Corfe Castle Parish

Corfe Castle Parish stretches from the North coast to the South coast of Purbeck.. The Parish has two main villages Corfe Castle and Kingston, with just over 1050 residents. 

Kingston

Kingston is situated about two miles south of Corfe Castle and five miles west of Swanage. The village is surrounded by woods and stands at a height of over 400 ft (120 Metres) above sea level and can be seen from far away.

Since the 12th century, up until 1877, Kingston had been a chapelry of Corfe Castle. A chapel stood on the east side of the village and it was served by the Rector of Corfe Castle or his assistant.

In 1833 John Scott, the first Earl of Eldon, (later Lord Chancellor Eldon) replaced the chapel, at his own expense, with the present church building standing on the site. It was designed by his son-in-law, George Repton, and largely followed the ground plan of the replaced chapel, embodying most of the old building material. The first Earl and his wife are buried in the churchyard. 

The other church, St James’s Church, is quite elaborate. It was built in 1874, completed in 1880, by the third Earl of Eldon, the architect was George Edmund Street (1824–1881). St James’s Church resembles a miniature of an early English cathedral. It is a cruciform building, with an apse, central tower and narthex, built throughout of Purbeck stone. Its tower dominates the landscape. The tower, which is somewhat disproportionate in size to the rest of the church, was made large enough to contain a full ring of eight bells, which were cast and installed by John Taylor & Co., of Loughborough, in 1880. Two more bells were added in 2000 to make a ring of 10 bells. Inside the clustered pillars and other details are made of Purbeck marble, quarried from Lord Eldon’s estate and worked by his own craftsmen. It did not replace the existing church immediately and in effect for over forty years it was the private chapel of the Eldon family.

There was also a Wesleyan Chapel, built in 1861, at the foot of Kingston Hill. The building still stands and now it is a private residence.

The first school in Kingston was established on 24 September 1786. The school house for up to 100 children with residence for the school master, was erected in 1856, in memory of the Earl and Countess of Eldon, by their children. The old school house building is now a private residence.

The village pub dates from 1787. Originally it was known as the ‘New Inn’. Its name was changed to the Eldon Arms in the early 19th century. After the Second World War the name was changed to The Scott Arms.

Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle is a historic rural village in the heart of Purbeck in Dorset, on the Southcoast of England.

Sited, twenty-four miles (by vehicle) south of Poole (a major Dorset town), and five miles west along the A351 from Swanage (largest town in Purbeck).

History
Although the Castle itself is known to date from the 11th Century, a burial mound suggests the area was occupied as far back as 6000 BC and there is evidence of a Celtic field system worked by the pre-Roman tribe, the Durotriges.

Landscape
Corfe Castle is located in a clay valley, nestled between two chalk ridges to the north. 

Corfe Castle has been shaped over the years primarily because of the topography of the area. From its strategic hilltop Castle to the meandering rivers and surrounding countryside. 

A significant percentage of the area around the village is Common Land. The largest Common at approximately 123 hectares is Corfe Common. It is “the best sport in England to find the rare wild chamomile”  

Two waterways encircle Corfe Castle: The Corfe River to the west and Byle Brook to the east. They converge just north of the Castle, forming an ideal site for Boar Mill, a magnificent Corn Water Mill. 

Due to the biodiversity wealth in and around Corfe Castle, the whole parish lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Additionally, select areas are also designations of Sites of Special Scientific Interest or Conservation Areas. 

Land Use / Amenities

Corfe Castle is a linear settlement, featuring two main streets, West Street and East Street., converging at “The Square”, the bustling heart of the village where you will discover shops and the main entrance to the Castle.

As with most village landscapes, residential properties dominate the area, but the diversity of property types and amenities is considerable. 

Castle.
The Castle we see today traces its roots to William the Conqueror in 1066 and later became the property of Sir Bankes, the Lord Chief Justice, in 1635. During an attack by the Parliamentarians in 1643, Lady Bankes defended the castle while her husband was away. Despite her success, a subsequent betrayal led to the castle’s siege. Parliament decided to demolish the Castle with explosives in 1946, resulting in the ruins we now know.
The Castle was given to the National Trust in 1981 (National Trust, 2024).

Steam Railway.
Opened in May 1885, originally the branch line between Wareham and Swanage passing through Corfe Castle. The line was closed in 1972 after a lengthy battle between British Rail and the local Council and public. In 1976 work started to rebuild part of the line, with it opening in 1979 as a heritage Steam Railway. (Swanage Railway, 2024). The railway is now run as a tourist attraction by volunteers.

Town and Village Hall.
The Town Hall is protected with Grade II listed building status. Originally thatched it burned down in 1680. Rebuilt in the early 18th century, using materials from the Castle for the ground floor. The Council chambers, at 350 square feet, are claimed to be England’s smallest. In 1888 the Town Hall was passed to the Town Trust (2024).
The village hall is a purpose-built facility boasting three separate spaces, with the main hall capacity of 250 people standing. (Pyewacket Design, 2024). The halls are frequently rented to local fitness groups; the Parish Council for public meetings; and used for weddings and birthday parties, all of which promote interaction among villagers.

Along with the amenities mentioned above Corfe Castle boast many other amenities which reflect the vibrancy of the community:
• Public houses,
• Bakery,
• General store / post office,
• Newsagents,
• Doctors Surgery,
• Sweet Shop,
• Churches / Cemeteries,
• Museum,
• Hotel,
• Sports Pavilion & pitches
• Pre-School & Primary School
• Playpark
• Open land.

Social and Economic Assets
Corfe Castle offers something for everyone! The Youth Club and Scout group for the younger generation; the Sports Trust and Football Club for the athletic; The Soup and Pud club, Aquarius and Probus for the social gathers; The Environment Group and Gardening Club, the churches and public houses, the list goes on!

Most of the clubs were formed by residents for residents.
A good example of a group by residents for residents, is the Festivities Committee. Formed in 1953, to decorate the Square for Christmas.

The National Trust known for owning the Castle is also a major landlord in the village. Although residents enjoy year-round free access to the Castle, during the Queen’s Jubilee, when a local group, Crazy 4 Corfe proposed a tea party and beacon lighting, the National Trust offered the Castle as the venue. Closing the doors to paying visitors, allowing Corfe Castle residents and their families to celebrate together.