Monument record MDO29758 - Medieval to post medieval Limestone quarries, East Weare, Portland

Medieval and post medieval limestone quarries are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs of 1968, between Rufus Castle and Durdle Pier. These limestone quarries were the earliest to be quarried on Portland, and were the site of Sir Christopher Wren's first workings. It occupies a 200-300m wide strip alng the east coast of the island between Church Ope Cove and King's Pier. At Penn's Weare the dressing process is clearly evident rfom roughly dressed stone to finely square blocks in situ, with dressing roughout piles in situ. These remains continue northwards into East Weare, although 19th and 20th century development has caused significant damage. The finished stone was shipped from the adjacent Durdle, Folly, and King's Piers, although only Durdle Pier is well-preserved.

Medieval and post medieval Limestone quarries are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs of 1968 <2> between Rufus Castle and Durdle Pier. The quarries are visible over an area measuring approximately 320 m by 130 m. The quarries are still visible as earthworks on the most recent comprehensive aerial imagery available to the project <3>. This site was digitally plotted during the South West Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset).

<1> English Heritage, 1997, Monument Protection Programme, Step 3 Report: Quarrying Industry 3.2 Additional Site Assessments
Lancashire University Archaeological Unit,., Dorset 10 (Serial). SDO17683.

‘The East and Penn’s Weares area of Portland is believed to be one of the earliest quarrying areas on the Isle and was the site of Christopher Wren’s first workings. It occupies a 250-300m wide step on the eastern coastal fringe between Church Ope Cove and King’s Pier. The area is characterised by extensive landslips and boulders which were exploited as readily available sources of stone. Penn’s Weares in particular shows clearly the dressing process from roughly dressed stone to finely squared blocks (in situ) with discrete piles of stone dressing waste. Thes remains continue northwards into East Weare, though 19th and 20th century development, e.g. the Easton and Church Hope Railway, has caused significant damage, particularly in the northernmost area. The finished stone was shipped from the adjacent Durdle, Folly and King’s Piers. Only Durdle Pier is well-preserved and is now used for boat handling. A timber crane with winding gear by Gilpin of Dorchester stands on the pier.’

<2> Meridian Air Maps Ltd, 26-JAN-1968, MAL 68002/012-3 (Aerial Photograph). SDO13066.

<3> XX-XXX-2009, Google Earth (Aerial Photograph). SDO12705.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1466569 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 19 2025 10:46AM