Corfe Castle in Dorset

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Corfe Castle

The ruins of Corfe Castle sit high up on the hillside in the picturesque village of Corfe. Its elevated position in the Purbeck Hills allows for commanding views over the Dorset countryside. The castle was originally built by William the Conquerer and has played an important role in local history. It is thought to be one of the first castles to be built in England.

A thousand years of history

The dramatic medieval ruins are a popular attraction for visitors to the area and are now managed by the National Trust. You can explore the site at your own pace using an audio guide to find out more about this magnificent sites chequered past. Discover over a thousand years of history as you search the ruins for shields as part of the ‘Corfe Castle Quest’ – a trail which you can complete as a family to receive a prize.

Children will love stepping back in time and dressing up in knights costumes. During the school holidays there is a varied events programme, offering fun and engaging activities for all ages. These include the the teddy bears zip wire, Medieval Knight Academy, falconry and bat walks.

There is a gift shop in the village square where you can purchase a memento to commemorate your visit. There is also small tea room, which serve up a range of tasty treats including a traditional Doset Cream Tea. On a summers day you can sit in the garden outside and enjoy far reaching views across the countryside. In the winter a roaring fire creates a homely feel.

Getting to Corfe Castle

Corfe is situated in between the towns of Wareham and Swanage and easily accessible by car. There is ample parking in the National Trust pay and display car park just a short walk from the castle. For an alternate method of transport why not take a steam train from Swanage to the small station in Corfe!

Where to find Corfe Castle

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* Place data from Google, including opening times is correct at time of publication. We always recommend checking with the destination attraction.

Corfe Castle features in 1 of our itineraries...

A Historical Day In The Purbecks

Places to visit include Tyneham, Worbarrow Bay, Corfe Castle, Swanage Railway, among others

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