Scheduled MonumentsEnglandRufus Castle

Rufus Castle

England
List entry 1002698
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Rufus Castle is a late medieval fortress located on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. The castle was constructed in the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century, likely during the reign of Henry VII or Henry VIII, as part of the defensive fortifications built to protect the Dorset coast against foreign invasion. The structure comprises a circular or polygonal tower keep with substantial stone walls, characteristic of Tudor-period military architecture. Its strategic position overlooking Portland Harbour and the English Channel made it an important element in the coastal defence network of southern England during the Tudor period.

Rufus Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1002698. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rufus Castle?

Rufus Castle is a late medieval fortress located on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1002698.

Who is responsible for protecting Rufus Castle?

Rufus Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1002698.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rufus Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including East Weare rifle range (1.7 km), Portland open fields (1.8 km), Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery (P3 Verne), 275m south-west of Fancy's Farm (2 km).

Aubrey Research

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in the UK — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.

Research the area around Rufus Castle