If solely stones may discuss, there’d be drama and ugly tales galore to maintain everybody entertained throughout a time out at Corfe Fortress with youngsters.
comprises affiliate hyperlinks*
Lately, the Dorset fortress is perhaps in ruins but it surely’s withstood centuries of tumultuous historical past – one English king was murdered right here, stabbed within the again by a queen decided to see her son on the throne.
One other king imprisoned his niece right here, killing her trustworthy knights who’re mentioned to hang-out one of many towers. Yet one more constructed a small fortress close by to besiege his cousin. And that’s all earlier than we’ve bought out of the twelfth century – there are additionally tales of treachery, struggle and one in all Queen Elizabeth I’s court docket favourites for teenagers at Corfe Fortress to find.
Pace a number of centuries into the long run, and it’s even mentioned to be the inspiration for Enid Blyton’s Kirrin Fortress within the Well-known 5 books. At the moment it’s a Nationwide Belief web site, and for those who’re visiting Dorset with youngsters, it’s one place which ought to undoubtedly be in your checklist for a time out.
Once we visited in the course of the summer season, we ended up exploring on a day with a complete string of additional household actions, from a medieval village together with historic crafts, a storyteller and native archaeologists becoming a member of the enjoyable.
So it’s properly value maintaining a watch out for what’s on at Corfe Fortress, however everytime you go to, there’s loads to discover – together with normally a path throughout faculty holidays.
Our path made a enjoyable option to uncover all of the sections of the fortress, from the open inexperienced area as you first stroll by means of the gate to the sprawling ruins up on the hill.
Following the clues, youngsters may get a way of the individuals who lived on the fortress over the centuries, to be taught extra about their jobs, together with encouragement to put in writing their very own ballad and determine which job they’d choose to cleansing out the garderobe, the medieval bathrooms.
In October and November, it’s being changed by the Secret of the Sappers path, set in the course of the English Civil Conflict when Corfe was partly destroyed.
Like so many castles which have been decreased to ruins over time, it’s the tales which convey it to life – and with 1,000 years of historical past to find, you’re not in need of some gripping drama.
We had been fortunate to get a efficiency whisking us by means of a few of the key moments of Corfe’s historical past: from its Norman origins, together with the Anarchy, when King Stephen constructed his personal fortress close by to attempt to wrestle it from Empress Matilda – you may nonetheless see the stays of The Rings to today, simply out of bowshot.
Later, within the time of dangerous King John, it was a royal retreat: the self-indulgent monarch prolonged the fortress for his court docket’s lavish celebrations, together with constructing the luxurious gloriette… which even got here with an indoor bathroom.
Corfe Fortress additionally doubled as a helpful jail for him – preserve a watch out for the shares for a bit extra medieval punishment: King John’s niece, princess Eleanor of Brittany, was simply a type of held prisoner right here.
She, at the least, was handled pretty properly throughout her imprisonment however her 25 knights fared much less properly. After making an attempt to flee, they had been thrown into an oubliette the place 22 of them starved to dying – their ghosts are mentioned to hang-out the Butavant Tower to today.
Later, in the course of the English Civil Conflict when it stood for the King in opposition to Parliament, Girl Bankes defended it bravely throughout not only one, however two sieges, till lastly she was betrayed by one in all her personal troopers.
There are boards dotted across the web site as properly, but it surely’s value testing this mini audio information for those who’re visiting Corfe Fortress with youngsters too, in addition to audio posts within the grounds (though we struggled to make all of them work throughout our go to).
Preserve a watch out for the wicker dragon presently lounging by a wall, in addition to the trebuchet close to the doorway, and the same old fortress necessities together with homicide holes and arrow slits, with a fantastic view again all the way down to Corfe itself for those who fancy firing on an imaginary invading pressure.
However half the enjoyable is in wandering round imagining what the fortress should have been like earlier than it was destroyed – to the extent that some partitions appear like they’re barely remaining intact.
Excellent for letting youngsters’ imaginations run wild, scampering previous teetering archways and little chambers, imagining the dreadful stench of the garderobes and the extravagant feasts within the halls.
We had been fortunate to discover a host of additional actions throughout our go to – you may spend an hour or two exploring Corfe with out them, but when there’s a particular occasion going down, it does rework the location.
Once we visited, there was a complete mediaeval village arrange inside the grounds, full with mosaic making, swords, viciously sharp flints and wool dyed as it might have been centuries in the past.
And in addition to the storytelling classes, there was the possibility to strive your hand at a little bit of archaeology and gown up in fur-lined robes.
After making an attempt on a number of outfits and posing in our favourites, with our greatest regal expressions, we determined summer season wasn’t the very best time to be exploring with heavy cloaks although!
With so many tales to find right here, we hardly wanted the ultimate child-friendly bonuses – for teenagers who’re followers of the Well-known 5 books, the fortress is alleged to have impressed Kirrin Fortress (and close by Brownsea Island to have impressed Kirrin island).
Or for a somewhat extra trendy twist, there’s additionally a Minecraft hyperlink – in addition to with the ability to be a part of the Corfe Fortress Minecraft server, you may take a look at a video to encourage you to construct your individual fortress.
Whether or not you select to mimic a few of Corfe Fortress’s earlier inhabitants is as much as you – however perhaps stick with battling your cousin somewhat than imprisoning your niece!
Extra issues to do throughout a time out at Corfe Fortress with youngsters
You possibly can simply whereas away loads of time following the youngsters’ trails and exploring each nook of Corfe Fortress, but it surely’s additionally simple to mix a go to with a few of the different issues to do in Dorset.
Discover Corfe & the native space
Don’t miss a wander by means of the streets of Corfe itself – the beautiful village is lined with outdated pubs and ivy-covered low stone buildings, in addition to an imposing church on the centre.
There’s ice cream on sunny days, together with on the Nationwide Belief tea room, simply earlier than the doorway to the fortress itself, in addition to treats galore at Corfe Fortress candy store.
You’ll additionally discover loads of strolling routes to discover close to Corfe Fortress with youngsters, as a way to see extra of the gorgeous Dorset countryside.
Corfe Fortress Mannequin Village
Transport your self again to the times when the fortress’s partitions nonetheless stood again in 1646, earlier than it was destroyed within the Civil Conflict in addition to a mini model of the village.
Corfe Fortress mannequin village reveals folks visiting the church, standing by the moat and customarily getting on with life within the village, whereas there may be additionally a fairy backyard, life-size Civil Conflict troopers on guard plus different actions for households (and extra working shares if anybody misbehaves).
Dorset Waterpark
This can be a waterpark with a distinction: as an alternative of the same old flumes and splashzones, the park’s two lakes have inflatable obstacles in addition to different hurdles like wobbly bridges, floating stepping stones and stability beams.
Every lake at Dorset Waterpark has a distinct set of obstacles, with classes lasting an hour (half an hour per lake), plus a mud path course among the many different challenges at Dorset Journey Park.
Minimal age is six (4+ for the mud path), and also you do should be a assured swimmer: wetsuits can be found to rent on the day, tickets should be prebooked.
Go to the Studland seashores
It’s simple to mix a go to to Corfe Fortress with youngsters and a spot of seaside time too – the seashores of Studland Bay are only a brief drive away, in addition to walks to Previous Harry Rocks as properly for those who fancy one thing extra energetic.
There are miles of golden seashores, a part of a nature reserve with dunes lining the sand and water that’s nice for the whole lot from paddling to watersports.
Be careful for the 1km naturist part on Knoll Seashore, however in any other case that’s one of the vital well-liked for households, whereas Center Seashore is backed by low cliffs or South Seashore is without doubt one of the quietest stretches.
Take the chain ferry
For those who fancy testing the millionaire’s playground of Sandbanks, hop on the chain ferry from Studland, which takes round 4 minutes to cross Poole Harbour.
You don’t must have tens of millions within the financial institution your self to get pleasure from Sandbanks both. In addition to extra pretty golden sand seaside, there’s a enjoyable mini golf course to get pleasure from.
Swanage Railway
This pretty heritage steam railway chuffs by means of the countryside alongside the outdated Southern Railway line between Swanage and Norden – because it stops at Corfe, it’s also possible to use it as a extra uncommon option to get round too.
Look out for the providers marked with an ‘O’ when the particular Remark Automotive can also be operating, with its enormous home windows for the very best views, in addition to particular themed providers on the Swanage Railway year-round.
Must know: visiting Corfe Fortress with youngsters
Tickets for Corfe Fortress value from £10 for adults, £5 for teenagers, and are free for Nationwide Belief members. Beneath-fives additionally go free.
Verify right here for opening occasions, which differ all year long.
There’s parking for 90 vehicles on the Nationwide Belief automotive park: it’s properly value arriving early throughout peak occasions, together with faculty holidays, because it fills up quick.
From the automotive park, it’s a brief stroll – lower than 10 minutes – to the doorway to the fortress, which incorporates crossing a street, however in any other case is alongside a footpath.
There are additionally different pay and show automotive parks with more room, together with Purbeck Park, which is helpful for those who’re planning to take the Swanage railway steam practice.
The fortress can also be on numerous bus routes, in addition to biking routes for those who’re visiting with older youngsters.
Disclosure: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Photos copyright MummyTravels
