Corfe Castle - National Trust

Corfe Castle - National Trust
The Square
Corfe Castle
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 5EZ
England

Website

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle

E-mail

corfecastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

Telephone

General Enquiries

01929 481294

Learning

01929 480609

Fax

01929 477067

All information is drawn or provided by the venues themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
baby changing facilities icon Food icon Shop icon Visual disability facilities icon Wheelchair access icon

Thousand-year-old castle, rising above the Isle of Purbeck.

One of Britain’s most majestic ruins, the castle controlled the gateway through the Purbeck Hills and has been an important stronghold since the time of William the Conqueror. Defended during the Civil War by the ardent and virtuous Lady Bankes, the castle fell to treachery from within, and was substantially destroyed afterwards by the Parliamentarians. Many fine Norman and Early English features remain.

Venue Type:

Museum, Castle or defences

 Opening hours

See website

Closed 25, 26 Dec. High winds may cause closure of parts of grounds.

 Admission charges

£4.70, child £2.30, family £11.50 (2 adults & 3 children), family £6.90 (1 adult & 3 children). Groups £4.10, child £2. Paying visitors arriving by public transport offered a reduction on production of a valid bus or train ticket. Discounted Corfe Castle/Swanage Steam Railway joint tickets available from Swanage Steam Railway (tel. 01929 425800 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              01929 425800      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              01929 425800      end_of_the_skype_highlighting)

Discounts

  • National Trust

Additional info

General access: Only Castle’s outer Bailey through main gatehouse accessible for wheelchair users, but bumpy; remainder of ruin presents a steep and uneven climb, with step.
Parking: Visitors with impaired mobility may be set down near Castle. Badge holders may find parking space close by, in village. West Street car park most suitable (pay and display, not NT). Ramped access to NT shop in village square. New interactive Visitor Centre at Castle View (NT car park with 3 designated places) is accessible to wheelchair users. Castle 500m (10-15 min. walk). Footpath suitable for wheelchair users, but steeply inclined at Castle end
Shop: Accessible shop and exhibition centre with interactive displays
Refreshments: Tea-rooms accessible
Lavatories: Adapted WC at Castle entrance and Castle View Visitor Centre (radar lock; keys at ticket office and visitor centre)
Large-print guide. Many items and surfaces can be enjoyed by touch.

Collection details

Archaeology, Archives, Costume and Textiles, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Land Transport, Music, Social History

Exhibition details are listed below, you may need to scroll down to see them all.

Art in the Castle

  • 5 October 2013 — 14 February 2014 *on now

In association with Purbeck Art Weeks there will be a series of art installations around the castle grounds.

Admission

Normal admission charges apply.
Events details are listed below. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all. For events that don't have a specific date see the 'Resources' tab above.

Winter Solstice

  • 21 December 2013 7:15-9am

Experience the rare opportunity to watch the sun rise on the shortest day of the year from the castle ruins. Castle opens 7.15am - 9am. Cost £10 to include a voucher for a hot drink and a breakfast bap in the Tea Rooms, which will be open from 8am.

Admission

All £10.00

Christmas at Corfe Castle

  • 21 December 2013 — 5 January 2014

The village of Corfe Castle is a magical place at Christmas. Take in the festive atmosphere, enjoy the log fire in our tea rooms, and browse for gifts in our shop.

Admission

Normal admission charges apply.

Winter Solstice

  • 21 December 2013 7:15-9am

Experience the rare opportunity to watch the sun rise on the shortest day of the year from the castle ruins. Castle opens 7.15am - 9am. Cost £10 to include a voucher for a hot drink and a breakfast bap in the Tea Rooms, which will be open from 8am.

Admission

Castle entranceAll tickets: £10
Booking Essential.
Weather can influence the start time of this event!.
Ffi contact: Corfe Castle, 01929 481294, corfecastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Website

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/whats-on/find-an-event/?uuid=de83d0e2-3839-4b46-8b51-7b830ad09a50

Walk: Saxon Springs

  • 6 January 2014 10:30am-12:30pm

Saxon farmsteads snuggle along the south side of the chalk ridge, the names giving us a clue to their origin. We cross East Common pausing to explore what might be an old pack horse bridge.

Admission

Adult £3.00 £3.00 walk only £10.00 walk & lunch at the NT tea room

Walk: Kings's Farm to Castle

  • 3 February 2014 10:30am-12:45pm

Walk the ancint footpaths trodden by generations of farmers and fishermen from the coast to Corfe Castle and ebjoy lunch at the NationalTrust tea room. On our return we pass a 19th century cast iron water wheel that was used for milling animal feed.

Admission

All £3.00 £3.00 walk only £10.00 walk & lunch at the NT tea room

Valentine's Day at Corfe Castle

  • 14 February 2014 10am-4pm

Explore the romantic ruins of Corfe Castle on Valentine's Day then enjoy a delicious Valentine's Tea in our tea rooms.

Admission

Normal admission charges apply.

Half Term at Corfe Castle

  • 15 — 23 February 2014

Teddy Zip Wire Challenge: Back for half term by popular demand, bring along your own brave teddy to have a go at the fearsome zip wire challenge.

Admission

Normal admission charges apply.

Easter Egg Trail

  • 18 — 21 April 2014

It will be fun for the whole family as you take part in an Easter Egg Trail around Corfe Castle. Supported by Cadbury.

Admission

All £1.00 per person

Village May Fair

  • 26 May 2014 10am-5pm

Stalls, plants, raffle and bric-a-brac to raise money for village causes.

Admission

Normal admission charges apply.
Resources listed here may include websites, bookable tours and workshops, books, loan boxes and more. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all.

Living in a Castle

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-corfecastle/

Castle tours offer a great way to bring the ruins to life - an expert guide can place the ancient structure into its geographical and historical context.
The study room's imaginative hands-on activities - from early medieval costumes to examining archaeological finds - provide excellent preparation for, or follow-up to, a castle tour. The study room is best suited to Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils, but other ages can be catered for.
Guided walks looking at Corfe Castle village as a rural settlement, or at Corfe Common, are also available.

How to obtain

All education activities require pre-booking. Current charges are £1.80 (+VAT) per student per activity (guided walk, study room session). Call 01929 480609 or email corfecastle@nationaltrust.org.uk for more information.

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