Corfe Castle Holidays
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Self catering holiday cottages in Corfe Castle, Dorset
CORFE CASTLE
is a beautiful and historic village in the heart of the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. It takes its name from the ruined Castle. Purbeck is called an “Isle” because it has sea on three sides and a river for most of the fourth.
Edward Martyr
Bronze Age barrows on Corfe Common and the Purbeck Hills date from about 3,000 BC, and there are Roman sites close to the village.
In Saxon times there was a royal hunting lodge where the Castle now stands. In 978AD 18 year old King Edward was murdered here on the orders of his stepmother. Edward was an unpleasant young man and bad king.
Work on the Castle was started in 1080 by William the Conqueror and continued by his successors. By about 1300 this was one of the strongest fortresses and most splendid palaces in the country.
Enemies of the king were locked in the “Oubliette” and were left forgotten till they died. The King visited frequently and in his absence the Constable of the Castle governed the Isle of Purbeck.
By Tudor times the Castle was considered dank, and out of date, and Queen Elizabeth sold it in 1585. In 1635 it was bought by Sir John Bankes by which time it was again a magnificent palace. During the Civil War Sir John Bankes stayed with the King leaving his wife at Corfe.
Corfe Castle
Bankes Arms Hotel
She and a few retainers twice withstood sieges by Parliamentary forces commanded by Sir Walter Earle before the Castle was captured by treachery, and destroyed in 1646. The Bankes family continued to live near Blandford until 1980 when Mr. Ralph Bankes died leaving the Castle and the rest of his estate to the National Trust. Descendants of Sir Walter Earle still live near Wimborne.
The village now boasts two hotels, both with restaurants, three pubs, a bistro/restaurant, two tea rooms, a general store, an excellent baker, a Post Office, two jewellers (one of London’s West End quality), a National Trust Shop, a “model Village” showing the Castle before it was destroyed, and other attractions. There is a regular bus service and a steam railway link to Swanage.
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Corfe Castle Holidays
©Corfe Castle Holidays 2010
Corfe Castle Holidays, Furzemans House, West Street, Corfe Castle, Dorset, BH20 5HA. United Kingdom
UK Telephone 01929 480 050 Outside UK +44 (0)1929 480 050 Email info@CorfeCastleHolidays.com
