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Corfe Castle Cottages - Corfe Castle is a great location for Dorset self-catering holiday cottages on the south coast of England, with excellent access to the Jurassic Coastline of Dorset, the Purbeck Hills and much, much more.
Our Corfe Castle Cottages are two Grade II listed buildings for self-catering holidays in Corfe Castle, a charming village at the heart of the Isle of Purbeck and dominated by the magnificent ruins of the castle. Corfe is an ideal base for walking or cycling; there are plenty of beaches within easy reach; the world famous Jurassic Coast, the Bovington Tank Museum and Monkey World are close near by; the famous Swanage Steam Railway has a station in the village and there are pubs and restaurants to suit all tastes in the village and nearby. We are sure that you will really enjoy a holiday at our cottages.
The Old bakery is a self-catering cottage and is a two bedroom Purbeck stone built Grade II listed end of terrace cottage in West Street. It dates from the 18th Century. It was in the ownership of the Woadden family for many years who were the local bakers and produce suppliers for Corfe. The Old Bakery has been sensitively renovated to provide a high quality holiday cottage on West Street, Corfe Castle’s premier road. This cottage makes an ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life with fantastic views and walks right from your doorstep.
On entering the Cottage:
The front door leads directly into a very pleasant spacious sitting/dining room able to comfortably accommodate 5 people. The sitting room has a fully functioning wood burner and is equipped with hi-fi, TV and DVD player.
A doorway leads through to a fully fitted and well equipped modern kitchen.
Off the kitchen is a lobby which allows rear access to the property and leads to the stairs.
Upstairs master bedroom has a wrought iron double bed and a walk in wardrobe.
The second bedroom is fitted with solid pine single bed and full size 3ft bunk beds large enough to sleep adults comfortably.
There is also a very large partially tiled bathroom with bath, WC and a fine view of the castle.
The Old Bakery is fully heated throughout, and has recently been re-furnished and fitted to a high standard, using traditional local paints from Farrow and Ball etc.
Facilities include: colour TV, DVD player, washer/dryer, electric oven, electric hob, fridge, microwave.
There is no telephone. The public telephone is a couple of minutes walk.
Woadden’s Cottage,
a self catering holiday cottage, which is a three bedroom Grade II listed
terraced cottage next to The Old Bakery in West Street. It dates from the 18th
Century. It was in the ownership of the Woadden family for many years who were
the local bakers and produce suppliers for Corfe. Woaddens has been sensitively
renovated to provide a high quality holiday cottage on West Street, Corfe
Castle’s premier road. This cottage makes an ideal getaway from the hustle and
bustle of everyday life with fantastic views and walks right from your doorstep.
On entering the Cottage:
The front door leads directly into a very pleasant dining room with an attractive tiled floor, which in turn leads to a spacious fully fitted solid Oak kitchen, extensive work surfaces, and an integrated fridge. A door from the kitchen leads to a small utility room with a washer/dryer and a downstairs bathroom with basin. There is a door from the kitchen to a small secluded paved courtyard.
Stairs from the dining room lead directly to the first floor sitting room. It has ample comfortable seating, including a sofa bed, and a fire effect electric heater designed to resemble a wood burning stove. From the sitting room views of Nine Barrow Down can be seen. The sitting room is equipped with hi-fi, TV and DVD player.
Also on the first floor is a bedroom with 3ft bunk beds (large enough for “full size” teenagers or even adults); and a very pleasant partially tiled modern bathroom with bath with shower over, hand basin, toilet, and heated towel rail. Also on the first floor is a door leading to an external staircase down to the courtyard.
Another flight of stairs, slightly narrower, lead to the second floor where the “master bedroom” is situated with a super king (6ft wide) comfortable bed and a fabulous view of the Castle. Also on this floor is the single bedroom with solid pine 3ft bed and matching solid pine furniture.
Woadden’s Cottage is fully heated throughout, and has
recently been re-furnished and fitted to a high standard, using traditional
local paints from Farrow and Ball etc.
Facilities include: colour TV, DVD player, washer/dryer, electric oven, electric hob, fridge with ice box, microwave.
There is no telephone. The public telephone is a couple of minutes walk.
Corfe Castle has had a long and eventful history. Positioned strategically in the gap between the Purbeck hills, it was perfect for defending inland Dorset against attack from the sea. The surrounding agricultural lands and forests were rich, and could be used to provide food and resources for the Castle. Not surprisingly, therefore, Corfe Castle was a royal fortress for over 600 years.
In 978, before the present Castle was built, legend has it that King Edward the Martyr was murdered at Corfe by his stepmother who wanted to put her own son, Ethelred ‘the Unready’, on the throne. While stag hunting in the Purbeck forest, Edward paid a visit to Corfe, where Elfryda is said to have offered him a goblet of wine, then treacherously had him stabbed in the back while he drank it.
Corfe Castle was begun by William the Conqueror soon after his arrival in Britain in 1066. It was served by the surrounding community in return for the use of homes and land, as well as shelter in the Castle in times of trouble. Much of the Isle of Purbeck was a Royal Forest so the hunting of game without royal permission was punishable by death.
Corfe was one of King John’s favourite castles. Between 1199 and 1216 he added a great many defences. During his troubled reign the castle was often used as a prison, where many prisoners met their deaths. King John also turned Corfe Castle into a comfortable royal residence. There would have been a garden and a kitchen to grow and prepare food for the king’s table.
From the 14th to the 16th centuries, Corfe Castle was less important as a royal stronghold and often fell into disrepair. In 1572 Queen Elizabeth I sold it to her Lord Chancellor, Sir Christopher Hatton, who converted it into a prestigious home, complete with fine furniture, tapestries and silk cushions. In 1635 Corfe Castle was bought by Sir John Bankes.
Following the death of her husband during the Civil War, Lady Mary Bankes successfully defended the castle during a seige in 1643. During a second seige in 1646 an act of betrayal by a member of her garrison led to capture by the parliamentarians. They deliberately demolished the castle resulting in the dramatic ruin you see today. Much of the missing stone can be found in the houses of Corfe Castle Village.
The task of The National Trust today is to protect and strengthen what remains of the Castle. Archaeological excavations are being used to reveal more of the castle’s past. Corfe Castle is part of the huge Kingston Lacy estate left to The National Trust in 1981 by Ralph Bankes, a direct descendant of Sir John Bankes.
Tel 01425 674401
www.corfecastlecottage.co.uk
Dorset self catering holiday cottages