Welcome to Corfe Castle
Railway Station
Seasonal Opening Times in Operation
The Castle, now owned by the National Trust was built in 1086, was one of the country’s great strongholds and was defended by Lady Bankes (the wife of its owner) during the English Civil War, before being betrayed by someone inside the castle. For her heroic efforts, the parliamentarians allowed her to go free but destroyed the Castle in 1646 to stop it being used in the future.
Some of the ruined stone was used in the building of the village and the houses are built of local stone, making the village one of the most attractive in Dorset.
Along with the Castle, other family attractions in the village include Corfe Castle Model Village and Gardens and Swanage Railway and museum. There are a number of interesting shops, art galleries and a National Trust Shop. Don’t miss the tiny weeny village museum beneath what is thought to be the smallest town hall in England!
Corfe Common is found just on the edge of the village with the Purbeck Way walking route passing through it to reach Chapman’s Pool and the South West Coast Path. Alternatively follow the Purbeck Way towards Wareham or Swanage (with views over the Castle and Village from up on the Purbeck Ridge).
Places of interest in and around Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle
The National Trust's Corfe Castle, Dorset, is one of Britain's most iconic survivors of the English Civil War. A thousand-year-old royal castle shaped by warfare.
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Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum
The Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum is dedicated to the history of Purbeck Ball Clay mining, the industrial heritage of Purbeck and the Purbeck narrow gauge railways.
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Arne
Arne is situated on Poole Harbour, within the Dorset Area of Natural Beauty, and is a stunning landscape consisting of dramatic open heathland and ancient oak woodland.
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