For almost 1,000 years, Corfe Castle has stood sentinel over a natural gap in Dorset’s rolling Purbeck Hills. Built by William the Conqueror and destroyed in the aftermath of the English Civil War, its dramatic ruins provide a chance for visitors to travel back in time through some of the most famous (and infamous) periods of British history.
There is more than enough left of Corfe Castle to make for an impressive visit. Wander through picturesque archways, see the damage wrought by Parliamentarian gunpowder, and gaze out through the arrow slits where medieval archers would once have taken aim across majestic views of the Purbeck countryside. Don’t forget to look upwards, too—where the ceilings survive you will spot murder holes; openings through which the castle’s defenders poured scalding water, oil, and tar on their attackers.
Of particular interest is the West Bailey. Here stands the Norman Old Hall, the oldest surviving section of the castle and the site of the Saxon hall that came before it. Legend has it that Edward the Martyr was murdered there in 978 by his stepmother so that his half-brother Ethelred could be crowned King of England. Edward’s body was later disinterred and allegedly found to be miraculously preserved; as a result, the teenage king became a saint and his mortal remains became holy relics.
The castle also boasts a National Trust shop, and an 18th-century tea room and gardens. If you feel the need for some exercise after one too many scones, embark on a 30-minute National Trust walking trail that takes you across Corfe Common for beautiful views of the castle and a chance to admire some 4,000-year-old Bronze Age burial mounds. Lastly, be sure to check the National Trust website before booking your visit. Corfe Castle often hosts fun-filled events including historic reenactments, medieval festivals, and falconry displays.
How to Visit
Corfe Castle is located in the village of the same name, in Dorset county on the peninsula known as the Isle of Purbeck. If you plan on renting a car, you will find the village on the A351 road from Wareham to Swanage, and you can park in the National Trust car park located opposite the castle hill. The car park has 90 spaces and operates on a pay-and-display basis. It’s also possible to reach the castle using public transport. The Wilts & Dorset Number 40 bus from Poole to Swanage stops at the village, as does the heritage steam train operated by Swanage Railway.
The two top-rated hotels are Mortons Manor Hotel (a Grade II-listed Elizabethan manor house once patroned by Elizabeth I) and The Bankes Arms Hotel (a traditional British pub with rooms overlooking the castle or steam railway). Alternatively, the village offers a wealth of excellent B&Bs. Our favorites are Challow Farm House, with four luxury rooms in a tranquil garden setting; and 19th-century guesthouse Olivers.
Mortons Manor Hotel and The Bankes Arms Hotel both have popular restaurants, while the tea rooms at Corfe Castle and Corfe Castle Model Village are great for a light bite or afternoon tea. For local farm-to-table cuisine, try The Pink Goat (open for breakfast and lunch daily, and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays). For classic British pub fare, including Sunday roast and fish and chips washed down with a pint or two of ale by the fireside, The Castle Inn is our top pick.