Portland Museum

19/10/2026

🦴✨ Return of the Mer‑Chicken!

Portland Museum will be open every day this October half term —
Monday 26th Oct to Sunday 1st Nov, 10:30 am – 4 pm (last admittance 3:30 pm)

Come and meet the legendary Mer‑Chicken, back from the depths and ready for its close‑up from Saturday 24 October!
This incredible piece of art by local artist Sophie Fretwell brings Portland’s folklore to life in spectacular style — a perfect mix of creativity and island myth.

🎃 Halloween weekend will be packed with spooky fun, crafts, and surprises, so gather your courage and join the festivities!

🍂 It’s also our final week of opening before we close for winter, so don’t miss your chance to explore the museum while it’s still brimming with autumn magic.

18/10/2026

🦖💀 BREAKING NEWS: The T‑Rexes have escaped… and they’ve gone spooky!
They’ve been spotted dancing at Portland Bill Lighthouse and trick‑or‑treating across the island — but they’ll be back for Spooky Weekend at Portland Museum! 🎃🕺

👻 Saturday 31 October — Crafts & Folklore Fun
Nanny Diamonds, Mer‑Chickens, jack o’ lantern crafts, bat decorations, badges, face painting, glitter tattoos, paint‑your‑own fossils and our Spooky Eye Spy Challenge.

🎃 Sunday 1 November — Haunted Museum Adventure
Explore eerie sights, strange sounds and magical surprises. Complete the Eye Spy trail to win a spooky prize!

🕰️ 10:30am–3:30pm both days
🎟️ £3.50 child / £2.50 adult
Islanders: £2.50 child / £1.50 adult

Come for the dinos, stay for the spooky fun.

15/10/2026

🎷✨ Night at the Museum with Smudge & Judy
Sunday 1 November • 5–7pm • £7 entry (first drink included)

As darkness settles over Portland, the museum will come alive with wonderful live music performed outside in the museum garden. Wrap up warm, bring a cosy coat, and enjoy this unique chance to experience the museum by night.

Throughout the evening, visitors are welcome to explore the galleries and historic cottages, soaking up the atmosphere of the museum after hours. Wander through the displays, step inside the cottages, and enjoy the rare opportunity to experience Portland’s heritage in the quiet glow of night.

This special event offers a blend of outdoor music and indoor discovery — a perfect way to enjoy the museum in a whole new light.

🎶 Live spooky music
🍂 Autumn magic in the museum
🍪 Refreshments available throughout

To book:
📧 [email protected]
📞 01305 821804
🔗 Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/night-at-the-museum-with-smudge-judy-tickets-2003451307793

15/10/2026

Today we celebrate the 144th birthday of Dr Marie Stopes, whose vision and determination shaped Portland Museum as we know it.

Stopes was not only a pioneering scientist and writer — her book Married Love was once ranked among the 25 most influential books of the previous 50 years, placed above works by Einstein, Freud and Keynes.
“Married Love by Dr Marie Stopes was one of the 25 most influential books…”

In 1929 she purchased the derelict cottages in Wakeham, transformed them, and gifted the museum to the people of Portland. Nearly a century later, we continue her mission to preserve the island’s heritage for future generations.

A remarkable woman, and an enduring legacy.

14/10/2026

🦷 Spotlight on the Portland crocodile tooth!
Found in Fancy Beach Quarry and belonging to Teleosaurus, this Jurassic marine crocodile swam the seas around 145 million years ago.
It’s one of our favourite fossils in the collection — have you seen it at the museum?

One of our favourite fossils in the collection — the Portland crocodile tooth! 🦷
Found in Fancy Beach Quarry and belonging to Teleosaurus, this Jurassic marine crocodile swam the seas around 145 million years ago.
Have you spotted it at the museum?

12/10/2026

🕰️ Upcoming Talk at Portland Museum
Join us on Thursday 22 October, 2:30pm–4pm at C2000 Hall, Straits, Easton for Portland Curiosities – A Talk by Geoff Kirby.

Local researcher and storyteller Geoff Kirby takes us on a fascinating journey through Portland’s odd characters, secret places and wonderfully eccentric tales. Expect folklore, forgotten corners and stories that reveal the island as you’ve never seen it before.

🎟️ Tickets: £4 / £3 Friends of Portland Museum
📧 To book: [email protected]
📞 Call: 01305 821804
💻 Or book online via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/portland-curiosities-a-talk-by-geoff-kirby-tickets-2003255980564

11/10/2026

Spooky Weekend is coming to Portland Museum!
Join us on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November for two days of Halloween crafts, folklore fun, spooky surprises and a gentle haunted‑house experience perfect for families.

On Saturday, little makers can create Nanny Diamonds, Mer‑Chickens, jack o’ lantern crafts, bat decorations, badges and more — plus face painting, glitter tattoos, paint‑your‑own fossils and our Spooky Eye Spy Challenge.

On Sunday, explore the museum as it transforms into a spooky, atmospheric adventure filled with eerie sights, strange sounds and magical surprises around every corner. Complete the Eye Spy trail to win a spooky prize!

🎟️ Tickets: £3.50 per child / £2.50 per accompanying adult
Islanders: £2.50 per child / £1.50 per accompanying adult
🕰️ 10:30am – 3:30pm both days

06/10/2026

✨ WRITE NOW – A Community Poetry & Prose Afternoon ✨
Thursday 8 October, 1:45pm–4pm
Portland Museum, 217 Wakeham, DT5 1HS
Free admission & refreshments

To celebrate the creativity in our community, we’re sharing a beautiful reading by local writer Paul Snow, performing his poem I Need You — a tender, thoughtful piece that shows just how varied and personal writing can be.

Paul will be joining fellow writers Chris Fogg and Dave Warren at our upcoming WRITE NOW event: a relaxed, welcoming afternoon where anyone is invited to read their own work aloud.

Bring a poem (up to 30 lines) or a short piece of prose (up to 400 words) on any subject at all — everyday moments, relationships, memories, imaginative stories, or something deeply personal. Your writing does not need to be about Portland; this event is all about celebrating the many voices and experiences within our community.

Prefer to listen rather than read? You’re just as welcome. Come enjoy an afternoon of local creativity, shared stories and friendly conversation.

We’d love to see you there. 💛