This was the view from the top. A weekday visit to Corfe Castle meant that it was quiet but not deserted, which was just right, we felt. If we'd been any later in the week there would have been re-enactments, and re-enactments mean busy! They were already setting up camp in the fields nearby. Inside, they did have a small area where a trebuchet was shown off and woodworking was in progress. We read all the information boards diligently. But really, I was there for the views! Destroyed in the English Civil War but dating back as far as the 11th Century, Corfe Castle still has many complete walls, with window spaces that still frame the surrounding Dorset countryside beautifully. Our daughter did the Castle Quest activity trail with questions and brass rubbings to complete and earned a wristband for her trouble. She also made a lavender bag and fired a model trebuchet, under the guidance of some National Trust volunteers.
The title of this blog post, like the previous one, is that of an Enid Blyton novel. Blyton knew this area well - it is quite likely that Corfe Castle was the inspiration for the castle in this book and others, including Kirrin Castle from Five on a Treasure Island.
The village proved worth spending time in, with an excellent courtyard cafe which is part of Corfe Castle Model Village, although we didn't go into their shop or the model village itself. The food was fantastic though. We needed to walk it all off, but first stopped off in the tiny (but free) Corfe Castle Town Trust museum - which is also the Smallest Town Hall in England at only 350 square feet. Needless to say, it didn't take long to look around!
The title of this blog post, like the previous one, is that of an Enid Blyton novel. Blyton knew this area well - it is quite likely that Corfe Castle was the inspiration for the castle in this book and others, including Kirrin Castle from Five on a Treasure Island.
The village proved worth spending time in, with an excellent courtyard cafe which is part of Corfe Castle Model Village, although we didn't go into their shop or the model village itself. The food was fantastic though. We needed to walk it all off, but first stopped off in the tiny (but free) Corfe Castle Town Trust museum - which is also the Smallest Town Hall in England at only 350 square feet. Needless to say, it didn't take long to look around!