Plan Your Trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. You can find all our site-specific information and tools below, and for Covid-19 risk assessments and measures we’ve got in place please visit our what to expect page.

Download our free resources to help you make the most out of your visit and create unique learning experiences before, during and after your trip. We also offer free planning visits once you have made a booking, plus a 20% discount on the official English Heritage guidebook for your place of choice.

Once you book your visit you’ll be sent a visit permit, which you’ll need to bring with you on the day.

Visit our bookings page to start planning your trip!

• Facilities
  • PARKING: There is a large car park adjacent to the site for cars and minibuses only; please collect a parking permit from the shop and display it clearly or there will be a parking charge. Coaches must park in the public car park at Chiswell Beach; there is a parking charge. Accessible parking is available, please contact the site ahead of your visit.
  • TOILETS: Male, female and accessible toilets are located at the back of the Captain’s House.
  • LUNCH: There is no designated lunch space; groups are welcome to eat their lunch anywhere in the grounds. If you have booked the Education room (max 15 students), this space may also be used for lunch. Please note: all rubbish must be taken away with you, there are no bins on site.
  • SHOP: There is a well-stocked shop on site selling souvenirs and site-related merchandise. We ask that you bring in groups of no more than 10 students at a time and supervise your group in the shop at all times.
  • EDUCATION ROOM or BAG STORAGE: There is a small education room (max 15 students) which must be pre-booked. The room can be used for bag storage if booked.
  • ACCESSIBILITY: There is level access to the grounds and herb garden, the Captain’s House (including the Education room) and the lower floor of the castle; access to the upper floor and gun deck of the castle are restricted by stairs. There are handling objects in the Tudor kitchen and Braille plaques available.
  • WET WEATHER: There is some indoor space and the keep may be used for wet weather activities. If you have booked the Education room (max 15 students), this space may also be used for wet weather activities.

• Hazard Information

  A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

  • Portland Castle Hazard Information.pdf (58.5 KB)

   

  You must meet the following ratios for leaders to students on the day of your visit when booking, and if your group is forming smaller groups while at the site:

  • Ages 4-5 (UK Reception) 1 leader for every 4 students (1:4)
  • Ages 5-7 (UK Key Stage 1) 1 leader for every 6 students (1:6)
  • Ages 7-11 (UK Key Stage 2) 1 leader for every 10 students (1:10) and
  • Ages 11-18 (UK Key Stages 3, 4, and 5) 1 leader for every 15 students (1:15)
  • For an adult learning group, consisting of individuals all over the age of 18, there are no ratios but there must be an appointed group leader
  • All ratios outlined above apply to home education groups
  • If your group consists of children aged 3 and/or 4, you must also refer to the Early Years and Foundation Stage Statutory Framework which sets out specific legal requirements for minimum ratios for this age group, to include requirements about the qualifications of the leaders
  • SEND groups must meet the minimum ratios above but may bring any additional leaders as required to adequately support their group

• Education Site Opening Times

  We offer free self-led education visits during school term time^*.

  ^*Free education visits are not offered on UK public holidays or during the operation of additional fee paying public events at English Heritage sites.

  • April-October: Monday-Friday 10-4pm
  • November-March: No bookings can be taken at the current time