Captain'S House

PORTLAND

SY67SE CASTLE ROAD, Castletown 969-1/1/3 (West side (off)) Captain's House

GV II*

Large detached house, adjoining Portland Castle (qv). Between 1816 and 1835, on site of and partly incorporating walls of former outbuildings to the Castle. Rendered and scribed, slate roofs. A long single-depth rectangular building in two storeys, entered on the E, courtyard side. E front in 6 bays, 3-light narrow casements in plat band painted surrounds, and mostly with protective vertical iron bars; at ground floor bay 2 has plank and batten C19 door, and bay 5 a projecting Gothick oriel in 3 small-pane casement lights to panelled crenellations and over panels with plain shields. South end has margin-pane sashes, at both levels in deep splayed surrounds, that to ground floor larger than above. West front has various casements, and some single-storey additions; two parapet stacks. Hipped slate roofs concealed behind crenellated parapet above continuous string course. Crenellations have weathered copings, but over the last two bays at north end they are without stone dressings. North end, nearest Castle, has fine Gothick door in narrow panels to ogee heads, and a margin-pane sash centre first floor. Later lean-to not of special interest. Interior retains good stick baluster staircase opposite main entry, and a secondary stair with turned balusters in NW corner. The house is now that of the Captain to HMS Osprey, but was the Master Gunner's residence before it came into the Manning family in 1816, when it is assumed that the major reconstruction took place. The site was occupied until then by brewhouse, stable, and suttler's house. (Royal Commission on Historical Monuments: Dorset: London: 1970-: 252).

Listing NGR: SY6843574359