Guidebook for Corfe Castle
Food Scene
Good food, with a lovely terrace right on the river at Wareham
40 locals recommend
Old Granary, Wareham
The QuayGood food, with a lovely terrace right on the river at Wareham
Cosy, family-friendly pub offering good pub grub with a roaring fire in winter and a garden in summer.
26 locals recommend
The Castle Inn
63 East StCosy, family-friendly pub offering good pub grub with a roaring fire in winter and a garden in summer.
Nice old pub. Every popular, with a good menu and beer gardens right beneath the castle.
15 locals recommend
The Greyhound Inn
The SquareNice old pub. Every popular, with a good menu and beer gardens right beneath the castle.
Nice old pub right in the village square, which offers hearty breakfasts as well as lunches and evening meals. Roaring fires in winter and a large beer garden for summer with views of both the historic castle ruins and the steam railway. Quintessential Corfe Castle.
9 locals recommend
Bankes Arms Hotel
23 East StNice old pub right in the village square, which offers hearty breakfasts as well as lunches and evening meals. Roaring fires in winter and a large beer garden for summer with views of both the historic castle ruins and the steam railway. Quintessential Corfe Castle.
Perched on the hill at Kingston - the beer garden at the Scott Arms has great views back towards Corfe and beyond.
44 locals recommend
The Scott Arms
West StreetPerched on the hill at Kingston - the beer garden at the Scott Arms has great views back towards Corfe and beyond.
Quaint quarryman's pub at Worth Matravers, with lovely sea views from the garden and a dynamite line in home brewed Dorset cider.
92 locals recommend
The Square and Compass
Worth MatraversQuaint quarryman's pub at Worth Matravers, with lovely sea views from the garden and a dynamite line in home brewed Dorset cider.
Clavell's Restaurant
The bustling seaside town of Swanage has a pleasant beach surrounded by the Purbeck Hills, plenty of places to eat and drink, and a lively music scene with many summer events (Jazz Festival, Blues Festival, Folk Festival, Carnival - to name but a few).
29 locals recommend
Swanage Bay
4 Highcliffe RdThe bustling seaside town of Swanage has a pleasant beach surrounded by the Purbeck Hills, plenty of places to eat and drink, and a lively music scene with many summer events (Jazz Festival, Blues Festival, Folk Festival, Carnival - to name but a few).
Halfway Inn Wareham
Quaint, cosy pub halfway between Wareham and Corfe.
Great for a special occasion - locally sourced, food in the beautiful old manor house and gardens overlooking the sea at Studland.
165 locals recommend
The Pig on the Beach
Manor RoadGreat for a special occasion - locally sourced, food in the beautiful old manor house and gardens overlooking the sea at Studland.
Old 1930s hotel which offers "High Tea" - much frequented by Enid Blyton and other notable figures from the era.
Knoll House Hotel
Old 1930s hotel which offers "High Tea" - much frequented by Enid Blyton and other notable figures from the era.
Just across the chain ferry from Studland - Rick's Stein's Seafood Restaurant - conveniently situated beside some of the most expensive real estate in the world at Sandbanks.
120 locals recommend
Rick Stein, Sandbanks
10-14 Banks RdJust across the chain ferry from Studland - Rick's Stein's Seafood Restaurant - conveniently situated beside some of the most expensive real estate in the world at Sandbanks.
Great views across the Bay - lovely to sit outside on sunny days! Situated at the beginning of Swanage's newly restored wooden pier (no need to pay the small pier access fee if you are only going to the restaurant).
19 locals recommend
The 1859 Pier Cafe & Bistro
Swanage PierGreat views across the Bay - lovely to sit outside on sunny days! Situated at the beginning of Swanage's newly restored wooden pier (no need to pay the small pier access fee if you are only going to the restaurant).
The stone castle built in Swanage's Victorian heyday guards the entrance to Durlston Country Park and houses the pleasant "Seventh Wave" restaurant. Lovely views from the outside terrace on warm summer days.
20 locals recommend
Durlston Castle
Lighthouse RoadThe stone castle built in Swanage's Victorian heyday guards the entrance to Durlston Country Park and houses the pleasant "Seventh Wave" restaurant. Lovely views from the outside terrace on warm summer days.
Traditional Dorset Cream Tea at the National Trust Tearoom in the village square. The garden has a stonking view of the Castle.
11 locals recommend
Corfe Castle Village Stores
25 East StTraditional Dorset Cream Tea at the National Trust Tearoom in the village square. The garden has a stonking view of the Castle.
In the summer you can this cheap al fresco eatery, on a quiet stretch of Swanage Beach - great Full English Breakfasts and picnics. Access from the road next to Burlington Chine.
6 locals recommend
Down The Beach
Burlington ChineIn the summer you can this cheap al fresco eatery, on a quiet stretch of Swanage Beach - great Full English Breakfasts and picnics. Access from the road next to Burlington Chine.
Mortons Manor
45 East StPosh dining in the pocket-sized Elizabethan Manor House in Corfe Castle village
Glory hole of local art and artisans - situated at the foot of the castle in the old railway boilerhouse buildings. There is a garden cafe in summer.
Boilerhouse Gallery
Sandy Hill LaneGlory hole of local art and artisans - situated at the foot of the castle in the old railway boilerhouse buildings. There is a garden cafe in summer.
The local shop is the hub of the village - providing everything from post officer counter services, dry cleaning pick up - a showcase for locally produced products (purbeck cider, ice-cream, cheese, biscuits, pies etc etc) and 300 different types of gin!! (As well as more mundane necessities).
11 locals recommend
Corfe Castle Village Stores
25 East StThe local shop is the hub of the village - providing everything from post officer counter services, dry cleaning pick up - a showcase for locally produced products (purbeck cider, ice-cream, cheese, biscuits, pies etc etc) and 300 different types of gin!! (As well as more mundane necessities).
Well reviewed restaurant in West St, Corfe - which is popular with our guests for breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner. Good range of Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, and Gluten Free Options too!
9 locals recommend
The Pink Goat Corfe Castle
5 West StWell reviewed restaurant in West St, Corfe - which is popular with our guests for breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner. Good range of Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, and Gluten Free Options too!
For a very special meal or occasion - the Priory, with its lovely gardens overlooking the river at Wareham, can't be beaten.
26 locals recommend
The Priory Hotel
Church GreenFor a very special meal or occasion - the Priory, with its lovely gardens overlooking the river at Wareham, can't be beaten.
Nice place for a drink or meal in the conservatory, or the clifftop garden with lovely views over Swanage Bay.
7 locals recommend
Grand Hotel
Nice place for a drink or meal in the conservatory, or the clifftop garden with lovely views over Swanage Bay.
Venture a little bit further from the beach, up Swanage High Street - the Black Swan earns great reviews for food.
Black Swan Inn
Venture a little bit further from the beach, up Swanage High Street - the Black Swan earns great reviews for food.
Right by the Shellbay Ferry with lovely views over Poole Harbour. Strategic location after a day at the beach!
92 locals recommend
Shell Bay Seafood Restaurant
Ferry RoadRight by the Shellbay Ferry with lovely views over Poole Harbour. Strategic location after a day at the beach!
Can't be beaten for location on a warm summer's evening. Drinks and snacks with stunning views across the Bay... like being in the Med!
The Roof Terrace
Can't be beaten for location on a warm summer's evening. Drinks and snacks with stunning views across the Bay... like being in the Med!
The Fox Inn
Oldest pub in the village, with a lovely beer garden for summer months
In Corfe's Main Square, beside the Greyhound, you will find Mr Dragon's village bakery - offering a freshly baked bread, filled rolls and a delicious array of pies, pasties and cakes - perfect for picnics!
Corfe Castle Village Bakery
In Corfe's Main Square, beside the Greyhound, you will find Mr Dragon's village bakery - offering a freshly baked bread, filled rolls and a delicious array of pies, pasties and cakes - perfect for picnics!
Sightseeing
Nature Reserve and Bird Sanctuary - on the Isle of Purbeck peninsula with beautiful views over the backwaters and islands of Poole Harbour,
37 locals recommend
Arne
Nature Reserve and Bird Sanctuary - on the Isle of Purbeck peninsula with beautiful views over the backwaters and islands of Poole Harbour,
Railway Station
Station RoadHop on the historic steam railway to Swanage at Corfe Castle's quaint station.
Experience another aspect of Purbeck by visiting the old clay mine at Norden
Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum
Experience another aspect of Purbeck by visiting the old clay mine at Norden
Overlooked by Clavell's Tower on the headland. Kimmeridge Bay is a great place for fossils and rock pools.
120 locals recommend
Kimmeridge Bay
Overlooked by Clavell's Tower on the headland. Kimmeridge Bay is a great place for fossils and rock pools.
Tiny Saxon chapel on the cliff top, which can only be reached on foot across the fields.
St Aldhelm's Chapel
Tiny Saxon chapel on the cliff top, which can only be reached on foot across the fields.
Beautiful sweep of sandy beach - running from the old Sandbanks chain ferry to Studland village
10 locals recommend
Shell Bay Beach
Ferry RoadBeautiful sweep of sandy beach - running from the old Sandbanks chain ferry to Studland village
Lovely gardens and perfect model village of Corfe, with great views of the Castle itself and a nice restaurant.
9 locals recommend
Model Village Gardens & Cafe
The SquareLovely gardens and perfect model village of Corfe, with great views of the Castle itself and a nice restaurant.
Great walks and dolphin watching from the marine centre on the headland.
81 locals recommend
Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve
Lighthouse RoadGreat walks and dolphin watching from the marine centre on the headland.
The oldest animal welfare organisation in Dorset – cats, chickens and panoply of pot bellied pigs and farm animals. Perfect for a family day out.
Margaret Green Animal Rescue - Church Knowle Animal Sanctuary & Visitor Centre
The oldest animal welfare organisation in Dorset – cats, chickens and panoply of pot bellied pigs and farm animals. Perfect for a family day out.
Hire a rowing boat (in summer) and paddle down the River Frome.
22 locals recommend
Wareham Boat Trips
3 The QuayHire a rowing boat (in summer) and paddle down the River Frome.
Diving and boat hire. Britain's oldest Dive School nestles nicely on the pier to the South of the Swanage, with parking for cars and vans on the Pier and the underwater world lying directly underneath the Pier with copious amounts of sealife attracted by the confines of the wooden pier framework.
There are a variety of other dives, deep and shallow including many WW1 and WW2 wrecks which lie in deeper water outside the bay.
Divers Down
Diving and boat hire. Britain's oldest Dive School nestles nicely on the pier to the South of the Swanage, with parking for cars and vans on the Pier and the underwater world lying directly underneath the Pier with copious amounts of sealife attracted by the confines of the wooden pier framework.
There are a variety of other dives, deep and shallow including many WW1 and WW2 wrecks which lie in deeper water outside the bay.
Corfe Castle
Iconic ruin with 1000 years of fascinating history. Grab a guided tour if you can.