassic limestone is tilted from north to south. This means that if you are on the elevated northern side of the island you are rewarded with stunning views across the Chesil, Portland Harbour & Weymouth.
Portland Bill is a narrow piece of land ( or bill ) at the southern end of the Isle of Portland, and the southernmost point of Dorset. One of Portland's most popular destinations, the popular attraction Portland Bill Lighthouse is found here. The surrounding coast of Portland, namely Portland Bill and Chesil Beach, have been notorious for the many vessels that became shipwrecked in the area over the centuries. The dangerous coastline, which features shallow reefs and the Shambles sandbank, was proven more hazardous due to the strong tidal race is known as the Portland Race. The Bill is still an important way point for coastal traffic, and three lighthouses have been built to protect shipping, in particular from its strong tidal race and shallow reef. The original two lighthouses guided vessels around the coast from 1716, until they were replaced in 1906 by the current lighthouse.
Overlooking Portland Harbour in Dorset stands one of Henry VIII’s finest coastal forts, built in the early 1540’s to protect against the French and Spanish invasion. Portland Castle was built as a consequence of international tensions between England, France and the Holy Roman Empire in the final years of the reign of King Henry VIII. Traditionally the Crown had left coastal defences to the local lords and communities, only taking a modest role in building and maintaining fortifications, and while France and the Empire remained in conflict with one another, maritime raids were common but an actual invasion of England seemed unlikely. Today it provides a great day out for visitors and its audio tour, included in the admission price, tells of the castle’s 450-year history and the part it played in the First and Second World Wars. Portland Castle offers lots to do for families and couples alike, and only four miles from Weymouth, this historic adventure can easily be combined with some more contemporary seaside fun.
Church Ope Cove is located on the Isle of Portland in Dorset. The beach consists of soft limestone pebbles ( although they do feel pretty hard to walk on ) and is surrounded by cliffs on three sides which provide shelter from the often strong breeze in the area. As the beach faces south, it is also something of a sun trap throughout the day. Here, it is first recorded in 789 AD the first Viking raid on the British Isles happened. This cove was believed to be the place they landed. The exposed location was later defended by a Norman 12th Century Rufus Castle, built on the cliff-top overlooking the beach. This remaining castle which can be seen today dates from the late 15th-century.
The cove's area was also used for the building of Portland's first parish church, St Andrews Church, which was probably first established above the cove by the Saxons. St Andrews churchyard, where the ruins stand right on the edge of the east cliffs, has long been the infamous Pirates Graveyard. Built in 1475 on the site of an earlier building, St Andrews was destroyed by fire during a raid. Its rather dubious reputation as a pirates graveyard is based entirely on the fact that some of the headstones and table tombs, both inside and outside the church, have skulls and crossbones carved on them.

Portland Bill Lighthouse and Rufus Castle - Drone flights over Portland Dorset

During a weekend in Dorset I took the opportunity to fly the drone around the light lighthouse at Portland Bill, and also up to Rufus Castle, a 15th century castle (or whats left of it) that overlooks the beach at Church Ope Cove.

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Meaning of the Word by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2016 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Ft: Mr Yesterday, Lawrence Lessig, ElRon XChile, Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon, Barrack Obama, Charles Rangel, oberonskye (ernestedge1), stellarartwars, Donnie Ozone, Jui_chuan

Every Beat of Her Heart by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Ft: ANTIQCOOL, ElRon XChile, Dave Merrick, Stefan Kartenberg, Rocavaco, Copperhead, DJ Snyder, CDK

Portland Bill, Rufus Castle, Church Ope Cove, in May 2018, Portland, Dorset. England. ( 7 )

The day I visited Portland Bill was on the 15th October 2017. Sadly it was not a very clear day and fairly dull. Hence I did not manage to get the sunny, spectacular views you can normally get from the very top of this Bill. I did, however, return on the 1st May and on the 24th May 2018. Portland is thought of as an island although this isn’t wholly correct in the true sense of the word as it’s reached over a causeway along, what is known as Chesil Beach. Just 4 miles long by a mile and a half wide at its broadest point, this plate of Jurassic limestone is tilted from north to south. This means that if you are on the elevated northern side of the island you are rewarded with stunning views across the Chesil, Portland Harbour & Weymouth.
Portland Bill is a narrow piece of land ( or bill ) at the southern end of the Isle of Portland, and the southernmost point of Dorset. One of Portland's most popular destinations, the popular attraction Portland Bill Lighthouse is found here. The surrounding coast of Portland, namely Portland Bill and Chesil Beach, have been notorious for the many vessels that became shipwrecked in the area over the centuries. The dangerous coastline, which features shallow reefs and the Shambles sandbank, was proven more hazardous due to the strong tidal race is known as the Portland Race. The Bill is still an important way point for coastal traffic, and three lighthouses have been built to protect shipping, in particular from its strong tidal race and shallow reef. The original two lighthouses guided vessels around the coast from 1716, until they were replaced in 1906 by the current lighthouse.
Overlooking Portland Harbour in Dorset stands one of Henry VIII’s finest coastal forts, built in the early 1540’s to protect against the French and Spanish invasion. Portland Castle was built as a consequence of international tensions between England, France and the Holy Roman Empire in the final years of the reign of King Henry VIII. Traditionally the Crown had left coastal defences to the local lords and communities, only taking a modest role in building and maintaining fortifications, and while France and the Empire remained in conflict with one another, maritime raids were common but an actual invasion of England seemed unlikely. Today it provides a great day out for visitors and its audio tour, included in the admission price, tells of the castle’s 450-year history and the part it played in the First and Second World Wars. Portland Castle offers lots to do for families and couples alike, and only four miles from Weymouth, this historic adventure can easily be combined with some more contemporary seaside fun.
Church Ope Cove is located on the Isle of Portland in Dorset. The beach consists of soft limestone pebbles ( although they do feel pretty hard to walk on ) and is surrounded by cliffs on three sides which provide shelter from the often strong breeze in the area. As the beach faces south, it is also something of a sun trap throughout the day. Here, it is first recorded in 789 AD the first Viking raid on the British Isles happened. This cove was believed to be the place they landed. The exposed location was later defended by a Norman 12th Century Rufus Castle, built on the cliff-top overlooking the beach. This remaining castle which can be seen today dates from the late 15th-century.
The cove's area was also used for the building of Portland's first parish church, St Andrews Church, which was probably first established above the cove by the Saxons. St Andrews churchyard, where the ruins stand right on the edge of the east cliffs, has long been the infamous Pirates Graveyard. Built in 1475 on the site of an earlier building, St Andrews was destroyed by fire during a raid. Its rather dubious reputation as a pirates graveyard is based entirely on the fact that some of the headstones and table tombs, both inside and outside the church, have skulls and crossbones carved on them.

Church Ope Cove Portland Dorset Uk ... a walkabout

Looking at my childhood stomping ground ???? A lot of this stuff looks as if it’s been underwater at some point. My sister gets excited about squirrels as she lives here and there are very few trees. ????????????

The ruins of St Andrew's Church, Portland & The Pirates Graveyard.

Take a walk around the ruined Church of St Andrew's on the Isle of Portland, Dorset above Church Ope Cove beach near Wakeham village, close to the ruins of Rufus Castle and visit the Pirates Graveyard.

Church ope and ruins

Portland UK. Church ope

east of portland dorset

a look along the east side of portland dorset set to crf music

VIDEO: THE LAST TRAIN TO PORTLAND: 1960S

Last train to Portland 1960s

The line to Portland closed to passengers in 1952 but a freight service continued until 1965. Just before final closure, a special passenger train was run to give passengers one last chance to experience a civilised way of travelling to the Isle. This film captured the moment...

© 2018 Windrose Rural Media Trust

Copyright exists on this film. It is made available for public viewing through an agreement between Windrose Rural Media Trust and the original owner. This copy is intended for private, domestic use and for educational purposes. For all other uses, including reproduction, please contact Windrose Rural Media Trust.

Windrose gratefully acknowledges the help of original film makers and film owners.

Weymouth and Portland

from Weymouth beach ( Greenhill ) to Cheyne Weares Portland
including Sandsfoot castle, Church Ope Cove and Rufus Castle

Church ope 13th century ruins. portland. dorset

Church ope. Portland

15th CENTURY CASTLE CLIMB

I did a bit of research into the castle after the climb and found out that it's named Rufus Castle, also known as Bow and Arrow Castle in Dorset. The castle dates from the late 15th century, possibly on the site of an earlier building (with origins dating from 1142) - making it Portland's oldest castle.

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Church Ope, Portland

Looking down on Church Ope Cove on the Isle of Portland, 2015

Portland Bill and Portland Castle, May 2018, Liberty road, Portland, Dorset. England. ( 1 )

The day I visited Portland Bill was on the 15th October 2017. Sadly it was not a very clear day and fairly dull. Hence I did not manage to get the sunny, spectacular views you can normally get from the very top of this Bill. I did, however, return on the 1st May and on the 24th May 2018. Portland is thought of as an island although this isn’t wholly correct in the true sense of the word as it’s reached over a causeway along, what is known as Chesil Beach. Just 4 miles long by a mile and a half wide at its broadest point, this plate of Jurassic limestone is tilted from north to south. This means that if you are on the elevated northern side of the island you are rewarded with stunning views across the Chesil, Portland Harbour & Weymouth.
Portland Bill is a narrow piece of land ( or bill ) at the southern end of the Isle of Portland, and the southernmost point of Dorset. One of Portland's most popular destinations, the popular attraction Portland Bill Lighthouse is found here. The surrounding coast of Portland, namely Portland Bill and Chesil Beach, have been notorious for the many vessels that became shipwrecked in the area over the centuries. The dangerous coastline, which features shallow reefs and the Shambles sandbank, was proven more hazardous due to the strong tidal race is known as the Portland Race. The Bill is still an important way point for coastal traffic, and three lighthouses have been built to protect shipping, in particular from its strong tidal race and shallow reef. The original two lighthouses guided vessels around the coast from 1716, until they were replaced in 1906 by the current lighthouse.
Overlooking Portland Harbour in Dorset stands one of Henry VIII’s finest coastal forts, built in the early 1540’s to protect against the French and Spanish invasion. Portland Castle was built as a consequence of international tensions between England, France and the Holy Roman Empire in the final years of the reign of King Henry VIII. Traditionally the Crown had left coastal defences to the local lords and communities, only taking a modest role in building and maintaining fortifications, and while France and the Empire remained in conflict with one another, maritime raids were common but an actual invasion of England seemed unlikely. Today it provides a great day out for visitors and its audio tour, included in the admission price, tells of the castle’s 450-year history and the part it played in the First and Second World Wars. Portland Castle offers lots to do for families and couples alike, and only four miles from Weymouth, this historic adventure can easily be combined with some more contemporary seaside fun.
Church Ope Cove is located on the Isle of Portland in Dorset. The beach consists of soft limestone pebbles ( although they do feel pretty hard to walk on ) and is surrounded by cliffs on three sides which provide shelter from the often strong breeze in the area. As the beach faces south, it is also something of a sun trap throughout the day. Here, it is first recorded in 789 AD the first Viking raid on the British Isles happened. This cove was believed to be the place they landed. The exposed location was later defended by a Norman 12th Century Rufus Castle, built on the cliff-top overlooking the beach. This remaining castle which can be seen today dates from the late 15th-century.
The cove's area was also used for the building of Portland's first parish church, St Andrews Church, which was probably first established above the cove by the Saxons. St Andrews churchyard, where the ruins stand right on the edge of the east cliffs, has long been the infamous Pirates Graveyard. Built in 1475 on the site of an earlier building, St Andrews was destroyed by fire during a raid. Its rather dubious reputation as a pirates graveyard is based entirely on the fact that some of the headstones and table tombs, both inside and outside the church, have skulls and crossbones carved on them.

Awesome Roads: Verne Hill Road, Isle of Portland, Dorset

The first video in a series of awesome roads, that are enjoyable to drive on. Verne Hill Road is the only other road than the A354 to climb up the rock. It is a steep single track road with tight corners and narrow bridges.

NB: This video contains no audio

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Portland Castle, Dorset

Portland Castle, Dorset, UK

Chesil Beach from the Isle of Portland

Part of the Dorset Jurassic Coast is the Isle of Portland which is its most southerly point. Portland is joined to the mainland by the A354 and a 'barrier beach' called Chesil Beach. It is home to the famous Portland Bill Lighthouse, Portland Stone, Portland Castle and one of the largest man made harbours in the world, Portland Harbour. It's also a rugged limestone island with an area of about 4 and a half miles by 1.75 miles and its mild climate provides a perfect environment for a huge range of flora and fauna including the rare Portland Sea-lavender only found on the Isle of Portland.

Chesil Beach is a natural shingle and pebble bank. Large chunky pebbles starting at Portland, smaller heading towards Chesil's other end at Bridport. Beyond this 18 mile long tombolo is the Fleet Lagoon which is a haven for wildlife and is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Many endangered and rare plants can be discovered on the shores of the Fleet and many birds can be seen too such as Oystercatchers, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Brent Geese and Little Terns. Chesil Beach is part of the Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Site.

View of portland dorset from a drone

View of portland dorset from a drone

church ope

an afternoon buggering around in the shallows of church ope cove