Portland’s Museum

Situated in the ancient hamlet of Wakeham and above the cove at Church Ope, Portland’s Museum was founded in 1930 by Dr Marie Stopes in two early 17th century stone cottages. Inspired by one of these cottages, Wessex author, Thomas Hardy made it the home of Avice, the heroine in his novel “The Wellbeloved”.

Today the Museum houses many of the artefacts associated with the history and culture of the Island and Royal Manor of Portland and tells the story of local industry, the Sea, the Prisons and the People.

The Museum is open Sunday to Thursday, 10:30 – 4pm (last entry at 3:30pm) until the end of October.

The Museum houses a range of artefacts and information telling the story of Portland’s maritime history. Displays include items recovered from the shipwrecks of the ‘Earl of Abergavenny’ and the ‘Royal Adelaide’, just two of the numerous ships lost in local waters. From the first recorded landing of the Vikings on English soil and the establishment of the Royal Naval base, to hosting the sailing events of the 2012 Olympic Games, Portland’s history has been forever linked to
the sea.