The medieval Corfe Castle stands on a natural steeply sided hill in a gap in a long line of chalk hills, guarding the principal route through the Purbeck Hills. The name Corfe derives from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘ceorfan‘, meaning ‘a cutting’, referring to the gap.
It was thought to have been a defensive site even in Roman times and Corfe Castle certainly has had a colourful history. While the oldest surviving structure on the site of the castle dates from the 11th century, burial mounds suggest the area was occupied as far back as 6000 BC and there is evidence of a Celtic field system worked by pre-Roman tribes.
There are various walking paths surrounding the castle with various walking difficulties. The recommended starting point for any hike or a stroll will be from the car park (East St, Corfe Castle, Wareham BH20 5DR).
I have produced a video that captures the magnificent medieval marvel and its surroundings, and have uploaded it to YouTube for everyone to enjoy. View it in HD (1080p) if possible. Enjoy!
