Corfe Common history walk(opens the full route on the National Trust site)
4 km distancemoderate
Dog friendly
2026 off-peak admission. Peak prices (28 March to 12 April, 2 to 4 May, 23 to 31 May, 25 July to 31 August): adult £16, child £8, family £40, one-adult family £24. No pre-booking needed except for groups of 15 or more.
Non-members pay to park.
Enter this code in JustPark to pay, or at the machine. Members park free after checking in.
Corfe Castle has stood on its chalk knoll in a gap of the Purbeck Hills for around 1,000 years, founded by William the Conqueror as a royal fortress, then partially blown up by Parliament in 1646 after the Civil War, leaving the leaning towers and tumbled walls seen today. Inside there are murder holes to spot, arrow loops to count and an audio tour following eight historical characters, while the Purbeck Ridgeway runs from the castle along the hills to the coast at Old Harry. A 2.5-mile circular history walk from the Trust's car park crosses Corfe Common, just south of the castle. Dogs on short leads are welcome throughout. Reviewers say it still feels like a proper ruin rather than a polished attraction, and rate the storytelling tours led by the castle's Keeper and the pubs and tea rooms in the village below. Tips from visitors: the car park is at the bottom of the hill and fills quickly on busy days, so come in the afternoon or use the Purbeck Park car park at Norden, and wear decent shoes, as the paths are steep and uneven.
The castle closes at 2:30pm, 25 October 2026. Our Diwali celebration event in the evening is fully sold out with no tickets available on the day.
Castle
Later dates are in the calendar.
Prices, non-members
Entry (peak)
Entry (off-peak)
Admission tickets can be purchased from the main Visitor Reception, located at the entrance to the castle. You do not need to pre-book your tickets unless you are in a group of 15 or more. For this, please email corfecastle@nationaltrust.org.uk Free entry for National Trust members and under 5's. Child ticket applies for 5-17 year olds (inclusive). Family ticket admits two adults plus up to three children. Family (1 adult) ticket admits one adult plus up to three children. Parking: Free for members; charges for non-members. See Getting Here section for further details. Carers: Disabled visitors and members can bring their carers / essential companions into our places for free. Peak Season dates for 2026: 28 March - 12 April 2 - 4 May 23 - 31 May 25 July - 31 August
5.0· 1 review
Tip: After driving by year after year I am so glad we got out of the car and went inside. Make sure you explore the whole site and prepare for a steep walk to the top.
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Dog friendly
2.5 miles, moderate, with a climb in the middle and kissing gates; mostly level surfaces otherwise. Starts from the National Trust car park at Corfe Castle, with the tea-room and shop at The Square. Walkers are asked to keep to footpaths to avoid erosion, and grazing livestock are present.
