Nothe Fort
Castles & Heritage Sites
A Grade II* Victorian fort above Weymouth Harbour, now a museum with underground tunnels, a gun deck and a Cold War bunker. Dogs on short leads.
A fort built against the French
Nothe Fort was built between 1860 and 1872 to protect Portland Harbour, then becoming an important Royal Navy base, with the work taken over by 26 Company of the Royal Engineers in 1862. It was fully commissioned in 1872 at a cost of £117,049. The fort has three levels: a magazine level for ammunition, ground-level casemates built for heavy cannon and soldiers’ accommodation, and the ramparts above.
It was abandoned in 1956. The local council bought it in 1961, and in 1980 Weymouth Civic Society took it on under a lease. The fort and its outer gateway have been Grade II* listed since 1974. Today it runs as a museum and registered charity managed by the Civic Society.
What you see inside
Underground is the main draw: tunnels and passages beneath the fort, a Victorian gun deck, a Second World War gun and a Cold War nuclear bunker. In the Second World War the underground areas served for air raid protection and as command centres, and also for storing anti-aircraft ammunition. In 1983 parts of the fort became a council Emergency Control Centre.
There is a café, Fort View Café, as well as picnic areas, children’s trails and a programme of events through the year.
Getting there, dogs and access
The fort stands beside Nothe Gardens, off Barrack Road (DT4 8UF). Parking is in the Nothe Gardens car parks, and from Weymouth railway station it is a 20-minute walk along the seafront and harbour. In summer a rowing-boat ferry crosses from Custom House Quay.
Dogs are welcome on short leads at all times.
The fort has a lift at the far end of the Parade Ground to the Magazine Level, plus ramps around the Parade Ground. The fort’s website says lift access to the Ramparts level is currently unavailable because of works, so check before you go. Wheelchairs are available around the fort, and there are accessible toilets at the fort and in the café. The accessibility page gives the lift dimensions (1150mm by 850mm), which matter if you use a larger mobility scooter.
Plan around the season
The fort opens seasonally and closes for part of the winter for maintenance, so check dates on the Nothe Fort website before you set off. For the beach in town, see Weymouth Beach.
Where to stay near Nothe Fort
Sample dates: 30 October 2026 - 1 November 2026. Adjust below to see live prices for Dorset.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- Are dogs allowed in Nothe Fort?
- Yes. The fort describes itself as a dog-friendly museum and asks that all dogs stay on short leads at all times.
- Where do I park for Nothe Fort?
- There are three council-run pay and display car parks in Nothe Gardens, with charges applying between 8am and 6pm. Nine disabled bays are in the Gardens, three of them close to the fort.
- Is Nothe Fort open in winter?
- The fort closes for part of the winter for maintenance. Check the current season and closing dates on the fort's website before you travel.
- Can I get to Nothe Fort without a car?
- Yes. It is a 20-minute walk along the seafront and harbour from Weymouth railway station, and a ferry rowing boat runs in the summer months from Custom House Quay to the foot of the fort.
