Corfe Castle

Approximately 20 minutes’ drive (8.4 miles) from The Sandbanks Ferry Shell Bay Terminal

The village of Corfe Castle is situated 5 miles out of Swanage, Dorset and is overlooked by the dramatic ruins of its castle of the same name, perched on the Purbeck Ridge.

Corfe Castle is owned by the National Trust and is protected as a Grade I Listed building, dating back to the 11th century.

The castle has a 1,000-year history as a royal palace and fortress and is thought to be one of the first in England to be built partly using stone, rather than earth and timber.

Children’s author, Enid Blyton holidayed in the area for several years and used Corfe Castle as inspiration for Kirrin Castle in her renowned book series, The Famous Five.

The castle is open to the public daily, excluding Christmas, and offers regular historical events and outdoor performances throughout weekends and school holidays.

Corfe Castle village is one of Dorset’s most scenic and photographed villages, with many buildings built from the same stone and masonry as its castle.

The village is packed with places to eat, from traditional pubs like The Greyhound Inn and The Bankes Arms (offering hearty meals and views) to historic inns like The Fox Inn, plus delightful tea rooms and even award-winning dining at nearby Mortons Manor Hotel, catering to all tastes with local food, BBQ, and traditional fare.