Corfe Castle
A thousand-year-old Norman castle ruin standing in a gap of the Purbeck Hills, one of England's most photogenic castle ruins.
Corfe Castle was built on the orders of William the Conqueror and later served as a royal stronghold. During the English Civil War, after a siege by Parliamentary forces, it was ordered blown up, leaving dramatic ruined walls. It is now managed by the National Trust, and admission is around £15. From the hill you can overlook the stone village of the same name, with steam trains passing through the scene. Below, the village has tea rooms and a model village. You can reach it by the Swanage Railway steam train, or drive and park in the car park outside the village.
Opening hours
About 10:00–17:00 (shorter in winter)
Nearby sights
- The Etches Collection
- Dancing Ledge
- Kimmeridge Bay
- Swanage Railway
- Brownsea Island
- Swanage
- Studland Bay
- Tyneham Ghost Village