Rufus Castle

 castle, ruins, Medieval / Middle Ages, scheduled ancient monument

The first Norman structure to be built on Portland was Rufus Castle and the remains of the 11th century buildings can be seen on the east side of Portland.

Portland has three castles. The oldest is Rufus Castle otherwise known as Bow and Arrow Castle, standing on the cliff edge at Church Ope Cove. The castle is in ruins and much of it lies scattered on the shore beneath it.

The only remaining part of it still intact is the archway that spans the pathway down to Church Ope Cove. The archway is thought of Tudor origin from when the castle was partly rebuilt. Rufus Castle is probably so called because it was built for King William Rufus. It is thought to actually be the keep of a former more dominant castle on the site. The walls of it are approximately seven feet thick and built of Portland stone.