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CORFE CASTLE - 23/11/13

Located in Dorset, Corfe Castle can be found around 4.5 miles to the south east of Wareham, on the Isle of Purbeck. It is a National Trust property, open throughout the year apart from Christmas.

There is thought to have been a defensive settlement where Corfe Castle is located dating back to Roman Times, once built in wood, it was rebuilt in stone in the 11th Century by William the Conqueror, one of the first stone built castles in England.
The castle played an important part in the English Civil War from 1642 to 1651, firstly in the hands of the Royalists, but was partially demolished in March of 1646 on Parliament's orders, after a successful siege.
In 1982 Ralph Bankes bequeathed the Bankes Estate, which included Corfe Castle and much of the village of Corfe to the National Trust. It was then closed to the public in 2006, because of its dangerous state, before a conservation project took place and it was reopened to the public in 2008. There is also one of the popular National Trust Tea Rooms at the site, well worth a visit after exploring the Castle.
The Castle is though to be the inspiration for Kirren Castle in Enid Blytons Famous Five books, and whilst the dramatic ruins dominate the landscape, the village is well worth investigating as well. There is a model village to see, as well as a station on the popular Swanage Steam Railway. For more information on the railway click here.