High Angle Battery Improvements Project
In September 2023, Dorset Council was granted National Lottery Heritage funding to improve and preserve the heritage site of High Angle Battery on Portland.
Working closely with Portland Town Council, Island Community Action, heritage experts, stakeholders and the community, this project, will focus on improving the site’s heritage, biodiversity, access and to tell the story of the battery to a much wider audience.
A consultation with the local community carried out at the beginning of 2023 helped shape the project, through which key partners, the community, and volunteers outlined improvements they wanted to see made to the site. The consultation also highlighted local appetite for more activities and events at the site and for the popular ‘ghost tunnels’ to be fully opened.
Heritage interpretation designers Smith & Jones have now been commissioned to develop innovative interpretation that will tell the story of High Angle Battery.
How to get involved
Thank you to those of you who joined us at Portland Library on the 7th March. We had some really interesting conversations with people from the community who had memories and stories to tell about High Angle Battery. It was great to hear about family members who had worked on the site during the various stages of the site's history. Stories and memories will help shape new interpretation to share the story of High Angle Battery.
If you have a story or memory to share you can still do this on our online Story board or contact us at dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or speak to Nikki or Izzy on 01305 224388.
Share your memories and stories and upload any photos on our Story Board!
Event at Portland Library for the community to drop-in and share their storiesBackground Information
High Angle Battery is located on Portland and is a protected as a Scheduled Monument, a status which recognises its national importance. It is part of the story of Portland’s military past and a significant element in an ‘arms race’ in the later 19th century. It was built in the 1890s with the intention of firing shells down onto ships attacking Portland Harbour from a position invisible to those on the ships – aided by a complicated system to help the gunners locate the ships. It is a hidden complex with buildings, tunnels, and gun emplacements.
High Angle Battery is loved by the people of Portland and holds many memories for them, especially around the tunnels, known locally as the ‘ghost tunnels’. It is also visited by tourists, many who stumble across it not knowing it is there or have any knowledge of its national importance.
Story Board
Share your memories, stories and upload photos here!
Your stories will be shared on this page for the public to view.
Click in the title below to add your story.
To add a photo click on 'insert image' in tool bar and then click or drop to upload your photo.
Don't forget to tick the box to give permission for others to add their comments to your story.
The Ghost TunnelsIf the heritage designers use your story or photo in the interpretation we will be in contact with you to confirm that we have your permission.
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A hidden gem for photographers
Having lived on Portland for almost three years, the "Ghost Tunnels" were something I hadn't really heard much about until I lived here, but as a hobbyist photographer they present some really unique opportunities for photos. Here are some of the images I've taken over the years.
I'd really love to see the tunnels opened up to events like photography workshops and tours - there's a lot of room for creativity here!
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Who's Listening
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On behalf of Dorset Council
Phone 01305 224833 Email dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
