Corfe Castle, Wareham, near Swanage
Dorset
England
Historic County: DorsetshireCirca Date: 11th century w/12th, 13th, 14th, 16th & 17th century alterations and additions
Status: Ruin
House Open to Public: Yes
Country House: No (Other)
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
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