Sandsfoot Castle Remains

WEYMOUTH

SY67NE OLD CASTLE ROAD 873-1/4/242 (East side) 12/12/53 Sandsfoot Castle, remains

II*

Coastal fort, now ruined. c1541. For Henry VIII. Portland rubble core with remains of ashlar in parts. One of Henry VIII's coastal forts, built at a cost of »3887-4s-1d. PLAN: originally a central block of 2 storeys and basement, with NW entrance gate, and an octagonal gun-room on the seaward side. The outer walls with gatehouse remain in part, much decayed, but the gun-room has practically disappeared through coastal erosion. EXTERIOR: the entry front has remains of the left side of the gatehouse over an entry with straight-sided low arch, with remains of walling each side, unfaced. The right side has remains of walling to basement, ground and first floors, with substantial ashlar remnants to the upper level with 4 large openings to deep reveals on 4-centred heads over square openings, and very steep sloping sills. Beneath, in unfaced walling, are 6 lights to peaked heads, with 5 square-headed openings to the basement. The opposite flank has 4 deep casements, in some ashlar facing, above 4 openings to the main level; the basement level is below ground level on this side. INTERIOR: is completely unroofed and without floors or fittings except for remains of a fireplace and doorways at the seaward end. HISTORICAL NOTE: the building suffered early erosion, already referred to in 1584, was abandoned for military use in 1644-5, and used as a store until 1691. It has importance as one of the coastal defences built for Henry VIII; the corresponding Portland Castle (see Portland) is still complete. RCHME has drawings of the ruins (p.337). (RCHME: Dorset, South-East: London: 1970-: 336-337).

Listing NGR: SY6748277372