Sandsfoot Castle, Henry VIII's historic fort, long ruined. Weymouth. Built around 1542

Sandsfoot Castle, Henry VIII's ruined fortress, Weymouth. Sandsfoot Castle,, is an artillery fort constructed by Henry VIII in Weymouth, Dorset. It formed part of the King's Device programme to protect against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire, and defended the Weymouth Bay anchorage. The stone castle had an octagonal gun platform, linked to a residential blockhouse, and was completed by 1542 at a cost of £3,887. Earthwork defences were built around the landward side of the castle, probably in 1623. Sandsfoot saw service during the English Civil War, when it was held by Parliament and Royalists in turn during the conflict. It survived the interregnum, but the fortress was withdrawn from military use in 1665 following Charles II's restoration to the throne.
By the early 18th century, Sandsfoot was in ruins, its stonework taken for use in local building projects. The clay cliffs on which the castle had been built had always been unstable and subject to erosion. The castle's gun platform began to collapse into the sea and, by the 1950s, had been entirely destroyed. The ruins were closed to visitors on safety grounds, although civic gardens were planted alongside it in 1951. Historic England considers Sandsfoot to be "one of the most substantial examples" of the 16th-century blockhouses to survive in England, although on the opposite shore of Portland Harbour, the contemporary Portland Castle has survived remarkably intact.

[@debhanlon1530]

Fabulous, nice touch with Greensleeves!

[@chrissiedinnage-mann2808]

Amazing filming Stuart!

[@santorini8423]

You really do some fine work 👍

[@zabeerrashid8148]

I make a point of visiting the castle whenever I come to Weymouth. Beautiful memories there with the love of my life 💏

[@michaelhorton9583]

Nicely done Stuart. Brings back memories of the old Castle Cove Sailing club and moorings.