Corfe Castle

Civil Parish in Dorset Purbeck

England

Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle is a civil parish located in the county of Dorset, England. Situated in the Purbeck district, it covers an area of approximately 8 square miles and is home to a population of around 1,500 residents. The parish is centered around the historic Corfe Castle, which stands on a steep hill overlooking the village.

Corfe Castle is renowned for its rich history, with evidence of human settlement in the area dating back to the Bronze Age. The imposing ruins of the castle, which was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, dominate the landscape and attract thousands of visitors each year. The castle was a royal residence until it was partially destroyed during the English Civil War in the 17th century.

The village of Corfe Castle itself is a charming and picturesque place, with quaint cottages, traditional pubs, and local shops. It offers a range of amenities, including a primary school, a village hall, and a post office. The parish also boasts a strong sense of community, with various events and activities organized throughout the year.

Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, Corfe Castle is set within the idyllic countryside of the Isle of Purbeck. The area offers ample opportunities for outdoor pursuits, including walking, cycling, and wildlife spotting. Additionally, the famous Jurassic Coast is just a short drive away, providing access to breathtaking coastal scenery and fossil-rich beaches.

In summary, Corfe Castle is a historic and picturesque civil parish in Dorset, renowned for its ancient castle, charming village, and beautiful countryside.

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Corfe Castle Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.644705/-2.038326 or Grid Reference SY9782. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Vineyard Farm Cottage from the Castle, Corfe Castle

Grade II Listed late 17th or early 18th century farmhouse. The house has an attached 19th century stable and rear extension. The National Trust cottage takes its name from the castle’s vineyard, which was located in field nearby. It is currently (2021) available as a holiday let.

Jo and Steve Turner

17 and 19 West Street, Corfe Castle

Grade II Listed pair of cottages. Probably one house of 17th century origin. 19 strangely has a chimney stack over the door and entrance hall that may account for the diminutive front door.

Jo and Steve Turner

50 and 50A West Street, Corfe Castle

Grade II Listed early 18th century pair of cottages originally one house with 50A as an outbuilding. Extensively modernised about 1985.

Jo and Steve Turner

Furzeman's House, 51 West Street, Corfe Castle

Grade II* Listed late medieval open-hall house modified with chimneys and upper floors around 1600. It was previously known as Old Cottage.

Jo and Steve Turner

West Street

West Street passing The Old Bakery

Shaun Ferguson

Path heading into Centre of Village

Path heading into centre of village with Corfe Castle in the distance

Shaun Ferguson

Corfe Castle Station

Corfe Castle Station with the castle in the distance

Shaun Ferguson

Bridleway on New Mills Heath

In between the road and the gate there is a narrow bridle path which does not appear to be used much but leads to New Line Farm

Nigel Mykura

Corfe Castle Station - summer Saturday train

A steam train arriving at Corfe Castle on the preserved Swanage Railway. Locomotive No. 30053 is a class M7 0-4-4T of the LSWR and designed by Dugald Drummond. This example was built in 1905 and withdrawn in 1964. In addition to smaller Victorian locomotives, like the M7, the Swanage also has a magnificent air-smoothed Bulleid pacific (spam-can) in the form of Manston.

Chris Allen

Museum at Corfe Castle Station

On the preserved Swanage Railway. The main exhibit in this building is a narrow gauge locomotive by the Birmingham firm of Belliss & Seekings that was once on display in the Birmingham Museum of Science and Industry.

Chris Allen

Drummond M7 waiting to depart Corfe Castle Station

Locomotive No. 30053 is a class M7 0-4-4T of the LSWR and designed by Dugald Drummond. This example was built in 1905 and withdrawn in 1964. In addition to smaller Victorian locomotives, like the M7, the Swanage also has a magnificent air-smoothed Bulleid pacific (spam-can) in the form of Manston.

Chris Allen

Footplate crew at Corfe Castle Station

The driver and fireman of No. 30053 ready to depart from Corf Castle on the preserved Swanage Railway. Locomotive No. 30053 is a class M7 0-4-4T of the LSWR and designed by Dugald Drummond. This example was built in 1905 and withdrawn in 1964. In addition to smaller Victorian locomotives, like the M7, the Swanage also has a magnificent air-smoothed Bulleid pacific (spam-can) in the form of Manston.

Chris Allen

Locomotive Secundus in the museum at Corfe Castle Station

On the preserved Swanage Railway. This is the last surviving locomotive built in Birmingham and is on loan from Birmingham Museums Trust. It was built by Belliss & Seekings as an 0-6-0 well tank in 1874 and sold to Pike Brothers to work the Purbeck clay lines. Rebuilt in 1880 by Lewins of Poole and given a new boiler by Peckett of Bristol in 1937. Retired in 1955 and displayed at the original Birmingham Museum of science and Industry in Newhall Street.

Chris Allen

Swanage Railway - Corfe Castle Station

On the preserved railway on the Isle of Purbeck.

Chris Allen

Train arriving at Corfe Castle Station

Seen from Corfe Castle with a degree of zoom. The locomotive is T9 No. 30120. No. 30120 is the only surviving member of the 66 strong T9 class of 4-4-0 engines designed for the LSWR by Dugald Drummond and built from 1899-1901. This is part of the National Collection and has had a peripatetic existence in preservation. It is currently (2016) based at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway but was obviously on its summer holidays in Swanage. 2021 update: - The locomotive has again been at Swanage since 2017 but was withdrawn from service in July 2020 after failing its steam test. It is currently stored but is due to have a boiler lift to assess whether it can be returned to steam due to corrosion of the cylinder block. It would be a shame if this venerable locomotive was to become a static exhibit but all good things come to an end or require major changes to the historic material.

Chris Allen

T9 No. 30120 departing Corfe Castle Station

On the preserved Swanage Railway and seen from a high point in Corfe Castle. No. 30120 is the only surviving member of the 66 strong T9 class of 4-4-0 engines designed for the LSWR by Dugald Drummond and built from 1899-1901. This is part of the National Collection and has had a peripatetic existence in preservation. It is currently (2016) based at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway but was obviously on its summer holidays in Swanage. 2021 update: - The locomotive has again been at Swanage since 2017 but was withdrawn from service in July 2020 after failing its steam test. It is currently stored but is due to have a boiler lift to assess whether it can be returned to steam due to corrosion of the cylinder block. It would be a shame if this venerable locomotive was to become a static exhibit but all good things come to an end or require major changes to the historic material.

Chris Allen

East Street, Corfe Castle c.1960

An abundance of 'H' and 'X' television aerials on the houses, vintage vehicles, and no yellow lines are all clues to the date of this photo of what is otherwise a timeless view of this picturesque Dorset village. The absence of the hordes of tourists who descend here in the summer is perhaps yet another indicator. The Greyhound Hotel in the Square at the far end is still there today, although no longer a Strong's house as it was in the 1960s. The iconic Hampshire brewery Strong & Co. of Romsey was bought out by Whitbread in 1969, and its successor The Hampshire Brewery entered Receivership in 2008, and eventually ceased trading. In Colin Smith's view of 1983 the Greyhound has the name of Whitbread displayed, replacing that of the former Strong's. Link

Ronald Searle