Corfe Castle in a sea of mist
photo by Tom Burn

Corfe Castle is located on the Isle of Purbeck—a peninsula jutting out into the English Channel and bordered by Poole Harbor to the north. It dates back to over 1,000 years when it was built by William the Conqueror in the eleventh century. The stone relics of this magnificent castle have been witness to battles, bloodshed and betrayal, along with military and royal intrigues, and everyday life. Its position on a hilltop not only commands breathtaking panoramic views, it naturally fortified it against would-be attackers during its heyday. It was not until the seventeenth century during the English Civil War that Corfe Castle was finally captured in a siege, and subsequently destroyed on orders of Parliament.

The rough and crumbling splendor of the ruins
photo by Tom Burn

Although the castle is but a shadow of its former glory, visitors can explore the spectacular ruins today and get a feel of its past grandeur.  Roam by the curtained wall with its toppling towers, peek through arrow loops that were used by archers to defend the castle in the Middle Ages, admire what’s left of the formidable Keep whose vacant windows stare like unblinking eyes over the landscape, picnic on the serene castle grounds, and discover the beauty and tranquility of the surrounding countryside, coast, and its wildlife.

View of Corfe Castle from the outer bailey
photo by Tom Burn

Throughout the year, events like battle reenactments, medieval archery demonstrations, and outdoor theatre productions bring history alive. There are castle quests (like scavenger hunts) for children, and plenty of medieval costumes for kids to try on and explore, including gowns, helmets, shields and swords.

Partial view of the expansive castle grounds and the village beyond
photo by Tom Burn

The ruins of Corfe Castle overlook a delightfully quaint village by the same name, where guests can peruse shops, enjoy tea, coffee and delicious meals, visit the historic parish church, and stay at one of the charming inns or cottages, some of which afford lovely views of the castle. Visitors can see what the castle looked like before its destruction in the year 1646, by touring the Corfe Model Village in the village square. This model is built to a scale of 1/20 the size of the original castle and village, and makes for a fascinating visit. Visitors can also roam by the coast where chiseled cliffs plunge dramatically into the sea. The coast is part of the Jurassic Coast–a World Heritage Site–that features stunning landforms and fossils which have been the subject of international study.

Although Corfe Castle was destroyed centuries ago, the dignity of its ruins remains steadfast in the hearts of those who have the privilege of visiting this spectacular historic site. Even the sea of mist from which the castle rises is like a royal carpet spreading over the land below the rough and crumbling splendor of its majesty.

For a spectacular time-lapse view of Corfe Castle in the mist by photographer Tom Burn visit Corfe Castle Mist Timelapse

For more stunning photographs by Tom Burn visit www.tomburnphotography.co.uk