Corfe Castle is a fortification standing above the village of the same name on the Isle of Purbeck peninsula in the English county of Dorset. Built by William the Conqueror, the castle dates to the 11th century and commands a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage. The first phase was one of the earliest castles in England to be built at least partly using stone when the majority were built with earth and timber. Corfe Castle underwent major structural changes in the 12th and 13th centuries.
Ruins of Corfe Castle from the outer bailey
Corfe's keep (left) dates from the early 12th century.
The south-west gatehouse, which allowed access from the outer bailey to the west bailey, dates from the mid 13th century.
Lady Mary Bankes defended the castle during two sieges in the English Civil War.
Corfe Castle is a village and civil parish in the English county of Dorset. It is the site of a ruined castle of the same name. The village and castle stand over a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage. The village lies in the gap below the castle and is around four miles (6.4 km) south-east of Wareham, and four miles (6.4 km) north-northwest of Swanage. Both the main A351 road from Lytchett Minster to Swanage and the Swanage Railway thread their way through the gap and the village.
Corfe Castle
The village, as seen from the castle
Corfe Castle Town Hall
The railway line, showing the gap the line must thread between Castle (left) and East (right) hills.
