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Corfe Castle
Baby Changing Cafe Disabled Facilities Interior Visit Shop Toilets
Corfe Castle was once one of Britain's most impenetrable fortresses, reaching its present state of ruin not by neglect, but by the deliberate action of Parliament in 1646 when they voted to demolish the castle with explosives.
During the Civil War, Corfe Castle - under the control of Lady Bankes, remained loyal to the King, whilst the nobles sided with Cromwell. The castle was attacked twice by heavily armed Parliamentary troops. Both attacks failed.
On the first occasion, the fighting lasted 6 weeks. Corfe was defended by only a small number of villagers, 2 of whom lost their lives, compared with the loss of 100 soldiers! The seige force then retreated.
Lord Bankes died the following year and Colonel Bingham seized the opportunity to attack Corfe Castle again. Lady Bankes successfully defended the castle during 2 months of heavy bombardment, only to be tricked by Parliamentary troops posing as Royalist reinforcements gaining access to the castle.
Enough of Corfe remains to visualise what this once defiant castle must have looked like, staring out over the Purbeck Hills. Only the Horseshoe Tower remains largely intact. Also visible are the remains of the Gatehouse, and several other towers.
The Outer Bailey is accessible to the disabled. The Visitor Centre has an interactive exhibition.
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