Things to do inCorfe Castle

Corfe Castle and most of the buildings in the village that bears its name are built with the local Purbeck stone, which is perhaps why the village sits so comfortably in its position amongst the Purbeck hills.

Building of Corfe Castle began in 1086 and it later became one of England’s greatest strongholds until it was destroyed in 1646. Now owned by the National Trust, the castle was the inspiration behind author Enid Blyton's Kirrin Castle in her Famous Five books, as the author enjoyed many happy holidays in the Purbeck area.

This quaint village has just a few shops but each one is individual and stocked with an eclectic range of collectibles, jewellery and gift ideas. Relax over a tasty snack, meal or cream tea at one of the village tearooms, restaurants or inns.

While you are in Corfe visit the Model Village, which shows how Corfe looked before the castle’s destruction. 

Parking on the village streets is limited but there are two pay and display car parks. An alternative way to get to Corfe is by catching a steam train ride with Swanage Railway from the park and ride facility at Norden, just off the A351 Wareham to Corfe Castle Road; this then allows you to get off at Corfe Castle with the option to travel on to Swanage later if you wish. 

Set in 35 acres and situated less than two miles from Corfe, is the Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre. It’s free to visit and is home to cats, horses, donkeys, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks and many more species.