The ruins of Corfe Castle in Dorset weren’t only the site of many childhood adventures of mine but were also of significance within the English Civil War. Corfe Castle is now a popular destination amongst tourists and owned by the National Trust.

Corfe Castle was actually built in wood originally, then rebuilt in stone by William the Conqueror in the 11th Century. It was kept in the royal family until Queen Elizabeth I sold the castle in 1572.

Sir John Bankes bought Corfe Castle in 1635, primarily as a private residence, however circumstances changing meant that the castle’s history in defence was definitely an advantage for the residents. It was around this time that civil war had broken out in England, and the Bankes family was firmly backing the king, Sir John even joined King Charles I in battle from 1642 until his death in 1644. Despite her husband being absent, and most of Dorset being Parliamentarians, Dame Mary managed to hold off their enemies multiple times and withstand a siege using improvised defensive weapons as she had been forced to surrender those at their disposal. In the end Corfe was lost to the Roundheads because of the betrayal of Colonel Pitman, which resulted in the site being plundered and destroyed.

The castle holds a special place in my heart as it sparked my interest in sites of historical importance all those years ago. As a child I was fascinated by the ruins and the experience was made even better when I was able to acquire a “Children’s Guide” to Corfe Castle which meant that I could read the extra information while I explored and understand what had happened there. I would definitely recommend taking your children for the day if you’re in the area, it is a great place to explore and there are many activities for them to get involved in.

There is plenty to do when you visit the area, not just the ruins. There are a couple of walking routes available without your entrance ticket; one around Corfe Common, and the other is The Purbeck Ridgeway Walk, which takes you along the Swanage Railway as well. The village of Corfe, below the castle is a lovely place to explore, also, with a history just as rich as the castle itself.

In the current climate, it is important to book your tickets in advance (although, I usually advocate doing this anyway), prices are quite reasonable in my opinion, with several discounts for family bookings.

Corfe Castle is definitely a great location to visit if you’re in the vicinity. I would recommend it to everyone, not just those who love their history like me.