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"In every outthrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand there is the story of the earth."

Portland Harbour Castle Cove

Dorset, England


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Portland Harbour Castle Cove, also known as Sandsfoot Cove, is a small, secluded sandy beach located in Portland Harbour on the Dorset coast.

Portland Harbour Castle Cove is situated in Portland Harbour, approximately 100 yards from Sandsfoot Castle and Gardens. The beach is a sheltered sandy cove, about 220 metres wide, backed by cliffs and greenery. It is a privately owned beach that slopes gently into the water, making it a great spot for kids with safe paddling areas and interesting rockpools at low tide.

The beach is overlooked by the majestic ruins of Sandsfoot Castle, which was built by Henry VIII to defend Portland Harbour. The Castle Cove Sailing Club is located close to the beach, and there are also nearby attractions such as the Sandsfoot Castle and Gardens.

In 2013, public access to the beach was temporarily closed due to damage caused by coastal erosion, but locals launched a successful campaign to have access to the beach restored.

The Portland Harbour beaches, including Castle Cove, are small and secluded, and are located on a spit similar to the neighbouring Chesil Beach, which starts at the ruins of Castleton Castle. Another nearby beach is Hamm Beach, a shingle beach located on the eastern side of the causeway linking Portland to Weymouth.

Portland Harbour Castle Cove is on the Jurassic Coast.

Sand

Weather and tides for Wednesday 16 September

Tonight
Chance of rain 25%
Min temperature 15°C
feels like 15°C
Wind 18mph
Tomorrow (Thursday)
Chance of rain 78%
Max temperature 19°C
feels like 17°C
Wind 19mph
Max UV Index

The tide at Portland Harbour Castle Cove is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 10:53 PM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 4:40 AM tomorrow.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Other beaches nearby

Location: Southlands, Weymouth

Location type: Urban

OS Grid: SY675775

Coordinates: 50°35'49"N 2°27'35"W

Mapcode: GBR PY.F7TT

What 3 Words: tape.lock.switch

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

County: Dorset

Country: England

Local Authority: Weymouth and Portland

Nearest postcode: DT4 8QF

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

Visitor information for Portland Harbour Castle Cove, Dorset, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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216.73.217.16 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 18:59:25 +0100