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Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle is one of Britain's most majestic ruins. The castle controlled the gateway through the Purbeck Hills and has been an important stronghold since the time of William the Conqueror.
Defended during the Civil War by the prudent and virtuous Lady Bankes, the castle fell to treachery from within, and was substantially destroyed afterwards by the Parliamentarians.

Many fine Norman and early English features remain Corfe Castle has had a long and eventful history. Positioned strategically in the gap between the Purbeck hills, it was perfect for defending inland Dorset against attack from the sea. The surrounding agricultural lands and forests were rich, and could be used to provide food and resources for the Castle. Not surprisingly, therefore, Corfe Castle was a royal fortress for over 600 years.

Though the Castle now lies in ruins, many of its defences can still be seen today. The Castle's first line of defence, the Outer Gatehouse, now welcomes visitors, not enemies. Take a walk and look up from the South-west Gatehouse and you will see murderholes, where defending soldiers would have poured rocks on their enemies.
Corfe Castle has offered sanctuary to people from many walks of life during its history.
Discover kings to ravens, ladies to peasants and more among the castle ruins.
Corfe always had ravens around, many believed that something terrible would happen if the ravens left the castle. According to the local legend, that is exactly what happened in 1638. In 1643, during the Civil War, Corfe was besieged by Cromwell's men, and three years after the Castle was all but destroyed. Whether the ravens knew of the troubled future of the Castle, we cannot say, but nowadays they are back to look over the castle although it is crumbling.