An aerial view of Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle is a fortification situated in the heart of the ‘Isle of Purbeck’, Dorset standing above the village of the same name. The original castle was wooden dating back to the 9th Century and was rebuilt in 1106 with Purbeck stone.

Corfe Castle is one of England’s most majestic ruins. With a long and eventful history, the castle is strategically positioned in a gap between the Purbeck Hills – the perfect spot for defending inland Dorset from attack by sea. With a history dating back to ‘Ethelred the Unready’ the site of the Castle was a royal fortress for over 600 years. An interactive exhibition at the visitor centre details many stories of treachery and treason associated with the castle’s history. The Purbeck estate in which the castle stands covers about 8,000 acres of the Isle of Purbeck and includes extensive stretches of fascinating Dorset coastline.

The castle ruins are set on top of a steep chalk mound, surrounded by a defensive ditch. The original Outer Gatehouse welcomes visitors to this site that was once known as ‘the most secure of all English Castles’. There are magnificent views over the surrounding countryside from this picturesque and romantic ruin that has been enjoyed by tourists since Victorian times.