Corfe Castle is a small village on the Isle of Purbeck located midway between Wareham to the north and Swanage to the south in the picturesque county of Dorset. Wandering around the village with its charming buildings constructed from the local Purbeck stone we soon arrived in the village square. Here we found a cluster of small buildings comprising a post office, village store, church, a couple of pubs and a National Trust shop where we always find a good range of gifts and handicrafts to tempt us.
Moving on, we strolled up the steep path to the castle which bears the same name as the village below. Built by William the Conqueror, the castle dates back to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The castle was named ‘Corfe’ which means a cutting or gap as it was actually built in a gap of chalk hills created by two streams eroding the rock on either side. Unusually for castles built in the 11th century, Corfe was partially constructed from stone, indicating that it was of high status.
Entering the castle ruins through a stone archway we found ourselves in the Outer Bailey. Here, a tented Tudor village had been erected where staff dressed in medieval costumes were demonstrating ancient crafts. We watched a lady baking a chicken pie, the meat cooking in a clay pot hanging over an open fire then we moved on to the nearby stand where a man was demonstrating Tudor beer making techniques.
Children were having fun trying on metal helmets, playing historic games and having their photos taken in the wooden stocks which used to be seen in market squares. A trebuchet took our attention, this medieval siege engine would have been made to hurl rocks, dead animals or bees’ nests at the enemy. It was a huge machine and could be dismantled and carried around the country to the next battle.
It was then time to explore more of the castle ruins and take in some of the breathtaking views looking down to the village below and across the Purbeck hills. We couldn’t have timed it better as just as we were leaning over one of the viewpoint balconies a steam train from the Swanage Steam Railway heritage line puffed its way past along the valley. During the summer steam trains run regularly between Swanage and Corfe Castle, we haven’t taken a ride on one yet but it’s definitely on our ‘to do’ list!
We scrambled over rocky paths and marvelled at how large parts of these ruins had been standing for so long. Following paths, we ventured into the Keep and peeped through the narrow gaps in the stone. Being exposed on the hill top it was very breezy but still quite warm when we returned to the car, stopping for a few minutes to read the display boards in the Visitor Centre.
It was our first visit to Corfe Castle and we found it to be very enjoyable so if you find yourselves in Dorset it would be an interesting day out. To find out more you can take a look at the National Trust website here.
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Great post on visiting the castle. These type of structures have a special interest with me. Thank you for the pictures and the info.
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It’s my pleasure Geri, thank you for taking an interest in this post on Corfe Castle and for your welcome thoughts.
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Awesome!
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Lovely informative post! Unfortunately, the castle was closed when we visited Devon last winter, but it’s on our list for the next visit.
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I do hope you get a chance to return as it’s such an interesting place. I’m sure you will be able to, before too long.
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I visited Corfe Castle years ago and enjoyed it very much, too. I remember the stone walkway up to the castle being very impressive. The views, as you said, are truly beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
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I’m so pleased you enjoyed my post on Corfe Castle Ziggy and it brought back some fond memories for you. Let’s hope we can soon go back to visiting these places soon.
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Yes, that would be lovely!
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I’d love to go there. I’ve a vague idea that it’s supposed to be connected to the Famous Five!
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Corfe Castle is a delightful place to visit and you are quite right as it is thought to be Kirrin Castle n the Enid Blyton Famous Five books. Thank you for taking an interest in my blog, it’s much appreciated.
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I love castles and castle ruins. I loved your pictures it’s so awesome you can do these things.
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Thank you Sherryl for your kind words. Corfe Castle is such a wonderful place to visit and hopefully we can all enjoy visiting places like this again soon.
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Lovey. Just one word for this post…LOVELY
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Thank you so much for your kind words, they are much appreciated. Corfe Castle is indeed a lovely place to visit.
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My lifetime wish is to visit Dorset and Somerset once before I die.
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I’m sure your dream will come true – they are both idyllic counties. Take care.
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ya I have heard so. U too take care
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This makes me want to go so badly!!!
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It really is lovely. Hopefully t won’t be too long until we can all start exploring again.
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I love visiting places like this and I think the stream train would be a must too 🙂
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Thank you for taking the time to comment, it’s much appreciated. I would also like to take a ride on that steam train.
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Thanks for sharing – this makes me miss home so much! Can’t wait to come back for some UK travels! Take care
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Thank you! Corfe Castle is a delightful place to visit and hopefully it won’t be too long before we’re all on the move once again.
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What a beautiful place! Great pictures! Thanks for sharing! – Allison
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Thanks Allison, so pleased to read that you enjoyed my post on Corfe Castle.
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Very interesting! Thank you for sharing!
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It’s my pleasure Hettie, thank you for your much appreciated thoughts. Corfe Castle is a lovely place to visit.
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Hello Marion.
Excellent post and very beautiful photos. This is a real historic castle! I love history, even when in school. Thank you for this history lesson!
Have a good day!
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Thank you Matti for taking an interest in this post on Corfe Castle. It’s a wonderful castle and such an interesting day out for all ages.
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How exciting to visit this place. I had some old ancestors come from towns near Swanage so this was a nice glimpse into the are in which they lived their lives. I love the outfits in the stalls!
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Thanks Amanda for your interesting thoughts. The National Trust have created an interesting learning experience and fun day out with something for all ages. Swanage is a lovely Victorian traditional seaside resort with a wide sweeping bay. Hopefully when restrictions are lifted I’ll get back down to Dorset and spend a day there and then I can write about it.
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I will look forward to that.
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I would have been so interested in being part of that tour. Isn’t it sad when ancient buildings like that are not maintained?
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The National Trust have made a good job of creating a learning experience at Corfe Castle for all ages. I’d love to take a ride on the steam train sometime when it resumes trips once again. Thanks Ian for your positive thoughts.
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I agree it looks like they have done a good job creating an experience for all ages.
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Thanks for taking the time to comment on my Corfe Castle post. I thought that the National Trust have created an interesting visit without making it too themed.
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oh how perfect! Love it!
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Thanks Andy for your kind words. Both Corfe Castle and it’s village are really beautiful and a very interesting day out for all ages.
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Amazing luck/timing getting the steam train in the shot!
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Es, we were really fortunate to spot the steam train. Hopefully next time we’re in the area we can take a ride on it from Swanage as that would be fun. It’s a lovely day here, hope it’s just as nice in Wiltshire for you.
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I love Dorset and I’m fortunate to have a friend who lives in Westbourne, Bournemouth. We had a wonderful day out, a couple of years ago, which involved an open top bus, a chain ferry, a cliff walk and a look at Corfe Castle! Here’s the link:
https://fancyingfrance.com/2018/08/06/i-do-like-to-be-beside-the-seaside/
Thank you for this post which bought back some very happy memories!
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I’ve just read your post – we love the Sandbanks Ferry and Studland.
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Thank you and one is so near to the New Forest!
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That’s very true. Just the place for a lovely walk when all this is over. I have a good friend who lives in New Milton on the edge of the forest. Hope the weather’s nice with you, it’s gorgeous here.
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Yes, fabulous weather here!
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Beautiful countryside to be sure. Love the steam train shot. Thanks for sharing. Allan
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Corfe Castle and it’s village are really beautiful as is most of Dorset. Hope things are going as well as they can be for you right now. Marion
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One of my go to visit places as we’ll investing more travelling within the UK
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Definitely, I’m sure it will be homeland holidays for quite awhile once we can all set off again. Gorgeous weather here in the north today, hope it’s the same with you.
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Sunny side up here like a good cooked egg. If you’re up North look up ‘Bainland’, thinking of booking this up this year if possible.
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Just searched Bainland as I’d no idea where it was. The country park and accommodation look lovely. Just what we all need. We’re quite a long way north of there.
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I’m down South…..don’t worry!! 😁
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I won’t but there are some lovely spots down there too!
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Hi there, Thanks for your interesting piece on Corfe Castle and environs. It brings back many happy memories of a happy holiday in Swanage and a visit to the castle and near-by areas. Our lads enjoyed it all. We were there in the 1970s…Keep travelling but take care! Cheers. x
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Hi Joy, Swanage is still a lovely Victorian seaside resort with its sweeping bay. I’m looking forward to gong on the Steam Railway when it’s running once again and being able to write about it. Thank you for your ever welcome thoughts. We’re fine here, you take care as well! xx
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It will be interesting, absolutely interesting, to know about Cyprus and its quaint villages.
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I haven’t actually ever visited Cyprus but I would love to explore the island one day and then I can write about my travels there.
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I will wait for your excellent travelogue
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That is so kind, thank you. Let’s hope it’s not too long to wait!
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Loved this castle! We enjoyed our visit there as well as shown here: https://wp.me/p3jGVT-l5
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Hello, so pleased you have also visited Corfe Castle. I’ve just followed your link and read about it, too. Let’s hope we can all start exploring again soon.
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Will definitely hope so!
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It makes me think of the Famous Five books:)
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How lovely! The National Trust organise the outdoor displays and demonstrations so well to make it interesting for all ages. Let’s hope they can all open again soon.
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What an awesome place! Love the historical educators and that train shot was perfect.
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Thank you, Corfe Castle is a wonderful day out and we were so lucky to spot the steam train passing by. Next time I want to take a ride on it, hopefully we’ll be able to do that before too long when things start getting back to normal.
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interesting write up, enough to encourage a visit
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Thank you, Corfe Castle is a great day out – both around the castle and the unspoilt village centre.
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This area of the country is so beautiful. The steam train ride is great, especially if combined with a boat trip along the Old Harry Rocks – makes for a great day out. And the National Trust tea shop, with it’s beautiful view of the castle, does wonderful scones!
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Thank you for your welcome thoughts. We’ve taken a boat trip around the Old Harry Rocks but it was a long time ago and I’d like to do it again. I definitely want to go on the steam railway, hopefully soon after things get back to normal. Love the NT tea shops too.
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Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
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LOOKS LIKE YOU HAD A GREAT DAY OUT IN GOOD WEATHER, GREAT POST, CHINA
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It was a delightful place to visit, thank you.
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My this looks interesting! My husband would love the steam train as well. This is going on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Julie for your welcome thoughts. Corfe Castle is lovely and when restrictions are lifted, I also want to take a ride on the steam train!
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What remains of the fortress shows many similarities with the equivalent constructions in France at that time, I am thinking in particular of the slightly later Chateau de Gisors. There is certainly a lot to learn from these visits. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for taking the time to comment. I enjoy wandering around these fortresses. Perhaps I should add the hate au de Gisors to my ever growing list when we an travel once more.
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