Corfe Castle

Located in the village of Corfe, in Dorset, Corfe Castle was built on the Isle of Purbeck as it guards the only natural route through the Purbeck. The name Corfe comes from the old English word meaning cutting or gap.

The castle as we know it today was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th Century, however previously a wooden castle stood in the same place. The current stone castle once built was used as a royal fortress and was used as this for six hundred years.
By 1572 the castle was sold by Queen Elizabeth I by Sir Christopher Hatton. In 1635 the castle was brought by Sir John Bankes and used as an occasional private residence.
The Bankes family were involved in a long siege lasting six weeks in 1643 during the reign of Charles I. Sir John Bankes died in 1644 and the Bankes family were again involved in another seige which allowed a Parliamentary force into the castle. The Bankes family had to leave the castle and it was later destroyed, resulting in the castle we know and see today, however less of the castle stands nowadays due to weathering.
The castle is now owned by the National Trust and the castle regularly holds living history days to enable visitors to see what the castle could have been like in the Norman and Medieval times.

It’s a beautiful place to visit and walk around. There is not much left of the castle ruins now, however it’s worth a visit while they still stand. The views from the top over the Isle of Purbeck is amazing on a clear day and there are several walks that link the castle to Swanage and other parts of our beautiful county.

Car Park – National Trust car park or Corfe Castle Village car park
Price – Adult £11, Child £5.50, Family £27.50, National Trust Members FREE
Opening times – Monday to Sunday 10am to 6pm
Address – The Square, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5EZ
Facilities / Access – Toilets in Visitors Centre, Car Park, Pushchairs admitted, Tea-Room, Shop, Dogs welcome on leads