Christchurch ruins
Christchurch has a couple of interesting sites, The historic ruins of the Norman Hall and Christchurch Castle. Christchurch Castle, perched high on a hill, overlooking the river Avon, was thought to have been built around 1100AD.
The Norman Hall sits not far from the castle, next to the river Avon. The hall extends into the mill stream that runs along side.
Corfe Castle on Streetview
The breaking news is that Corfe Castle has now been included on Google's controversial Streetview mode. Streetview is a method of using Google maps to explore as though you were on foot. Use the interface below to explore the Castle. Click the map's top right box to go into full screen mode.
Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle and the ruins of its thousand-year-old castle, a remarkable survivor of the English Civil War, rise above the Isle of Purbeck.
The building of the castle was begun by William the Conqueror not long after his arrival in Britain in 1066. The castle has been a residence of a number of royals during it's life until it was sold by Queen Elizabeth I in 1572.
Following a seige in 1646, the castle was demolished - hence it's current state of ruin.
Access to the ruin itself is available upon payment of a fee as the site is owned by the National Trust. However there are great free views to be had of the castle if you climb one of the adjacent hills. There's a visitor centre at the foot of the hill, together with a tea room and shop.
Sherborne Old Castle
The remains of the Old Castle, administered by English Heritage, were originally built in the early 12th century. The castle survived intact until the late 16th century when the then owner Sir Walter Raleigh, decided it was too old and draughty, and built Sherborne Lodge, in the grounds nearby.
See more photos of the castle on our Sherborne castle section.
