DiCamillo Companion
England

Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle, Wareham, near Swanage

Dorset

England

Historic County: Dorsetshire

Circa Date: 11th century w/12th, 13th, 14th, 16th & 17th century alterations and additions

Status: Ruin

House Open to Public: Yes

Country House: No (Other)

crown This house has been used for TV and Film

The ruins from a circa 1895 postcard

  • House & Family History: Corfe has been an important stronghold since the time of William the Conqueror. It was a royal castle until Elizabeth I sold it to Sir Christopher Hatton, her dancing master. The castle was defended during the Civil War by the ardent and virtuous Lady Bankes, but fell to treachery from within and was substantially destroyed afterward by the Parliamentarians. Though nearby Charborough House incorporates stone and timber taken from Corfe Castle after its fall, many fine Norman and early English features remain in the castle today. Corfe came to the National Trust in 1981 as part of the 16,000-acre Kingston Lacy Estate.

  • Title: Disintegration of a Heritage: Country Houses and their Collections, 1979-1992, The
    Author: Sayer, Michael
    Year Published: 1993
    Publisher: Norfolk: Michael Russell (Publishing)
    ISBN: 0859551970
    Book Type: Hardback

  • House Listed: Grade I

    Park Listed: Not Listed

  • "Five on a Treasure Island" (1957). "A History of Britain" (2000 - TV documentary series). "Just Visiting" (2001). "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" (2008 - TV mini series, as Durbeyfield cottage exteriors).

  • Past Seat / Home of: Queen Elizabeth I, 16th century. Sir Christopher Hatton, 16th century. Bankes family, until 1981.

    Current Ownership Type: The National Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

  • House Open to Public: Yes

    Phone: 01929-481-294

    Fax: 01929-477-067

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

    Historic Houses Member: No

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