Nothe Fort
Nothe Fort is built at the head of the Nothe Penisula which forms one side of Weymouth Harbour and overlooks Portland Harbour to the south. The penisula is a clay on rock outcrop, Nothe Forte is higher than most of Weymouth presenting commanding views of the Dorset coast from St Aldhems Head to the town of Weymouth, the Isle and harbour of Portland and Chesil Beach. The views from Nothe Fort are breathtaking and its well worth packing a picnic and whiling away a few hours on the in the Fort grounds.
Between the Fort and the Town are the Nothe Gardens, which was once part of the military establishment but now a popular landscaped park. other than some steps leading up to the grounds, its very family friendly.
Getting to Nothe Fort
Nothe Forte is easy to get to by road, and by foot and You cannot fail to see the Fort from anywhere on Weymouth Sea Front if you look to the South.
A small ferry runs across the harbour to Nothe Forte during the summer from near the Pavilion Theatre and a shuttle bus service leaves from the clock tower. Finger signposts throughout the town direct pedestrians to Nothe Fort
History of Nothe Fort
The Nothe peninsular extends out into Weymouth Bay and forms the southern side of Weymouth Harbour and the northern point of Portland Roads. It has a fantastic view of the Dorset Coastline, Weymouth, Chesil and the Isle of Portland. Viewers standing on its height may well have witnessed Roman warships bringing troops during the Roman invasion of Dorset and they might have seen the flashes of the guns of the Spanish Armada during the battle off Portland and cheered as captured Spanish galleons were towed into Weymouth. They certainly would have helped to light the warning beacon, permanently sited on the headland.
Guns had been placed on the Nothe since 1543, when a master gunner had been employed by Weymouth Corporation. There are further references to batteries surrounded by ramparts in 1622 and 1625. During the Civil War a small fort was built on the headland which changed hands several times before being abandoned after Cromwell's victory (two Royalists were hung on the Nothe during these skirmishes). Eighteenth-century reports refer to the poor state of the ordnance of some fourteen cannon, only two being in a fit state to be fired. All these emplacements had been sited to protect Weymouth, but the Victorian fort had as its prime task the defence of the new harbour created by the enclosure of Portland Roads. The defence of Weymouth was only an incidental responsibility
Our Hotel of the Week is the Wilton Guest House, it is perfectly situated between the Esplanade and Radipole lake. It has 3 dedicated family rooms and the owners are very knowledgable about the local erea.
http://www.thewiltonguesthouse.co.uk/6.html
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