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	Sandsfoot Castle was built on the orders of King Henry VIII (reigned 1509-1547) and completed in 1539. It was built as part of a chain of sea defences, in conjunction with its twin, Portland Castle, to protect "ye Road where our Ships of War do often come to anchor". Henry's main concern was the threat of war with France after his break with the Roman Catholic Church. The mere presence of the Portland and Sandsfoot castles was sufficient to repel enemy attack, and not a shot was ever fired in anger, despite the threat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, and the civil war (1642-9), which was the cause of some frosty relations between Royalist Portland and Parliamentarian Weymouth. It was last actively used during the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685; after which it was left to the ravages of time and weather; the very forces that are eroding the cliff beneath it - so soon the castle will be no more. Portland Castle, however, remains very well preserved. Map
St. Nicholas's Church, Arne is just typical of the many beautiful and musty old churches found in every Dorset village. Map
	The famous Iron Age hill fort, Maiden Castle, is just south of Dorchester. "Maiden" means "never taken", however it did succumb to the Romans. Map
This lovely Norman chapel is on the southern tip of St. Aldhelms' Head. It is 32 feet square, and was once occupied by a priest who kept a look-out for ships and tended the beacon that formerly occupied the position of the cross on the chapel roof. To the right is the RNLI coastguard lookout. Map
	St. Catherines' Chapel overlooks the village of Abbotsbury, perched as it is upon a hillock. It was built by monks in the 14th century, probably as a beacon for those on a pilgrimage to their friary. Because of the unusual dedication to a female saint, the chapel was used by unmarried ladies to come and pray for a husband. Map
Corfe Castle - Before this impressive castle was built, the site was the scene of the murder of the fifteen year old King Edward the Martyr in 978 AD. By 1106 it had become a major fortress, and it was the site of a major war crime by King John when he starved to death political prisoners. Queen Elizabeth I gave it to Sir Walter Raleigh, and during the English Civil War (in 1646) the parliament blew it up to prevent it from being used against them. Map
	The Cerne Giant - This famously rude symbol, carved on a hillside near the village of Cerne Abbas, has long been believed to be a pagan god of fertility, and at least 1,500 years old. However according to a more recent and highly persuasive theory, it may actually be a caricature of Oliver Cromwell. Map

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