Home > Attractions > Dorset > Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle, Dorset

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

A popular village south of Wareham, Corfe Castle is named for the dramatic stone fortress that rises above the village. Burial mounds in the area show that Corfe Castle was settled as early as 6000 BCE. There was certainly a Roman presence here, but Corfe really rose in status under Alfred the Great, when that king built a castle here to deter Danish invaders.

The castle saw a terrible deed in 978 AD, when Queen AElfrida of Mercia murdered her stepson Edward to put her own son, AEthelred (the Unready) on the throne. A Norman castle replaced the wooden Saxon stronghold in the late 11th century, and throughout the medieval period Corfe was a royal castle.

The castle was destroyed by Parliament after the Civil War. But if you want to see what it would have like in its heyday, you're in luck - Corfe Castle Model Village has created a 1/20th scale model of the village and castle showing what it would have looked like during the Middle Ages.

The parish church of St Edward stands across from the castle, reputedly on the site of the cottage where the body of Edward the Martyr was taken following his murder. The church tower dates to the 13th century, but much of the remainder is a Victorian restoration. Taken as a whole, Corfe Castle is a very satisfying place to visit, replete with historic interest.
Corfe Castle, Dorset, England

About Corfe Castle
Attraction Type: Village
Location map
OS SY 9590 8229

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information

Nearest Attractions Corfe Castle - 0.2 miles (Castle) Brownsea Island - 5.6 miles (Garden) Lulworth Castle - 6.4 miles (Historic House) Lulworth Heritage Centre - 6.6 miles (Museum) Compton Acres - 7.4 miles (Garden) Tank Museum - 8.9 miles (Museum) Clouds Hill - 10 miles (Historic Property) Deans Court - 11.3 miles (Garden)

Nearest Towns and Villages Worth Matravers - 3 miles away Wareham - 3.9 miles away Studland - 4.7 miles away Swanage - 4.8 miles away Poole - 6.4 miles away Wool - 7.1 miles away Lulworth - 8.3 miles away Bournemouth - 9.3 miles away

Nearest Accommodation to Corfe Castle

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Westcott - 0.4 miles from Corfe Castle Corfe Castle, Dorset Sleeps: 7 Stay from: £525

Heatherlands - 1.7 miles from Corfe Castle Corfe Castle, Dorset Sleeps: 7 Stay from: £425

The Studio - 3.1 miles from Corfe Castle Worth Matravers, Dorset Sleeps: 2 Stay from: £290

More Self Catering near Corfe Castle

Nearest Hotels

Bankes Arms Hotel - 0.1 miles from Corfe Castle Wareham, Dorset Stay from: £50.00

Mortons House Hotel - 0.3 miles from Corfe Castle Wareham, Dorset Stay from: £149.00

The Purbeck Vineyard - 1.8 miles from Corfe Castle Corfe Castle, Dorset Stay from: £110.00

More Hotels near Corfe Castle

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

Bankes Arms Hotel - 0.2 miles from Corfe Castle Wareham, Dorset From: £50.00

Westaway B&B - 0.4 miles from Corfe Castle Corfe Castle, Dorset From: £60.00

Rivendell Guest House - 4.7 miles from Corfe Castle Swanage, Dorset From: £37.50

More bed and breakfasts near Corfe Castle

Wareham
Tourist Information Centre
Trinity Church
South Street
Wareham
Dorset
England
BH20 4LU
Tel: 01929 552 740
Fax: 01929 554 491
Email: tic@purbeck-dc.gov.uk
Web: http://www.purbeck-dc.gov.uk
Map