Castletown, Portland

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The above image is copyright Dorset County Council 2000 and is reproduced here with permission

The red enclosed area includes the heart of Castletown; an old fishing community which became in early Victorian times, the central collection point for much of the stone taken off Portland.

In addition, Castletown was the gateway to the huge Naval Dockyard with all the essential civilian trappings - pubs, cafes, a naval outfitters, more pubs, hotels - and, oh yes! More pubs! Today the stone trade and the Royal Navy have departed but many of the businesses have diversified into supporting divers.

It was forecast that the departure of the Royal Navy would bring disaster and ruin to Castletown. however, apart from a few casualties (such as the Greasy Spoon cafe) the area is more prosperous than ever.

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CASTLETOWN

There are many old pictures of Castletown here

One of the few casualties of the loss of the Royal Navy in the 1990s - the old Greasy Spoon Cafe is boarded up.

Most other businesses have adapted, gone up-market to meet the needs of the many divers coming into this area - and are thriving.

The post office seen here was robbed in an horrific attack in November 2003.

For a picture taken about a century ago please click here.

Castletown was once a favourite spot for Portland fishermen to sail from into Portland harbour.

It became dominated by Royal naval activities and most of the beach was commandeered in Victorian times.

This small area is all that is left.

This road was once the route for stone to travel on trucks to the loading jetty in the far distance.

The building in the centre of this pictures was once the Salvation Army Sailors' Home.

For a picture taken about a century ago of this area from exactly the same location please click here.

This view along Castletown is looking west towards the Boscawen sports centre.

For a wonderful picture taken about a century ago of this establishment please click here.

This car-park was once the site of 'The Nelson Toilet Saloon'.

For a wonderful picture taken about a century ago of this establishment please click here.

A view of a large ship using Portland Port's facilities in 2002.

The children are crab-hunting on the little-known small beach at the foot of Portland Castle which is just off the picture at right.

MULBERRY HARBOUR UNITS

Please click here for more information on Mulberry Harbour.

In Portland Harbour near Portland Castle are two sections of World War 2 Mulberry Harbour units.

There were originally several more at this spot and were abandoned here after use in the Normandy Landings.

More details will added soon about these interesting floating concrete constructions.

MERCHANTS' RAILWAY

Please click here for old pictures of the Merchants' Railway in use.

The disused Merchants' Railway ran from close to the highest point on Portland all the way down to Castletown.

The disused Merchants' Railway inclined track runs from the top of Verne Common Road down to Castletown where, in Victorian times, the wagons were unloaded and the stone stored awaiting transport by ship to many places around the world.

This picture shows some of the stone 'sleepers' still in place above Castletown. The indentations where the rails were seated are visible as well as the holes and iron pegs used to hold the rails secure.

A gauge of 4 ft 6 in was used - different from every other railway - but Portland's railway was operating in August 1826 before the first steam railway ran anywhere in the world.

Above, the view up the Merchant's railway in 1989 after a commendable effort had been made to tidy the Castletown end.

At right we see the same view in 2002 after thirteen years of neglect.

It is difficult to imagine that this track was once a wide bustling inclined railway with trucks loaded with stone block arriving frequently all day.

At the base the trucks loaded with stone were quickly pulled away to be winched onto waiting ships.

Please click here and here for a view up the railway from this point when it was active.

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