Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Uncover the secrets of Dorset's iconic medieval castle. A favourite haunt for adults and children alike, you can't fail to be captivated by these romantic castle ruins with breathtaking views.Castle - Discover 1000 years of the castle's history as a royal palace and fortress. With fallen walls and secret places, there are tales of treachery and treason around every corner. Spot the 'murder holes' and count the arrow loops. Feel history come to life and see the wildlife which has set up home in these facinating castle ruins.Shop - In the village square, our shop offers a range of products from pocket money treats to luxury locally made gifts.Tea Rooms - Indulge in a homemade Dorset cream tea in our delightful 18th centry tea rooms. Enjoy the summer garden with unrivalled castle views or the glowing open log fire in winter.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- Debs100225 contributionsStunning Corfe CastleWow … I was amazed at the beauty of this castle! It really is breathtaking and steeped in history. Excellent customer service from National Trust, especially Keith who was amazing and helped me with my disability needs! I have trouble walking but you can borrow a wheelchair! I will definitely come back to this magical place! Worth a visit if y you like history and walking.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 12 October 2023
- IweinvanaalstLille, Belgium610 contributionsBattered but still imposingIn 1066 William I erected a hall and a stone wall enclosing an inner ward at Corfe. Henry I added a mighty keep around 1105. King John built a palace (“gloriette”) in the inner ward and protected the west bailey and the outer ward with curtain walls an towers. Henry III and Edward I rebuilt the gatehouses and ordered the construction of three new towers in the outer bailey. During the Civil War Corfe castle was held by royalists led by Lady Mary Bankes. The stronghold was taken by parliament by treachery in 1646 and subsequently slighted. * I encourage visitors to have a good look at the scale model of the fortress in the building next to the car park before walking up to the castle entrance. I also recommend purchasing the excellent guidebook in order to fully appreciate the monument. Corfe castle looks very battered : The towers of the curtain wall lean at curious angles. Half the south west gatehouse slid down the slope due to sapping. The Butavant tower partially collapsed. The keep is gutted, only two sides still standing to almost full height. Its internal division can no longer be distinguished. The once splendid gloriette is equally in ruins and difficult to read. No towers or curtain walls can be scaled. Nevertheless the visitor still gets a good sense of the scale, layout and sophistication of this formerly impregnable stronghold and is swept away by the views of the surrounding area from atop its crumbling walls.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 October 2023
- Chrissie21 contributionsLovely AtmosphereCorfe Castle was lively and fun. It wad half term and teddies were abseiling down from the ruins and pumpkins were on display. All volunteers were lovely and we had a great experience. One tiny disappointment, the cafe by the car park was closed when we returned at 3pm in need of a cup of tea, but otherwise it was all to be recommended. Thank you.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 October 2023
- Amanda ALuton, United Kingdom16 contributionsLovely Views, Very Picturesque but Entrance Fee is ExpensiveWe have visited Corfe Castle over the years and decided to take our daughter there as she was young when we last went and couldn't remember it. Corfe Castle is stunning and there are lovely views from the top but we found the entrance fee somewhat overpriced. We appreicate the ticket allows you to return as many times during the day and prices are increasing but to be honest, once you've seen it, you've seen it. The activities on offer over the half term were more geared for the younger generation and it cost our family of 3 (2 adults and a 16 year old) £30 for approximately 40 mins. We will return to Corfe again but next time I think we will admire the castles beauty from the outside.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 30 October 2023
- Mrs Jane UShaftesbury, United Kingdom52 contributionsInteresting history and dog friendlyReally enjoyed our visit here. Not too much to read that you don’t bother and just enough to make our experience enjoyable. Very interesting and eventful history. Wished we’d picked a less windy day, but had a great time. Thank you.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 9 November 2023
- JaneinplymouthPlymouth, United Kingdom178 contributionsCastle CapersExcellent castle, it is a ruin but there is lots to see, it looks like a steep walk, but it meanders and is a relatively easy stroll. National Trust so free for members and well worth a visit. Great views. Maybe allow 90 minutes. Cafe outside, and several pubs!Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 November 2023
- ChrisGandTheBeanChurchdown, United Kingdom343 contributionsGreat views but not a big castleThis is a National Trust site and the car park for the castle is outside of the village at the base of the castle. If you are fit and healthy, the climb up the hill is no problem but this isn't for somebody who cannot easily walk up steep inclines. There is a car park in the village which is on the level with the castle entrance but you will still need to walk up through the castle gatehouse and keep to get into the castle. The car park is very reasonably priced but it is a significant walk into the village so drop your passengers off in the village and then park. The castle is worth the climb up and the views are impressive but this isn't a big castle so you won't need too long to see it all. Plenty of refreshments etc in the village.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 December 2023
- Lucie L1 contributionFantastic tour and story tellingI took my children (age 6 & 8) to see the Story Telling -A Rather Curious Christmas tour. John was fantastic and the children really responded to the participation and amusing stories and activities. We learned how to dance, played games and heard about all the interesting facts and tales around Corfe Castle. Highly recommend for all ages!Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 17 December 2023
- Janet HWorcester, United Kingdom608 contributionsStuinning positionStunning position with views across open countryside to die for. Refreshments available by the car park. Nice walkway round castle to entrance. Note it is very steep in places so wear suitable footwear and beware if wet. Able to take one's dog in as well. Worth climbing up as high as possible, is you are able to appreciate views across open countryside. Benches part way up so you can sit and chill.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 January 2024
- Kim SExeter, United Kingdom124 contributionsWonderful visitWe visited here recently whilst we were staying in Poole. A really wonderful place. Very picturesque and serene. Lots of lovely walks and a fantastic view from the top. Highly recommend this wonderful place!Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 January 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,073 reviews
Excellent
1,825
Very good
994
Average
189
Poor
41
Terrible
24
John G
Inverness, UK19 contributions
Mar 2020
My son and I visited Corfe Castle as an extra after visiting the Tank Museum at Bovington. The history is interesting enough and the 80ft tower is a landmark. There is not much as regards information as you go about the site and some of the panels are weather worn. I understand that upkeep of historic structures requires funding but I thought the cost of the visit was expensive. £12 per adult for around an hour and a half plus £5 for the car park. Tank museum, free parking, £14 per adult, then free returns for a year, veterans like me, free.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RevJonB
Barry, UK28 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
To visit Corfe Castle is to visit history. It is a wonderful remnant of a bygone age and has a story to tell. However there’s not a whole lot of the castle left and teenage boys don’t enjoy ruins (castles or their parents) that much 😂. £25 for a family ticket to walk around the crumbled remains feels a bit steep (not as steep as the climb to the top of the castle mound though).
Maybe take wooden swords, dress as knights and immerse yourself in childhood dreams to get the most out of this place.
Maybe take wooden swords, dress as knights and immerse yourself in childhood dreams to get the most out of this place.
Written 17 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S Smith
Highworth, UK41 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
Visited Corfe Castle while on a short break in Dorset. We are National Trust members so entry was free although we had to book our arrival slot the day before the planned visit. Parking is great.
On arrival to the castle we were asked to show our membership cards and gave our names, there were other families in the cue that had later time slots thank us but was still allowed entry.
The castle grounds were clean and tidy. There was no one way system in place to keep social distancing although in one part of the castle there is a one way system to follow as this involves stairs. On our visit everyone was abiding by the distancing rules. The visit took us about and hour and bit to get around. Will definitely visit again.
On arrival to the castle we were asked to show our membership cards and gave our names, there were other families in the cue that had later time slots thank us but was still allowed entry.
The castle grounds were clean and tidy. There was no one way system in place to keep social distancing although in one part of the castle there is a one way system to follow as this involves stairs. On our visit everyone was abiding by the distancing rules. The visit took us about and hour and bit to get around. Will definitely visit again.
Written 18 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keefnjojo
Plymouth, UK2,329 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
If you are in the area this Castle is a must visit. It only costs £10 each for adults or free to National Trust Members and although it's a climb to get up to the top the views are spectacular. You can easily spend a couple of hours just looking around and listening to the history of the audio posts.
The entrance is located in a quaint little village with lots of little shops, cafes and pubs and lovely cottages to look at.
You can get here by steam train but we chose to park at the National Trust car park and take the little walk around the base of the castle to get there.
The entrance is located in a quaint little village with lots of little shops, cafes and pubs and lovely cottages to look at.
You can get here by steam train but we chose to park at the National Trust car park and take the little walk around the base of the castle to get there.
Written 11 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mcl27
Bristol, UK120 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Great place to come with stunning views all round.
Free as we are national trust members - and gave us something to do for a few hours with young children.
Cafe was open but we took own picnic and sat at bottom of hill once we’d looked round.
Be advised that it is a long walk up to castle so if you book in time slots make sure you allow plenty of time - we got stuck in car park waiting for 20 minutes for a space - extremely busy. Thus meaning we were late for our slot, then a long walk to castle itself. We were allowed in and there were people in front who were over an hour late for their slot.
Free as we are national trust members - and gave us something to do for a few hours with young children.
Cafe was open but we took own picnic and sat at bottom of hill once we’d looked round.
Be advised that it is a long walk up to castle so if you book in time slots make sure you allow plenty of time - we got stuck in car park waiting for 20 minutes for a space - extremely busy. Thus meaning we were late for our slot, then a long walk to castle itself. We were allowed in and there were people in front who were over an hour late for their slot.
Written 21 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob H
25 contributions
Aug 2020
I got the steam train from Swanage to Corfe which I would recommend and spent about one hour looking around the castle. The information boards were informative and had just about enough detail. The site has amazing views and the social distancing measures nessecitated by Covid were managed well. Only shortcoming was the extremely limited menu at the cafe so went into the village to get lunch instead.
Written 21 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AIB
23 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
I'm perplexed at this place. They really don't encourage tourism. It cost us £42 today for 2 adults and 2 dogs return from Corfe to Swanage on the train. So even the most uncomplicated way to visit is costly. It cost us £10 to park in Corfe Castle car park for 6 hours. Its a good 8 minute walk from the car park to the village. The few spaces in the village are an hour limit and this is till 8pm at night. So a lone woman wanting a meal in the village at say 6pm (and spending more than an hour) would end up walking back to the car park in pitch black if visiting after the nights draw in as there is no street lighting whatsoever. I understand it is a pretty village and they want to preserve the quaintness but businesses must suffer and its downright dangerous to have a single car park with no lighting. It smacks of greed to make charges so high for what is effectively rough ground and to make no provision for safety in the evenings. I would rate it as user unfriendly. Which is probably what they want.
Written 13 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Englandreviewer1111
England19 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
My family and I visited Corfe castle. It was such a wonderful experience. The castle itself is in ruins but it is amazing to see a castle that was built over 1000 years ago. The audio information gives sufficient (and not too long or boring) level of information of the castle’s history. There are activities, like archery, drawing, etc, which keeps the children entertained.
The area around Corfe castle is very quaint, with little shops, restaurants, pubs, etc.
We were staying nearby and walked up to it through the meadows and a little stream, which the kids loved playing in. The hike was steepish, but an average 4-5 year-old could definitely do it.
It’s definitely worth a visit, especially on a day when it’s not beach weather.
The area around Corfe castle is very quaint, with little shops, restaurants, pubs, etc.
We were staying nearby and walked up to it through the meadows and a little stream, which the kids loved playing in. The hike was steepish, but an average 4-5 year-old could definitely do it.
It’s definitely worth a visit, especially on a day when it’s not beach weather.
Written 24 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alison G
York, England, United Kingdom950 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
This was just beautiful! It was one of the main reasons I wanted to visit this area. We drove past it on our way to our accommodation in Swanage and I was very excited having booked tickets for the following morning. We are NT members so no additional charge. We had opening time tickets at 10am and having read the reviews arrived a little early for the walk round, which took about 15 minutes. Easy to park at that time, car park full by lunchtime in half term though. The walk was lovely, by a river round the bottom of the castle, and gave a sense of anticipation as we approached. Really friendly staff at the gate, explained everything to us and pointed out kids activities. We thoroughly enjoyed a scramble around the ruins with airy views over the Isle of Purbeck to Poole Harbour. Nice and quiet as we were first up. Quite a lot of people heading up as we headed down again. Some good info boards near the entrance. The visit took about an hour, perfect timing for a coffee and cake in the tearoom just outside then a quick nosey round the village and a walk onto a small hill next to the castle with fabulous views, see pictures.
Written 26 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Merrowmum
Guildford, UK1,388 contributions
Jul 2021
Quite possibly the best ruins I have seen in the UK, and definitely the largest - the castle must have been stupendous in its long ago heyday as it is still fascinating and oddly attractive now. Its interesting and quite poignant history and the stunning views of the surrounding countryside add to the appeal. Small pockets of shade made walking around on a roasting day bearable; you definitely need sensible footwear and it’s not an accessible site on the whole. Post “Freedom Day” you no longer need to pre-book a slot to visit and it’s easy to stay away from others; being ruins you are almost exclusively completely outdoors anyway and no part of the structure is fully walled in.
The staff member on the gate was delighted to show us artists’ reproductions of the complete castle when we happened to mention wondering what it had looked like, so do ask!
The staff member on the gate was delighted to show us artists’ reproductions of the complete castle when we happened to mention wondering what it had looked like, so do ask!
Written 21 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How difficult is the walk from the station to the Castle for anyone with mobility issues?
Written 27 March 2023
It depends what kind of mobility issues the person has. There’s a small incline from the station to the main road. It is however, level and smooth. Up to the castle is another, steeper incline, with a cobble like surface. I’d say to get into and around the castle itself with mobility issues would be a “no go” However, the place itself is beautiful and there is lots to do around the village with beautiful views of the castle that are more mobility friendly.
Written 6 April 2023
How much time should you allow to visit this site? Asking as a solo traveller, thank you.
Written 3 October 2021
If a lovely day you can spend quite some time there as there is quite a lot of walking and views all around. A picnic is a great idea and there are outside cafe garden. The town centre is very interesting and we went on the steam railway to Swanage So we fitted a lot into our day but just doing the castle grounds could just been a couple of hours. Don't go in bad weather as it would not be the same
Written 4 October 2021
Please help! I have a fear of heights so whilst I am used to this holding me back from exploring the upper levels of historic ruins, are there any high exposed walkways into the castle? One of the photos I’ve seen looks as though there could be? All advice gratefully received, thanks!
Written 21 August 2021
There are a couple but as I recall most of the castle can be appreciated without any fear inducing heights and it's not necessary to do the bits that are too high either.
Written 4 October 2021
Sarah Smith
Bearsted, United Kingdom
Can you walk around and visit the castle grounds easily with a pushchair?
Written 2 May 2021
As I recall there is a reasonable bit that could be done with a buggy but this might involve a bit of "off Roading" in a couple of areas as the ruins are uneven and there are a few steps in places so go with someone to help lift. If you need it to be totally flat then I'd probably give this one a miss.
Written 4 October 2021
How long will it take me to walk from Corfe Railway Station (after getting steam train from Swanage) to Corfe Castle please? I am reasonably fit and walk briskly. Thanks.
Written 24 October 2020
Gostaria de saber sobre o público antigo que existe ao pé do castelo. Já estive aí e me disseram, à época, que seria o mais antigo pub da Inglaterra. Isso se confirma?
Written 5 August 2019
What is the best way to get to Corfe Castle from London?
Written 3 April 2019
If you are not driving then train from london to Bournemouth/Poole. Wareham is probably your best stop from there you should be able to get a bus or taxi.
If you are looking for cheaper ways of travel National Express coaches run several services a day from london Victoria to Bournemouth/Poole.
Having said all that, there is so much to see & do in The Purbecks that I would recommend a weekend break at the very least. You would be able to get around by bus. Swanage is not far away & a good location to get a B&B.
Written 3 April 2019
Are dogs still allowed in 2017?
Written 29 July 2017
According to their web page dogs are allowed on a short lead. Hope this helps - you will efinately enjoy your visit. Best regards Old Bill
Written 30 July 2017
Good morning Rosie-Petle
In answer to your question, I would say not, unless you are well wrapped up. Although the paths are good there are steps and stairs that may be slippery in wet weather.
The castle is generally exposed so offers little shelter and besides you would benefit from good weather to take in the views from the top.
Hope this helps, enjoy your day in whatever you decide to do.
Regards
Simon B
Written 27 March 2016
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