This ancient ruin is Britain’s most iconic and evocative survivor of the English Civil War. Here’s why.
With tumbledown walls, ghosts of dilapidated towers and halls that hint at its glorious past, Corfe is the very essence of the romantic ruined castle.
Where is Corfe Castle?
This spectacular ruin is located halfway between Wareham and Swanage on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, UK.
When was Corfe Castle built?
Corfe Castle was built shortly after the Norman conquest of 1066, using Purbeck limestone from local quarries.
Given its location – set on its own little hillocks in a gap between the Isle of Purbeck and the rest of Dorset, where nothing can pass in or out without going past the Castle – it’s likely it was originally a fortified site before the castle was built.
Who built Corfe Castle?
A once mighty stronghold, Corfe owes most of the romance of its appearance to two men who lived six centuries apart: William the Conqueror and a Captain Hughes of Lulworth. However, its most romantic story most certainly belongs to a woman, one Lady Mary Bankes:
William built the first stone castle here on the site of a much earlier Saxon fortress.
Henry I added a keep and bad King John a sort of palace-in-miniature below it.
Around 450 years later, Captain Hughes was ordered to blow up the castle, which had been a royalist stronghold and was one of the last to fall in the Civil War.
The reason for its stubborn resistance was Mary Bankes. In the absence of her husband, she held the castle through two sieges, taking to the battlements with her daughter and maids, until one of the garrison betrayed them.
So impressed were the Roundheads with her courage that they gave the heavily slighted (deliberately damaged) castle back to her.
Useful information
Visit The National Trust for opening times and prices. For free entry, become a member or you can buy day tickets at Corfe Castle.
Where to stay near Corfe Castle?
Sleep at the reassuringly ancient Bankes Arms (bankesarmshotel.co.uk) in Corfe Castle village – ask for a room with a view of the castle.
Trips and guided tours of Corfe Castle
Poole: Old Harry Rocks and Corfe Castle Guided E-bike Tour
A fun way to explore these attractions on a five hour trip. Check availability and book now at Get your Guide.
4×4 Land Rover Safari Across Purbeck Hills and Jurassic Coast
This guided tour promises off-road adventures as you explore the sites. Check availability and book now at Viator.
Jurassic Spectacular
Enjoy a full day visiting 10 locations around Dorset, starting from Weymouth and ending in West Bay. Check availability and book now at TripAdvisor.
Looking for more inspirational Days Out?
Check out our expert guides and features about Dorset, including best walks in Dorset, Enid Blyton’s Dorset and The National Trust’s Kingston Lacy.