By train

This morning we walked down to Swanage Station and caught a steam train to Corfe Castle. Usually when we’ve been there we have set off on a walk in the hills. There are some wonderful tracks and paths around there, with great views of the castle from a distance. Today, for obvious reasons, only one of us set off walking, whilst the other wandered round the castle, taking photographs and then sat amongst the ruins, in the sun, reading – being incapacitated does have its advantages!

Later we met up and had afternoon tea at the castle café and then got another steam train back to Swanage. A glorious day weather-wise and I am getting better . . . I think!
 
Corfe Castle, even as a ruin, is very impressive, as it stands high on a hill and can be seen from many miles away. Its history spans over 1,000 years, it becoming by the 13th century a mighty fortress and a royal palace; it was once described as ‘the most secure of all the English castles’. But its life came to an abrupt end when it was destroyed by order of Parliament during the Civil War. My blip picture shows the remains of the huge Keep and Gatehouse. This shows how it was blown up in order to ensure it could not be used again. And here is the steam train going past the castle.
   
(The Swanage steam railway is thought to be one used by Enid Blyton’s  Famous Five as they arrived for their holidays of adventure! The station has been restored and is now as might have been in the 1950s, which is when the novels are set. And Corfe Castle is thought to be ‘Kirrin Castle’ in the books.)