| Corfe Castle Gatehouse (picture by Peter Watts) |  |
Corfe Castle Gatehouse
Photographer Description of Corfe Castle Gatehouse
Panorama showing the massive ruined entrance to the keep and bailey inner area of Corfe Castle in Dorset. The picture was taken in September 2009, the ruined keep stands on top of the hill and the path stretches down the hill to Corfe Castle village.Corfe Castle Gatehouse - Further Information
Corfe Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dorset. The ruins of the castle, built in the 11th century, are managed by the National Trust, and are open to the public. Visitors ascend a path through the outer walls and outer bailey from Corfe Castle village. Lining the wall here are the remains of four towers. The path then passes under the Southwest Gatehouse shown in this picture into the West Bailey.Within the Western Bailey are the remains of an Old Hall showing Saxon 'herringbone' brickwork dating from an earlier period. The path then continues round giving access to the Keep, Inner Ward and Gloriette, where the remains of various buildings constructed by King John in the 13th century can be found. From here there are stunning views, both south and north over the Isle of Purbeck.
Corfe Castle was never taken in conflict until it was betrayed by one of the garrison members during a siege in the English Civil War in 1646. At that time the castle was owned by the Bankes family, and, led by Lady Mary Bankes, had survived a siege in 1643. However, after the betrayal in 1646, Oliver Cromwell ordered the castle slighted to prevent it being used by Royalists in the future. Much of the stonework was then plundered by locals for building material.
In the 1980's Corfe Castle, along with much of the village and Kingston Lacy manor near Wimborne Minster, was bequeathed to the National Trust by Ralph Bankes. The castle is now open to the public as a paid historic attraction and is a Grade I listed building. Corfe Castle is opens at 10.00am, closing times vary with the seasons, contact details are below. The National Trust also manage a shop and tea rooms in the village square.
Address:
Corfe Castle
The Square,
Corfe Castle, Wareham,
Dorset BH20 5EZ
Phone: 01929 481294
Travel Directions and Getting There:
Train: Steam train from [[673,Swanage]].
Road: Corfe Castle lies on the A351, 5 miles west of Swanage and 4 miles south east of [[4637,Wareham]]. Parking is very limited in the square, paid parking is available nearby.
