Pictures of Corfe Castle

a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset

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About Corfe Castle

Standing in lofty splendour above the chimney pots of the village with the roaring ocean lapping the cliffs to the other side of a rocky outcrop, the romantic ruins of medieval Corfe Castle, cast a dramatic shadow from every approach. There is evidence of habitation in the area in the days of pre-history but Corfe really came to prominence when the great castle was begun at the time of William the Conqueror.

The castle has a stirring history, and although for nearly all of the medieval period it was a Royal residence, it was tainted by dark and secretive deeds. King Edward II was imprisoned here and strangely, King John kept his crown jewels at Corfe. When the throne passed to Henry VII he gave the castle to his mother, however when Henry VIII succeeded, he claimed the castle for himself. Henry's daughter Queen Elizabeth I, sold Corfe to Sir Christopher Hatton, a favourite courtier and Chancellor. He fortified it as part of England's defences against the Spanish Armada.

Corfe Castle was eventually sold by the Hatton family, and at the time of the Civil War it was owned by the powerful Bankes family. Sir John Bankes was Lord Chief Justice to Charles I. Again mischief was afoot, Lady Bankes stood alone and in spite of holding the castle through the sieges of 1643 and 1645, she was finally brought down by the treachery of Colonel Pitman, one of her own officers.

The castle was left in ruins by the Parliamentarian forces, and although it continued in the ownership of the Bankes family it remained derelict throughout the centuries until it was gifted by the Bankes's to the National Trust in 1982.

Below the castle, the village of Corfe shows picturesque stone houses of the 17th-century. At the Corfe Castle Model Village you can see a perfect replica of the once mighty fortress. It's former splendour is vividly portrayed and like the magnificent hilltop ruin, cannot fail to impress all who see it.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle	(0.1 miles, 0.1 km)	Pictures
Isle of Purbeck	(1.8 miles, 2.9 km, direction NE)	Pictures
The Blue Pool	(2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Grange Arch	(2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction W)	Pictures
Winspit	(2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction S)	Pictures
St. Aldhelm's Head & Chapel	(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction S)	Pictures
Arne RSPB Reserve	(4.1 miles, 6.7 km, direction N)	Pictures
Studland Beach & Nature Reserve	(4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction E)	Pictures
Durlston Country Park	(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Anvil Point Lighthouse	(5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Brownsea Island	(5.6 miles, 9.1 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Lulworth Castle	(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction W)	Pictures
Upton House & Country Park	(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction N)	Pictures
Compton Acres Gardens	(7.4 miles, 12.0 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre	(8.2 miles, 13.1 km, direction NW)	Pictures

All attractions in Corfe Castle
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Recommended towns near Corfe Castle

Furzebrook, in the county of Dorset (1.8 miles, 2.9 km, direction NW)
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Worth Matravers, in the county of Dorset (2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction S)
Picturesque Dorset village with a history pre-dating Roman times as evidenced by the medieval lynchets cut into the steep hillsides.
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Kimmeridge, in the county of Dorset (2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction SW)
A popular place for surfers and diving enthusiasts, Kimmeridge is a small town along the Purbeck Coast in Dorset.
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Langton Matravers, in the county of Dorset (3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction SE)
This is an interesting old village with access to one of the loveliest stretches of the Dorset coast.
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Swanage, in the county of Dorset (4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction SE)
The town is wedged between towering downs that result in lofty cliffs at both ends of the bay, from these high vantage points there are spectacular views across the sea.
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Studland, in the county of Dorset (4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction E)
Beyond the woods, heaths and downs of Dorset lies a fascinating coastline with a hinterland of precious little villages, such a village is Studland which sits close to the wide sweep of picturesque Studland Bay, which belongs to the National Trust.
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Sandbanks, in the county of Dorset (5.9 miles, 9.4 km, direction NE)
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Poole, in the county of Dorset (6.4 miles, 10.4 km, direction NE)
Three miles of golden beaches extending from Sandbanks to Brankesome Dene Chine and on towards Bournemouth, ensure an enjoyable time for families and sun-worshippers alike.
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West Lulworth, in the county of Dorset (8.4 miles, 13.6 km, direction W)
One of the most visited geological areas of Britain, Lulworth Cove has recently been placed into the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline.
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Bournemouth, in the county of Dorset (9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction NE)
Seven miles of glorious golden sands, fringed by the bluest of seas lapping the shore, make Bournemouth a firm favourite for family holidays.
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Sturminster Marshall, a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset (11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction N)
Sturminster Marshall is famous for its beautiful White Corn Mill and for the magnificent eight arched bridge spanning the River Stour.
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Briantspuddle, a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset (11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction NW)
This remarkable village owes much to the agricultural experiment carried out by Sir Ernest Debenham during the years between the two World Wars.
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Wimborne Minster, a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset (11.7 miles, 18.9 km, direction N)
Wimborne Minster is a magnificent Georgian town in the valley of the delightful River Stour.
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Stapehill, in the county of Dorset (12.9 miles, 20.8 km, direction NE)
Stapehill, in the beautiful Dorset countryside is best known for its romantic Abbey gardens which are an absolute joy for every visitor including gardening enthusiasts.
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Southbourne, in the county of Dorset (13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction NE)
Southbourne is a sedate coastal resort lying close to the mouth of the River Stour, just a few minutes drive from its more famous...
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Nearby travel help

Wareham Station	(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction NW)
Holton Heath Station	(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction N)
Bournemouth Airport	(14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction NE)
M27 Junction 1	(28.3 miles, 45.6 km, direction NE)
M27 Junction 2	(31.5 miles, 50.7 km, direction NE)
Southampton Airport	(37.7 miles, 60.7 km, direction NE)
Corfe Castle to London	(103.4 miles, 166.4 km, direction NE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Corfe Castle

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Corfe Castle center
Louisa Lodge & Purbeck House Hotel	(4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction SE)
Purbeck House Hotel & Louisa Lodge	(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction SE)
The Haven	(5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction NE)
The Best Western Mansion House	(6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction NE)
The Antelope	(6.1 miles, 9.7 km, direction NE)
Thistle Poole	(6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction NE)
Express By Holiday Inn Poole	(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction NE)
Arndale Court Hotel	(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction NE)
Salterns Harbourside Hotel	(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction NE)
Sandbanks Hotel	(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction NE)
All hotels in Corfe Castle