Portland - Easton & Pirates

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Portland Easton and its pirate-flavoured coastal corners, with Adventurers helping the Exploration Society follow a weathered treasure map around Portland to track down the missing smuggled cargo.

The quest covers approximately 2 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll start near the Museum Church Ope car park, off Pennsylvania Road, follow the Coast Path with views along the Jurassic Coast, investigate the secluded Pirates Graveyard behind Pennsylvania Castle, pass Rufus Castle, explore a sandy cove area, continue towards Eastern Square and The Easton Centre, then loop back past Tesco, Park Road and the Portland Windmills towards Pennsylvania Castle.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The first half of this Trail can be very difficult to manage if you have any mobility issues due to some rough ground. There are also steep steps and some steep hills, so please keep this in mind when deciding to do this Trail.

The route includes paths, pavements, a tarmac road section, rough ground, steep steps, steep hills and a sandy cove area with quarry debris worn into pebbles. Take great care on the steps and in the Pirates Graveyard, as they can be slippery when wet. Carefully cross the road at the start and later at Bumpers Lane, the zebra crossing and the traffic lights. The route also passes cliff edges and can be affected by landslides, so keep Mini Explorers close and stay alert on the coastal sections.

Getting There

By car: Start your hunt near the Museum Church Ope car park, off Pennsylvania Road (DT5 1HP). You can park your expedition vehicle at Museum Church Ope car park (DT5 1HP) for up to 72 hours.

By public transport: Make your way to the start near the Museum Church Ope car park, off Pennsylvania Road (DT5 1HP), then gather your crew and begin following the map from there.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are available in Eastern Square, making this a handy comfort stop during the treasure hunt.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

If you're bringing four-legged Explorers, plan carefully for this coastal quest. 🐾

The route includes road crossings, rough ground, steep steps, steep hills, slippery sections in wet weather, cliff edges and a sandy cove area, so keep dogs close throughout - especially near traffic, the steps, the Pirates Graveyard and the coastal sections affected by landslides.

Food & Drink Stops

Smuggled cargo hunting is hungry work. There are chances to stop for refreshments and stock up on snacks after Clue 15 or at Tesco near the end, and the route also passes quite a few quaint little shops near The Easton Centre.

You can enjoy a picnic at the cove or in the gardens at Clue 18 if your crew would rather bring provisions and pause mid-quest.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Pirates Graveyard

The route's early coastal section leads Adventurers to a secluded Pirates Graveyard hidden behind Pennsylvania Castle. It sits along the Coast Path, with views along the Jurassic Coast, making it a suitably atmospheric spot to linger once you've stopped scanning every stone for smuggler clues.

Rufus Castle

The ruined castle seen on the route is Rufus Castle, also known as Bow and Arrow Castle. It dates back to the 15th century, but stands on the site of an earlier building dating back to 1142, making it Portland's oldest castle. It was reportedly built for William II, William Rufus - a proper old stronghold for treasure-hunters with a taste for history.

The Portland Museum

The Portland Museum is in the area of the route and is really worth a visit if you have time. It is open from March to October, was founded by Marie Stopes in 1930, and the cottage housing it was the inspiration for Thomas Hardy's novel The Wellbeloved.

Portland Windmills

The route back towards the start takes you past the Portland Windmills. The Southern and Northern, presumed medieval, Portland Windmills were first recorded in accounts of 1608, although the exact date of construction is unknown. Both have been Grade II listed buildings since 1978 and are the only historic windmills to survive in Dorset.