Corfe Castle isn’t the most complete castle you’ll find on the British Isles. But these romantic ruins, standing proudly on a steep mound in the Dorset Countryside, are surely among the country’s most enchanting.
In this blog I explore Corfe Castle’s bloody and winding history and delve into some of its most interesting facts and stories. At the end I provide information on what you need to know to visit.
A brief history of Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle was founded not long after the 1066 Norman conquest of England, following the Battle of Hastings. It was one of many built during this period, as William the Conquerer sought to assert his rule over his new dominion.
For several centuries, it was one of the most important and impregnable fortresses on the south coast. Throughout the 12th and 13th centuries it was modified, with its defences strengthened, especially by King Henry I and King John.
In the 16th century, Corfe Castle’s days as a royal fortress came to an end when it was sold by Queen Elizabeth I. But its role in British history wasn’t done yet. During the English Civil War, the castle became an important Royalist stronghold, in a part of the country almost entirely controlled by the Parliamentarians. By the Victorian era, with the arrival of the railway and Swanage becoming a popular seaside resort, it was a popular tourist attraction.
By the 1800s, with Swanage becoming a popular seaside resort and a steam train linking it to the rest.of the country, it became a popular tourist destination. It has remained so ever since. In the 1980s it was given to the National Trust, who manage it to this day, and are currently carrying out a multi year multi million renovation project.
Interesting facts about Corfe Castle
Here are some of the most interesting things to know about Corfe Castle…
The site of a Saxon murder plot
Although Corfe Castle’s history didn’t truly begin until after the Norman conquest, the site’s story – a steep hill in a strategic bit of coastline – goes back further. During the Middle Ages, there was a Saxon fort here, thought to be the royal home of Aelfthryth.
Aelfthryth was stepmother to King Edward – but she wanted her own son, Aethelred, to become king. And so, when King Edward was visiting her at the site of Corfe Castle, she arranged his murder. He would forever be known as King Edward the Martyr.
Aelfthryth’s son, Ethelred, became King. She wouldn’t be too happy with his legacy, though. 1,000 years later, he’s known as Ethelred the Unready, because of his perceived inability to rule.
A castle for the Conqueror
As we’ve already mentioned, Corfe Castle was founded by William the Conqueror after the Norman conquest of England. It was a key part of a network of fortifications he built across the country, developed to cement his rule.
Most of these castles were built out of wood – we know that Corfe Castle was especially important to the conqueror because he used stone. It was one of the first stone Norman castles in England, while others (such as York and Cardiff) were initially built with wood, and only upgraded to stone later.
One of the last royalist strongholds in the South West
During the English Civil War, Corfe Castle was owned by Sir John Bankes, loyal to the King. But after just a year of war, almost all of Dorset was under parliamentarian control.
Sir John was fighting with the King elsewhere, but his wife and children stayed behind, and led a defence of the castle in the name of the royalists. As the war went on, and the parliamentarians gained more ground, it became one of the few remaining Royal strongholds in the entire south of England.
It was ruined on purpose after the civil war
Corfe Castle’s most distinctive feature is its ruined state. It looks post-apocalyptic. It looks as though it developed this look over a long period of time, centuries of being battered by the elements and armies alike. But it was actually given this look on purpose.
After the civil war, the victorious parliamentarians demolished many castles in order to prevent royalists from being able to set up strongholds in them in the future. Because of the strength of its fortifications, it took months to destroy Corfe Castle. Eventually, they used enough gunpower to leave it in ruins – the castle we see today.
An inspiration for artists
A romantic ruin, standing tall on a hill, visible for miles around. Since it was destroyed after the Civil War, Corfe Castle has become an inspiration for artists and writers. Most iconic, perhaps, is JMW Turner, who painted the castle on numerous occasions. It’s also thought to be the inspiration for Enid Blyton’s Kirrin Island.
A guide to visiting Corfe Castle
Is Corfe Castle worth visiting?
Without a doubt, Corfe Castle is worth visiting as part of any trip to Dorset or the South West of England. For anyone with a love for history it’s a must, for its long and important role throughout different eras. And because of its ruined state and romantic location, it’s a breathtaking sight.
How to get to Corfe Castle without a car?
Corfe Castle is in Pembroke Island, a peninsula in Dorset, close to Poole. The closest mainline train station is Wareham, which is two and a half hours direct from London Waterloo (book tickets here).
From Wareham, or if you’re staying in nearby Swanage, it’s a short bus to Corfe Castle. You’ll need to take the Purbeck Breezer 40, which runs from Swanage to Poole, via Wareham and Corfe Castle. The timetable can be found here.
The best way to get to Corfe Castle, though, is using the old steam train, which runs from Swanage to Wareham. It’s quite an expensive way to get there, but well worth it to experience the old train, to hear that iconic toot toot, and travel there the way those Victorian tourists would have. Book tickets here.
Things to do near Corfe Castle
The castle is on the edge of a charming village of the same name. There’s not a lot to do there, but it’s a quaint, gorgeous little place, with a few nice shops and cafes, as well as a model village and a small museum. It’s also home to the popular and historic Greyhound Inn pub.
From Corfe you can easily get to Swanage, either by taking the steam train or (the cheaper option) the bus, which takes about 20 minutes and leaves every hour. There are plenty of things to do in Swanage – as well as some interesting architecture!
You can see opening times and prices to visit Corfe Castle on its website.
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