Corfe Castle has stood in Dorset for a millennium. The ruins stand as a reminder as to what we can be built and what can stand the test the time. A National Trust property it rises above the surrounding area. A traditional Mott and Bailey from the Norman Conquest. Although it’s height is surprising, and you begin to wonder how it has stood for song, when it must have been battered by the weather over the centuries. Not to mention the human bombardment by the many wars and battles fought for and around this fortress. It changed hands every few hundreds of years, really incredible stories to be told.
I could go on about the history and the stories, however i do not want to to ruin the journey through its history for you, fellow traveller. You will learn, I am a lover of history.
Corfe Castle is well signposted, free to members of the National Trust, including the parking as well. Merely scan the membership card for a parking ticket. If a non member then entry is £10.50 and £2 for 2 hours for parking. The staff at the parking information centre are really helpful, a map to show us the walk up to the castle itself and the surrounding village.
It is a short walk mainly flat, bar a small steep hill at the end. The path opens up to the entrance to the castle. The village is all old stone, extremely quaint and delicate. It is a lovely little village for lunch and a wander around the shops. There are the tea rooms, and maybe three pubs that I saw, with shops, a church, the church of King Edward the Martyr. Opposite the place where you pay, is a old sweet shop with the jars all traditional.
It is a steep walk into the Castle, and could be quite slippy in the wet. It is paved, and paved well however the nature of stone is that it can get slippy. It is paved throughout the entire ruins. There are stairs up to the ruins and throughout so that you can explore easy enough.
It is easy to explore and you can see the architecture and building materials throughout the entire ruins. Even more so in the tumbled walls and the holes where there are remnants of windows or the holes left by the erosion of time.
There seemed so much going on there, despite it being a cloudy day, they had activities for children and families. The information throughout made it easy for children to read and for adults to explain. The views are amazing and the history is not shoved down your throat a few boards posted around to help you understand the layout of the castle and how it would work back in the hey day..
Our lunch was at Bankes Hotel and Restaurant, an easy 2 course Christmas lunch. Warm room, lovely staff and delicious food. A perfect end to a fantastic morning exploring.
Helpful Haz 