Corfe Castle is a ruin, but what a ruin! Soaring above Corfe village, the early Norman castle is an unforgettable sight. Corfe Castle was built in the reign of William the Conqueror to control passage through the Purbeck Hills via a road between Swanage and Wareham. Building first began in the 1080's and over the centuries several kings contributed to its development, adding a large keep, defensive ditches and curtain walls around the inner and outer baileys.

The castle came under attack on at least four occasions, most notably during the Civil Wars when in 1643, Lady Bankes successfully led a defence of the castle against Parliamentary forces. In 1646 a second siege was brought to an end by an act of treachery that allowed Parliamentary troops disguised as Royalist reinforcements to enter the castle. The slighting that Parliament ordered be carried out at Corfe was far more severe than at most other castles, with the walls and buildings extensively demolished.

To learn more: http://www.corfe-castle.co.uk/

How to get there?

Take bus 142/143 (Wilts & Dorset) from Poole. Click here for time table.