Corfe Castle Mugs

Photograph Herdwick sheep were thought to be introduced by Norse-Irish settlers in the 10th & 11th centuries, there are also tales of the breed being brought here on shipwrecked from the Spanish Armada. The ancient norse for sheep farm was "Herd-Vic", the word "Herdwyck" means sheep pasture and can be found in documents dating back to the 12th century. These sheep were originally bred for their tough wiry wool which can create garments which repel rain and outlive many softer yarns but their wool is sheer purgatory for the hands of the knitter. Beatrix Potter, the childrens' author, kept and bred Herdwick sheep, winning many prizes for her ewes in shows across Cumbria, she was acting president of the breed association for a t...

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Springtime daffodils in God's Acre Cemetery, Corfe Castle (Dorset, England). For Deborah Taylor and Steve Harley, who both passed away this week. 17th March 2024.

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Corfe Castle is one of the most scenic spots in Southerm England. The ruin occupies a mound at the one significant gap in the Purbeck Hills that isolated the 'isle' of Purbeck from the rest of Dorset (UK). So it is no surprise that it was built as early as the time of William the Conqueror (11th century). And it is also no surprise that it was demolished by Oliver Cromwell (1646) to stop it becoming a stronghold. Today it stands as a romantic ruin over the picturesque village of Corfe - a place that feels trapped in an Enid Blyton novel, with its old fashioned village feel, complete with preserved steam railway. There are many good angles to view the castle. As well as from the common (here), the hills either side are good vantage point...

CORFE CASTLE - Ruins, Dorset, England. Sunrise first rays of light on the castle ruins.

Corfe Castle is a fortification standing above the village of the same name on the Isle of Purbeck in the English county of Dorset. Built by William the Conqueror, the castle dates back to the 11th century and commands a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage.

CORFE CASTLE - Village, Dorset, England. Sunrise first rays of light view from the castle ruins.

CORFE CASTLE - Village, Dorset, England. Sunrise first rays of light view from the castle ruins. English flag in the background.

Panoramic View of Corfe Castle in Dorset, UK seen over the Rooftops of the nearby Village

A collage of images taken on the Swanage Railway at or close to Corfe Castle station (Dorset, England). Left - retro luggage, Top right - U class arriving at Corfe from Swanage, Bottom right - U class departing Corfe for Norden. 17th March 2024.

Moonlight Illuminates the Ruins of the Ancient Chapel at Corfe Castle In Dorset, UK

Folly Cottage in Corfe, Dorset

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Ruins of Corfe Castle Number of views as of 31st October 2018 = 375. Another view of the 11th century ruins of Corfe Castle taken from just outside the castle grounds. Corfe Castle village lies between Swanage and Wareham on the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England. Date: 11th May 2014.

Corfe Castle ruins, the village and countryside beyond

Ex Southern Railway 2-6-0 U Class arriving at Corfe Castle en route to Norden on the Swanage Railway (Dorset, England), 17th March 2024.

The ruins of the entrance to the castle in Corfe, still standing to welcome visitors now. HDR photography taken in Dorset, UK

Corfe Castle Banner Number of views as of 8th September 2015 = 180. For the Castle Magic group banner competition. Featuring Dorset's most famous fortress - Corfe Castle. Click here to see the original shot and read about Corfe's history.

Photograph Herdwick sheep were thought to be introduced by Norse-Irish settlers in the 10th & 11th centuries, there are also tales of the breed being brought here on shipwrecked from the Spanish Armada. The ancient norse for sheep farm was "Herd-Vic", the word "Herdwyck" means sheep pasture and can be found in documents dating back to the 12th century. These sheep were originally bred for their tough wiry wool which can create garments which repel rain and outlive many softer yarns but their wool is sheer purgatory for the hands of the knitter. Beatrix Potter, the childrens' author, kept and bred Herdwick sheep, winning many prizes for her ewes in shows across Cumbria, she was acting president of the breed association for a t...

Corfe's Been Framed Number of views as of 3rd July 2016 = 330. In the words of music hall singer Marie Lloyd, "one of the ruins that Cromwell knocked about a bit". Corfe Castle, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England. Date: 11th May 2014.

A stone path through the ruins of a castle HDR photography taken in Corfe, Dorest UK

At the top of a hill stands the ruins of Corfe castle in Dorset England. HDR landscape photography. Built by William the Conqueror, the castle dates back to the 11th century and underwent major structural changes in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Bluebell Wood Number of views as of 21st June 2018 = 310. The merry, merry month of May is a fine time to rediscover those ancient English woodlands, and the carpets of bluebells often found there. This particular wood is not far from the village of Corfe Castle, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England. Date: 11th May 2014.

National Treasure, March 2019 The legendary steam locomotive, the 'Flying Scotsman' arriving at Corfe Castle station on a rare visit to Swanage Railway, Dorset, England. Following a £4.2 million restoration project in 2016, the locomotive is now resplendent in dark green British Railways livery and is numbered 60103. In 1934, then operated by the London and North Eastern Railway company (LNER), the Flying Scotsman became the first locomotive in the UK to officially reach a speed of over 100 miles per hour, and is probably the most famous steam locomotive in the world ever. The Flying Scotsman was originally built in the LNER's Doncaster works in 1923. Date: 24th March 2019.

Flying Scotsman, Swanage Railway, March 2019 The Flying Scotsman, undoubtedly one of the most iconic of British steam locomotives, hauls a rake of passenger coaches through the beautiful Isle of Purbeck countryside, near Woody Hyde camp site, between Corfe Castle and Harman's Cross, during a visit to Dorset in March 2019. Following a £4.2 million restoration project in 2016, the locomotive is now resplendent in dark green British Railways livery and is numbered 60103. Of course, in its heyday, the Scotsman would never have been seen operating on a somewhat 'out of the way' Dorset branch line. In 1934, then operated by the London and North Eastern Railway company (LNER), the Flying Scotsman became the first locomotive in the UK to officia...

Steps leading to the ruins of Corfe Castle. Built by William the Conqueror, the castle dates back to the 11th century and underwent major structural changes in the 12th and 13th centuries. HDR photography

Let's face it. We all wanted our own castle at some age. Well, we can't build it for you, nor buy, but there is a solution at hand. Your own little, picturesque and portable stronghold. Looks good while reinforcing your laptop, clock or mug. And it's cheap