Welcome to The Portland Museum Website

“the treasure on the Island”

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 artifacts 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 will be open Saturday to Thursday, 10:30am to 4pm, last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.

The Museum will also be open on Fridays in August on 4th 10:30 to 4pm for Dino Day, 11th 10:30 to 2pm and 25th 10:30 to 1pm. We will also be open on Fridays in September on 1st 10:30am to 2pm, 8th 10:30 am to 2pm, 15th 10:30 to 2pm and 29th 10:30am to 2pm.

Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.

If you would be interested in becoming a volunteer at the Museum please contact Lisa at the Museum by phone or e mail. We would be thrilled to welcome anyone interested.

Portland People

People are known to have lived on Portland since Neolithic times and over the centuries the Island has hosted foreign invaders, pirates, military garrisons, convicts, sailors, itinerate workers and artists read more …

Maritime Portland

The Museum houses a range of artefacts and information telling the story of Portland’s Maritime History. Displays include items recovered from numerous wrecks read more …

Portland Stone

The Museum’s Stone exhibit, housed in “Avice’s” cottage, tells the story of the Portland Stone industry, from quarrying and processing to its use in prestige buildings and memorials around the world read more …

Jurassic Portland

Portland sits proud and central on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast a World Heritage site. The museum houses a fascinating collection of fossils dating back hundreds of millions of years read more …