Visit Corfe Castle for history and nostalgia

No visit to the Isle of Purbeck would be complete without seeing the picturesque village of Corfe Castle, situated half way between the towns of Wareham and Swanage.

Corfe Castle village is overlooked by the outstanding ruins of its Castle of the same name, perched on a hill between the grassy slopes of the Purbeck Ridge.

The village is easily accessible by public transport and has a Swanage Railway Station. Being one of the most popular locations to visit in this corner of Dorset, we recommend using public transport or parking at Purbeck Park. You can then catch the train into the village or it is a 20 minutes pleasant walk. Bikes can also be hired at Purbeck Park from Cyclexperience.

You'll notice that many of the houses in the village are built of the same stone, making it one of Dorset's most scenic and photographed villages. When the castle was partly destroyed in 1646, lots of the stone and masonry was then used to build the surrounding village!

Things to see and do

For many years, the famous children's author Enid Blyton holidayed in the area, and some of the local places and people feature in her books. Corfe Castle was the inspiration for Kirrin Castle in the Famous Five. Enid Blyton visited the ruin in 1941, arriving by steam train from Swanage.

You may like to imagine yourself as one of the Famous Five arriving at Corfe Castle Railway Station - now run by Swanage Railway.

There are lots of other things to see and do in Corfe Castle, including visiting the Model Village, Swanage Railway Museum, Dorset Adventure Park and more.

Where to stay in Corfe Castle

Whether you are looking for a cute cottage, homely farmhouse B&B or a grand manor house to call home for the night, you'll find it all in Corfe Castle.

There are a number of hotels and self-catering cottages available right in the village itself, or nearby in the surrounding countryside are a range of B&Bs, farmhouses and self-catering lodges.

Don't delay, book somewhere to stay today!

Eating out

There are a number of fantastic, traditional pubs in Corfe Castle, as well tearooms, cafes and restaurants. In fact, for such a small village, there is a surprisingly large number of places to eat and drink.

You can sit outside with views of the Castle or see the Swanage Railway steam trains as they make their way down to the Victorian seaside resort at Swanage. Or opt for cosy and warm inside, where in winter, log fires will be lit to keep the cold at bay.

Corfe Castle shopping

Walking around the quaint village of Corfe Castle is a delight. There are some lovely unique and interesting shops to look around and buy something special as a reminder of your visit to Dorset. 

So whether you are looking for a gorgeous piece of jewellery, an amazing painting or sculpture, or perhaps some local food and drink, take a wander around the cottage lined streets to find your perfect purchase.

Don’t miss

Want to see how Saxons and Vikings fought, or watch re-enactments from the Civil war? Corfe Castle has regular historical events during weekends and school holidays, from falconry to the Normans. With its dramatic backdrop, Corfe Castle is a great place to see outdoor performances during summer evenings. Over the Christmas holidays the Castle is lit with braziers and shines like a beacon for miles around – not to be missed!

There are also lots of other events taking place in or around Corfe Castle village including steam railway galas, fossil hunts and seashore rambles.

Also and nearby...

The nearby village and coastline of Kimmeridge is definitely worth a visit. Kimmeridge Bay is one of the best places for rockpooling in Dorset, and during the summer there is a snorkelling trail to follow. Discover the Etches Collection - Museum of Jurassic Marine Life and the amazing fossils of marine creatures which lived here over 150 million years ago.

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DiscoverCorfe Castle

Things to See and Do

Visit the Castle, Model Village, Swanage Railway or stop for something to eat and drink.

Places to Stay

Choose from manor houses, farmsteads, stone-built cottages, homely B&Bs and traditional country pubs.

Eating Out and Takeaways

From traditional country pubs and tea rooms to restaurants, cafes and even manor houses, you are spoilt for choice.

Shopping

Corfe Castle village may only be small, but there are some lovely individual and unique shops to browse.

Events

Corfe Castle village has a huge range of events throughout the whole year.

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Romantic Breaks

With dreamy scenery and rustic rural retreats, Dorset is the ideal place for a romantic break.

Walking

There are plenty of fabulous countryside and coastal walks for you to enjoy.