A new Heritage Trail has been unveiled as part of REVEAL: Portland and Weymouth’s Towns of Culture 2025 celebrations, giving residents and visitors the chance to explore 20 historic buildings and sites across both towns this September. The trail runs alongside Heritage Open Days from 12 to 21 September 2025, with each property open on selected dates.
The trail, brings together well known landmarks, hidden gems, and rarely opened spaces, all
free to visit. Highlights include:-
• Holy Trinity Church: Historic church with paintings and drawings of local buildings; ‘Building Our Town’ exhibition by Eric Ricketts. Open 13 – 19 September at 10:30 – 15:30. Read more here ….Read more here ….
• The Rectory, Weymouth: 18th century Grade II listed Georgian building, with a newly restored exterior. Step inside and hear local historian Graham Perry on 21 September at 11:00. 12:00 and 13:00 tell the story of this building. Read more here …
• Portland House, Bincleaves: Grade II listed Art Deco villa, open to the public from 19 to 21 September. 10:00 – 16:00. Read more here …
• High Angle Battery, Portland: Victorian coastal defence battery, also hosting the b- side BIG Weekend Art Event from 11 to 14 September. 11:00 – 18:00. Read more about the Big Weekend here …
• Grove Prison Museum, Portland: Telling the story of the prison’s role in quarrying stone for Portland Harbour. Open 18 & 20 September 10:00 – 14:00.
• As part of Heritage Open Days 2025 there will be FREE admission to Weymouth’s Nothe Fort on Sunday 14 September 10.30am to 4.00pm.Come along to learn all about the Nothe Fort Nuclear Bunker in a bookable talk, explore the Barbican, and watch afternoon Artillery demonstrations by the Nothe Fort Garrison The Dorsetshire Regiment. Read more here …
Other sites include Tudor House, Weymouth Pop-Up Museum, Nothe Fort, St Mary’s Church, Sandsfoot Castle, Jordan Hill Roman Temple, Portland Museum, St George’s Church, Rufus Castle, and more. From medieval castles and Roman ruins to community gardens and industrial heritage, the trail captures the breadth of the area’s cultural story.
Printed leaflets are available locally, signposting all participating properties and providing visitor information, or a digital version can be downloaded here: .
Many venues will also host free talks, tours, and exhibitions designed to bring their history to life. Visitors are advised to check the guide for individual opening dates and times.
Local historian, Graham Perry, commented:
“The Heritage Trail is about opening doors to both much loved landmarks and hidden gems, allowing people to uncover the stories that shaped them. The Rectory in St Thomas Street, for example, was the childhood home of John Meade Falkner, author of Moonfleet, later linked to the Jubilee Hall and Gaumont Theatre, and now brought back to life after standing empty for more than a decade.”
The Heritage Trail has been curated by Maryna Dovbysh, Production Assistant at b-side, who are project coordinators for Reveal: Portland and Weymouth Towns of Culture 2025.
Maryna Dovbysh, said:
“I have lived in Wyke Regis for more than three years, and in all this time the nature and unique heritage here have never stopped impressing me. With my children, we’re always discovering new places, or rediscovering familiar ones through creative events, walks, and talks. This map is a little guide to explore, connect and experience Portland and Weymouth in ways that celebrate both heritage and creativity.”
The Heritage Trail is part of REVEAL: Portland and Weymouth Towns of Culture 2025, a year-long programme celebrating the area’s creativity, heritage and community spirit.
Alongside the trail, the programme supports new cultural projects, artistic commissions and community-led events, all designed to showcase the towns’ distinctive identity.
The initiative is co-ordinated by b-side, an internationally recognised yet locally loved arts organisation that both reflects and enriches its place of origin – the Isle of Portland in Dorset.
For the full guide to venues, dates, and times pick up a leaflet locally, download the digital
guide here: or visit: www.portlandweymouthculture.com/events.
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