Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Taking its name from the iconic ruins of a 1,000 year old castle that rise up on the skyline, the chocolate box village lies in a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the Isle of Purbeck, between Wareham and Swanage. It&#8217;s got several pubs, some gorgeous houses, surrounded by lovely countryside and not far from the Jurassic Coast.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-greyhound-corfe-castle-438160670_1338947117046100_5691910115725735535_n.jpg" alt="greyhound inn corfe castle dorset best places to live" class="wp-image-98655" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-greyhound-corfe-castle-438160670_1338947117046100_5691910115725735535_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-greyhound-corfe-castle-438160670_1338947117046100_5691910115725735535_n-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-greyhound-corfe-castle-438160670_1338947117046100_5691910115725735535_n-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-greyhound-corfe-castle-438160670_1338947117046100_5691910115725735535_n-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-greyhound-corfe-castle-438160670_1338947117046100_5691910115725735535_n-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Greyhound Inn</figcaption></figure>



<p>You&#8217;re not short on pubs: <a href="https://greyhoundcorfe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Greyhound Inn</a> backs right onto the castle and has good food and live music, <a href="https://www.thefoxinncorfecastle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Fox Inn</a>, reputedly the oldest pub in the village, The Castle Inn, as well as the 16th century former manor house <a href="https://www.bankesarmshotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bankes Arms</a>. Treat yourselves to a special meal – or a night away – at <a href="https://theprioryhotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Priory</a> in Wareham (<a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/hotels-inns/review-the-priory-wareham-dorset-hotel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">read our review</a>).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>The village stores and post office – once given the Mary Portas makeover on TV – will sort you out if you run out of Dorset Knobs, local cheeses, meats, fruit, veg or cider. You&#8217;re set up for fresh bread, cakes, sweets and gifts at various establishments. You&#8217;ll need to head into Wareham for a Sainsburys, a wider range of shops and the Wareham Quay market on a Saturday for other supplies, and onto Bournemouth&#8217;s various districts for interesting indie shops, and big chains at Castlepoint.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s a GP surgery in the village, pilates and yoga in the village hall and you&#8217;re surrounded by lovely walks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Just because it&#8217;s deepest Dorset, don&#8217;t think they&#8217;re behind the times; you can play the latest craze pickleball in the village hall (along with badminton, am dram, chess and more). Community library, environmental group and a footie club for both adults and kids.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-dorset-adventure-park-448482103_861294006031398_3935160197681046604_n_Fotor.jpg" alt="dorset adventure park corfe castle dorset best places to live" class="wp-image-98661" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-dorset-adventure-park-448482103_861294006031398_3935160197681046604_n_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-dorset-adventure-park-448482103_861294006031398_3935160197681046604_n_Fotor-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-dorset-adventure-park-448482103_861294006031398_3935160197681046604_n_Fotor-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-dorset-adventure-park-448482103_861294006031398_3935160197681046604_n_Fotor-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-dorset-adventure-park-448482103_861294006031398_3935160197681046604_n_Fotor-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The brilliant floating bouncy obstacle course and mud trails at the <a href="https://www.dorsetadventurepark.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dorset Adventure Park</a> are in the village.  If you want to see your village in miniature, visit <a href="https://www.corfecastlemodelvillage.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Corfe Castle Model Village</a>. Drive – or take the leisurely <a href="https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swanage Steam Railway</a> – to Swanage, with its sandy, family friendly beach, shops and and 320-acre <a href="https://www.durlston.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reseve</a>. Water sports galore along the coast. Bird sanctuary <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/arne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RSPB Arne</a>, <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brownsea Island</a> nature reserve, <a href="https://www.careyssecretgarden.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carey’s Secret Garden</a>, Monkey World, Tank Museum, The Blue Pool and the archetypal Dorset landmarks of Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door – are all on the doorstep.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>The Swanage Railway Museum is in the village. In the vicinity: the <a href="https://www.purbeckfilm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purbeck Film Festival</a>, <a href="https://swanagejazzfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swanage Jazz Festival</a>, the <a href="https://www.swanage-blues.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swanage Blues Festival</a> and the <a href="https://themowlem.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mowlem Theatre</a> on the seafront screens films and shows. Within half an hour you can be in Poole for the multi-space <a href="https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lighthouse Poole</a>, one of the main cultural venues on the south coast, with touring musicals, comedy, drama, music, art and kids shows; the Poole Harbour Festival and the boutique beach Sandfest. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>A mix of gorgeous period and more modern properties, it&#8217;s not the cheapest, with an average price of £569,900. Detached properties sold for an average of £677,000, semis for £255,000, and terraced for £450,000.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="655" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/corfe-castle-Screenshot-2024-12-03-at-10-58-39-Corfe-Castle-Wareham-Dorset-DOMVS-1000x655.png" alt="house for sale corfe castle dorset" class="wp-image-103337" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/corfe-castle-Screenshot-2024-12-03-at-10-58-39-Corfe-Castle-Wareham-Dorset-DOMVS-1000x655.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/corfe-castle-Screenshot-2024-12-03-at-10-58-39-Corfe-Castle-Wareham-Dorset-DOMVS-800x524.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/corfe-castle-Screenshot-2024-12-03-at-10-58-39-Corfe-Castle-Wareham-Dorset-DOMVS-400x262.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/corfe-castle-Screenshot-2024-12-03-at-10-58-39-Corfe-Castle-Wareham-Dorset-DOMVS-768x503.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/corfe-castle-Screenshot-2024-12-03-at-10-58-39-Corfe-Castle-Wareham-Dorset-DOMVS.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A <a href="https://domvs.co.uk/properties/sale/wareham/wareham/corfe-castle-wareham-dorset-5/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">detached 5-bedder</a> tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac, £995,000</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>Options include Corfe Castle Community Pre-school and nearby Explorers Childcare Group and Mount Scar Cygnets Playgroup, are all rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Corfe Castle Primary School and nearby Swanage Primary, Swanage St Mark’s C of E Priamary and secondary The Swanage School are all rated Ofsted ‘Good’. Independent Schools include Bournemouth Collegiate School and Prep; <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/bryanston-school/">Bryanston School</a> and <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/bryanston-prep-dorset/">Bryanston Prep</a>, <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/canford-school-wimborne/">Canford School</a>, Milton Abbbey and Clayesmore School.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Corfe Castle was Kirren Castle in Enid Blyton&#8217;s Famous Five books. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s less than a 10 min drive to Wareham where you can jump on a train and get to London Waterloo from around 2 hrs 20 mins.</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Corfe Castle

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