Listed Building record MDO16751 - Corfe Castle, The Square, Corfe Castle

Ruins of a former medieval to post medieval royal castle, built on a natural hilltop in a gap in the main Purbeck range. Commissioned by William the Conqueror, the castle dates back to the 11th century, undergoing several phases of major structural changes in the 12th and 13th centuries. By 1645 it was one of the last remaining royalist strongholds in southern England. This site is visible on modern aerial photographs.

Corfe Castle, of strategic and military importance was built on a large natural mound overlooking the gap in the Purbeck Hills. (2) rchme

The foundations of a possible pre-Conquest building were revealed during excavations in the west bailey, 1950-52, and possibly represent either a 'hospitium' belonging to Shaftesbury Abbey or a royal residence associated with King Edward, who was murdered at 'Corfegeat' in 978 AD. (3) penn. The earliest visible features of the castle, however, comprise late 11th century fragments of a hall in the west bailey and the wall surrounding the inner ward. The ashlar-built keep is dated to circa 1105 AD and the 'Gloriette' is an early 13th century courtyard mansion with 15th century addition, which was built to supplement or replace accomodation in the keep.

The enciente (outer bailey) retains a defensive system of walls and mural towers mainly of the early and late 13th century. During the Civil War the castle was besieged and slighted. Plan (2). rchme

(For full descriptive account of the castle remains and earthworks see RCHM). (3)

A brief account of the castle (4) and concise architectural report (5).

Corfe Castle. Ruins of former royal castle, built on a natural hilltop in a gap in the main Purbeck range. Late C11 origin - possibly on an earlier pre-Conquest site, altered and enlarged in C12, C13 and C14. The Keep refurbished as a house in mid-C16 and the whole structure slighted and largely demolished after the Civil War. The fortified enclosure roughly triangular in plan. The curtain walls survive in part, with the bases of semi-circular towers. Surviving walls part ashlar, part rough ashlar, part rubble. Outer Gatehouse, at south end, approached by a 4-arch stone bridge over the now dry moat. Gatehouse consists of a segmental archway flanked by bases of 2 circular towers, linked to curtain wall. Inner, south-west Gatehouse, south of the surviving structures, consists of 2 circular towers flanking a pointed segmental archway. On the left, this has dropped several feet following undermining after the Civil Wr. At north-west of the site, the remains of the Old Hall, late C11. Lower walls of this survive, with some herringbone masonry and part blocked round arched openings. At west end, remains of the Butavant Tower, early C13. Near the centre, the Keep, C12, square on plan, originally 3-storeyed - an extra storey inserted in C13. Altered in mid-C16 by Sir Christopher Hatton, - remains of Tudor windows and fireplaces survive. North of the Keep, large blocks of fallen masonry. West of the Keep, the Gloriette, a C13 first-floor hall house, with Hall and Solar over an originally vaulted undercroft. Several lancet windows survive, with deep roll mouldings. In spite of much destruction, still an impressive structure, dominating the village. A National Trust property. - Grade I (6,7)

Listed by Cathcart King. (8)

Additional reference. (9)

Corfe was a major royal castle, not necessarily for its strategic value, but more for its convenience as a stronghold for the safe custody of political prisoners, important hostages and royal treasure. Detailed account of the history of the castle as a royal stronghold. (10)

There is a bastion-like structure salient from the south front of the shell wall. (11)






Ruins of a former medieval to post medieval royal castle, built on a natural hilltop in a gap in the main Purbeck range. Commissioned by William the Conqueror, the castle dates back to the 11th century. It lies in a position of great strategic importance and tactical strength, dominating Corfe Castle village to the south and commanding the great expanse of heathland which stretches north to Poole Harbour.

The castle walls are built of Purbeck stone ashlar and rubble, generally with flint in the core. The first phase was one of the earliest castles in England to be built using stone, constructed at a time when the majority were built of earth and timber. Corfe Castle several phases of major structural changes in the 12th and 13th centuries. By 1645 it was one of the last remaining royalist strongholds in southern England, when it fell to a siege by Parliamentarian forces and was demolished that same year.

The site is now owned by the National Trust and is open to the public. It is protected as a Grade I Listed Building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. (1-2)

The ruins of the castle are visible on recent aerial photographs and were digitally plotted during the Wild Purbeck Mapping Project (3).

National Record of the Historic Environment, 456826 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Bellamy, P, 2018, Corfe Castle, Dorset. Archaeological Observations and Recording during Formation of Beacon Bases and Other Minor Works (Unpublished document). SDO16441.

<1> English Heritage, 1970, An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Dorset, Volume 2: South East (Digital archive). SDO13658.

<2> Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org, > Accessed 2014 (Digital archive). SDO13659.

<3> Pan Government Agreement, 2008, PGA (Aerial Photograph). SDO13137.

Record last edited

Sep 5 2024 5:06PM