Corfe Castle

The Castle lies in an imposing position above the village of Corfe in Dorset.

Built by William the Conqueror in the 11th C it guards a gap in the Purbeck Hills overlooking the road between Wareham and Swanage. It was developed in the 12th and 13th C and it came to prominence in the English Civil war when the wife of Sir John Bankes, Lady Mary Bankes, led the defence of the castle against two sieges by Parliamentary forces. The Parliamentarians eventually gained control but despite attempts to destroy the castle the substantial walls refused to crumble. Over 247,000 people visit Corfe and it is a Grade 1 sheduled building.