CORFE CASTLE, Purbeck, Dorset
- Quick Links
- An Introduction to Corfe Castle
- Things to See & Do
- Shops & Amenities
- More About Corfe
- Directions From: Adventure Centre
About Corfe Castle
If you like your history, you will love Corfe Castle. There is evidence of civilisation from nearly all the periods in British history if not in the village and castle ruins themselves then in the immediate surrounding area. The Southern edge of the village for example, features serveral barrows (burial mounds) possibly dating from as early as 6000BC! Further evidence can be found to trace the progress of Celtic, Roman, Viking/Saxon, Norman, and Medieval settlements and the impact that they had on the village and the now ruined, but fascinating castle which originally dates from the 9th century.The village today is delightful and picturesque with most buildings showing beautiful examples of the Purbeck stone quarried from the surrounding countryside.
Things To See & Do
Corfe Castle Ruins
The castle ruins dominate the local landscape and attract thousands of tourists year after year. It is believed that the castle was originally a Roman defensive site guarding and providing the only access point to the South Purbecks. However, the castle we see today are the ruins or a 9th century wooden build, rebuilt in Purbeck stone in the 11th century. The castle, once the property of the Bankes family is now owned by the National Trust.Admission is charged at £5.60 per adult, £2.80 per child, £14 for family admission (2 adults) , £8.40 for family admission (1 adult). Paying visitors arriving by public transport are offered a reduction on production of a valid bus or train ticket and discounts can be obtained for signing a Gift Aid form. Opening Times are 10.00am to 5.00pm in February and March, 10.00am to 6.00pm April through to June, 10.00am to 5.00pm in October and 10.00am to 4.00pm from November to Januray inclusive.
Model Village
Located in the village square at the heart of the village, the model village offers a taste of what the castle and village would have looked like before it was destroyed by Cromwell's men in 1646. In addition to the models there are a number of other family activities and things to do.The model village is open from April to October, Saturdays through to Thursdays from 10.00am to 5.00pm. It is open on Fridays only during school holidays.
Shops & Amenities
Corfe Castle Village has all the shops, restaurants, hotels and amenities that you would expect of a large countryside village.There is a Link cash machine at the village post office. There are tea rooms, gift shops, a sweet shop, a jewellers, a public house, restaurants and hotels.
Originally built in 1959, The Bankes Arms Hotel provides a beautiful setting for a stay in the heart of Corfe Castle village and has it's own A la Carte restaurant specialising in fresh fish, game and traditional English dishes.
More About Corfe Castle
Select one of the articles from the list below to learn more about Corfe Castle in Purbeck, Dorset and the immediate surrounding area.
How To Get There
From the Poole & Dorset Adventure Centre, turn left onto Renscombe Road and follow the road for a short distance and you will enter the village of Worth Matravers. Follow the one way system through the village going past the church and then the post office on your left with the duck pond on your right. At the bottom turn left. After approx. 100 yards the road will fork. Take the left fork and continue along this road until you reach a T-junction with the B3069. Turn left onto the B3069.
Continue to follow the B3069 signposted for Corfe Castle, until you reach the T-junction with the A351. Turn left onto the A351 and drive into Corfe Castle village.
