Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle
Grade I listed Corfe Castle at Wareham in Dorset is the ruins of a former royal castle, surrounded by a village of the same name. It is one of the most picturesque castles in England and has been described as “the loveliest castle in the land”.
The original structure was built by William the Conqueror, but it has been extensively added to over the centuries. The castle was besieged several times during the civil war between King Stephen and Empress Matilda, and later Between King John and rebellious barons. It finally fell to Parliamentarian troops after a three-month siege in 1646.
Today, Corfe Castle is managed by the National Trust and is open to visitors throughout the year. The village of Corfe Castle is a popular tourist destination in its own right, with many cafes, shops and pubs. There are also several walking and cycling trails in the area.
Created: 20 October 2022 Edited: 29 November 2023
Corfe Castle Details
Corfe Castle is a 62 metre high hill in Dorset.
Corfe Castle LiDAR Map
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Local History around Corfe Castle
There are some historic monuments around including:
Bowl barrow on Stoborough Heath 700m south of Icen HouseBowl barrow on Emmett's HillHeavy Anti-aircraft battery on Arne HillBowl barrow on Stonehill Down, 250m south of East Creech FarmBowl barrow on Arne Hill 200m south of Arne Dairy HouseGroup of three bowl barrows on West Hill, 650m NNE of The Glebe HouseBowl barrow on St Aldhelm's Head, 470m north east of St Aldhelm's ChapelThe Icen Barrow on Creech Heath, forming part of the Creech Heath round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow on Brenscombe Heath, 470m west of Burnbrake CottageBowl barrow on Creech Heath 720m ESE of Dodson's Farm, forming part of the Creech Heath round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 850m WNW of Peaked Close House: part of a dispersed round barrow cemetery on Corfe CommonRempstone Stone CircleBell barrow on Grange Heath, 600m north of The Drinking Barrow, forming part of the Grange Heath round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 500m north east of Afflington FarmBowl barrow on Knowle Hill, 660m north east of St Peter's ChurchBowl barrow on North Hill, 400m north east of Renscombe FarmPart of the defences of the Anglo-Saxon fortified centre of Wareham and part of the motte and bailey castle with shell keepThe Harp StoneThree Lords' Barrow, 450m south east of Doreys FarmBowl barrow 1120m WNW of Peaked Close House: part of a dispersed round barrow cemetery on Corfe CommonEarly Christian enclosure on St Aldhelm's HeadBowl barrow at the eastern end of Stonehill Down, 270m SSW of East Creech FarmBowl barrow on Knowle Hill, 630m north east of St Peter's ChurchTwo bowl barrows on Great Ovens Hill, 650m and 570m NNW of Sandford BridgeGroup of three bowl barrows on Creech Heath 650m ESE of Dodson's Farm, forming part of the Creech Heath round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 40m south east of The Drinking Barrow, forming part of the Grange Heath round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow 500m north east of The Drinking Barrow, forming part of the Grange Heath round barrow cemeteryThe Drinking Barrow, forming part of the Grange Heath round barrow cemeteryBowl barrow in Bartlett's FirsHilltop enclosure and a pillow mound on Knowle HillBell barrow on Stoborough Heath 380m NNE of Hill ViewRound barrow cemetery and earlier long barrow on Ailwood DownThe King's Barrow 230m east of Bartlett's FirsThe Rings: a ringwork and bailey and a Civil War battery 400m south west of Corfe Castle'Three Barrows': Group of three round barrows on the southern edge of Middlebere Heath, 240m NNE of Halfway InnTwo bowl barrows 350m and 410m south of Afflington BarnAlum works, other multi-period industrial remains and an associated group of jetties and breakwaters, Kimmeridge BayBowl barrow 900m WNW of Peaked Close House: part of a dispersed round barrow cemetery on Corfe CommonThree bowl barrows in Holme Lane Plantation, 200m south west of Squirrel's CottagesBowl barrow on Stoborough Heath 80m north west of Hill ViewBowl barrow 200m south east of East OrchardThe northern of two bowl barrows on Holme MountKingston Down Romano-British farmGroup of medieval strip lynchets at East and West ManFour bowl barrows 70m east of Seven Barrows FarmCross dyke on Knowle Hill, 470m SSE of East Creech FarmBowl barrow 760m south west of Afflington BarnBowl barrow on Swyre HeadFour bowl barrows 150m north east of Seven Barrows FarmBowl barrow on Stoborough Heath 240m NNE of Hill ViewLinear earthwork on Wareham Common, 350m north west and 420m north east of Little FarmGroup of six pillow mounds 470m north west of Barnston FarmPillow mound 145m south east of Eastington FarmIron Age settlement and associated field system on Smedmore HillBowl barrow 470m WNW of Peaked Close House: part of a dispersed round barrow cemetery on Corfe CommonBowl barrow on Creech Barrow hillSt Martin's ChurchThe southern of two bowl barrows on Holme MountBowl barrow and cross dyke on Knowle Hill, 500m NNE of St Peter's ChurchBowl barrow 930m WNW of Peaked Close House: part of a dispersed round barrow cemetery on Corfe CommonRoman site N of Brenscombe FarmBowl barrow on Arne Hill 270m south west of Arne Dairy HouseCorfe Castle: a large enclosure castle, and 18th century Vineyard BridgeMedieval settlement at AfflingtonCross dyke on Knowle Hill, 430m south of East Creech FarmGroup of four bowl barrows 250m WNW of Peaked Close House: part of a dispersed round barrow cemetery on Corfe CommonBowl barrow 650m WNW of Peaked Close House: part of a dispersed round barrow cemetery on Corfe CommonRomano-British villa 560m north east of East Creech FarmOval barrow at the western end of Stonehill Down, 800m south west of East Creech Farm.
