for Wordless Wednesday and others!
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Corfe Castle was built by William the Conqueror almost 1,000 years ago. Since then it’s seen its fair share of battles, mysteries and plots. It’s been a treasury, military garrison, royal residence and family home.
Generations of the Bankes family lived there until it was partially destroyed by an Act of Parliament in the 1700’s. Deep holes were packed with gunpowder to bring the towers and ramparts crashing down, resulting in the yawning gaps and crazy angles we see today!
The Bankes’ then built themselves a house, Kingston Lacy which is where I took you last week!
Click on pics to enlarge.
First, find somewhere to park!
And here we go!
It’s quite steep …
Yet more steps …
That’s a bit wonky …
We’ve made it to the top …
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I wonder what’s through here …
That’s the village down there …
There goes a steam train …
Mind your heard …
And it’s time to go down again …
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Now, where did I leave the car?
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It’s very beautiful, Keith. I loved the photos
I’m pleased, thanks, Shweta.
You’re welcome 😀
This was quite an intriguing journey into history. I love the landscape and the monumental ruins.
How are things by the sea side, Keith?
Thanks, Natasha, it’s lovely here right now – I do like to be beside the seaside ….!
Bless, can’t wait to go to the salty sea. 🙂
That’s my kind of place to visit!
It was well worth the trip!
This is my favorite post. I love seeing these old structures and thinking about all the history that they come with!
Thanks so much, it really is awesome.
What a nice place I liked all the wonderful captures just one thing did you find the car? LOL 😉
Have a searchtastic week 👍
Eventually! Cheers, Steve.
That is so lovley!! Wow!!
Thanks so much, Lydia.
Wow, you go to the coolest places. I would love to explore here too. Great shots.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday, Keith. 🙂
So much to see, so many places to go. With foreign travel being off the table of late, it’s been great to discover what my own country has to offer! Thanks, Sandee.
Holy Wow, what a beautiful place. That a stunning castle. Thanks for sharing it with us.
It is, I felt I had to share it. Thanks so much.
What a beautiful and amazing place to see and visit! Parking in those little towns is always a challenge. It is true all over Europe as well.
I ended up almost a mile away, but the experience was worth every step!
I can imagine living there and looking down on the rest of the world long ago. I bet it was amazing.
It’s amazing now, I can only imagine what it was like then.
What lovely ruins. I particularly like that first image with the arch framing the castle!
Now I am curious about that act of Parliament that brought it down…
Ah, it was during the Civil War. Oliver Cromwell 😀
Spot on! Unfortunately, the Bankes family supported the wrong side!
A great post, Keith! The ruins are a reminder of a great past – I favor your image with a look down in the valley. But I can understand, one needs a house to live in:) Finding your car back would be a good thing!
It certainly had a nice view! Thanks so much, Emile.
Oh my what was Parliament thinking? Shame on them- thanks for all the gorgeous photos- did you find your car?
I can’t imagine it happening today! Cheers, Kathe.
Thanks Keith for this trip down memory lane. As I was born in Poole but lived mostly in New York then Paris when a child. Every August we would visit my grand-parents and walk the Purbecks. Stud land to Corfe Castle, Corfe Castle to Swanage; Swanage to Weymouth; Dancing ledge, Lulworth Cove…….So your historical post was very rewarding…. especially as at home it was a constant 100 years’ war, what with a French father and English mother, not living very far from Normandy…etc…..Thank God all that’s over….However I still took my kids to Corfe Castle to climb the hill and stuff ourselves with cream teas…. Soon to join the Friday Fictionneers….and maybe even 6 sentence Thursdays….. Starting today.
I’d often travelled through Dorset but never stayed there until the other week when I set my tent up in the little village of Ansty. I had no idea what I’d been missing, it’s amazing! You’ve certainly been around: I lived for several years in Normandy myself.
Looking forward to seeing you at FF and 6SS!
Thank you Keith for your warm welcome. Amazing how in England the South East and South West live unbeknownst to each other. Is there some kind of antagonism going on here ! Ha, ha…..
Nice one Keith … I can’t imagine why anyone, even back then would want to destroy such a beautiful solid old building! The views are incredible and your photography shows it all … thanks Keith
Hi Keith – I didn’t know the gunpowder history bit … and don’t really remember it – my cousin and family camped there when I was helping them out with the newborn donkey years ago! Stunning photos and tour you’ve given us – sounds a really interesting visit – cheers Hilary
Thanks, Keith. Very interesting back story and excellent photographs.