For the first time in nearly four centuries, visitors can now access a medieval tower at Corfe Castle, a historic site in Dorset, England. The King’s Tower, originally built around 1107 for King Henry I, has reopened to the public with a special viewing platform designed to offer a glimpse into its regal past.
Corfe Castle, a formidable fortress constructed by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, was largely destroyed during the English Civil War in 1646. Perched atop a 55-metre-high hill and constructed with gleaming white Purbeck limestone, the Keep was an architectural marvel of its time. The King’s Tower, at 23 metres tall, provided luxurious living quarters for Henry I, including a garderobe – an early ensuite – and an ‘appearance door’ that allowed the monarch to address his subjects.
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This viewing platform, erected by the National Trust as part of a major £2 million conservation project, offers visitors a rare chance to stand where medieval kings once ruled. As James Gould, Operations Manager at Corfe Castle, explained:
Henry I wanted Corfe Castle to be one of his most splendid royal palaces and fitted it out with the latest decoration and fashionable facilities. His exclusive penthouse-style royal living quarters at the top of the Keep really was cutting-edge for its time.
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The platform was granted rare permission by Historic England, allowing visitors to enjoy panoramic views of the Purbeck countryside and inspect the tower’s ‘appearance door’ up close. These conservation efforts, which began in 2023, aim to protect the castle from the impacts of climate change. The restoration process involves specialist masons working with traditional techniques and materials to preserve the historic structure.
Corfe Castle – photo by Chin tin tin / Wikimedia Commons
Gould added:
There is so much history to explore at Corfe through the eyes of kings both famous and infamous, and visitors will have a unique chance to experience it from this special vantage point. I’m personally excited to witness the changing seasons high above the landscape just as the kings of old would have.
Corfe Castle has a storied history of royal use. While Henry I introduced modern amenities for his time, King John later made extensive use of the castle, both as a luxurious residence and a grim prison for political enemies.
The viewing platform, designed to avoid impacting the castle’s structure, will remain in place for a year or until the conservation project is completed. Ticket sales will contribute to the restoration efforts, which have already received £150,000 from the Wolfson Foundation and funding from the National Trust. However, an additional £100,000 is still needed to secure the project’s completion.
“We are extremely grateful to Historic England for allowing the platform to be erected to aid fundraising and secure the castle’s future,” Gould said. “The platform is something we have never built here before and might never repeat again, so we hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to come and visit and experience a window into the world of kings.”
For the first time in nearly four centuries, visitors can now access a medieval tower at Corfe Castle, a historic site in Dorset, England. The King’s Tower, originally built around 1107 for King Henry I, has reopened to the public with a special viewing platform designed to offer a glimpse into its regal past.
Corfe Castle, a formidable fortress constructed by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, was largely destroyed during the English Civil War in 1646. Perched atop a 55-metre-high hill and constructed with gleaming white Purbeck limestone, the Keep was an architectural marvel of its time. The King’s Tower, at 23 metres tall, provided luxurious living quarters for Henry I, including a garderobe – an early ensuite – and an ‘appearance door’ that allowed the monarch to address his subjects.
This viewing platform, erected by the National Trust as part of a major £2 million conservation project, offers visitors a rare chance to stand where medieval kings once ruled. As James Gould, Operations Manager at Corfe Castle, explained:
Henry I wanted Corfe Castle to be one of his most splendid royal palaces and fitted it out with the latest decoration and fashionable facilities. His exclusive penthouse-style royal living quarters at the top of the Keep really was cutting-edge for its time.
The platform was granted rare permission by Historic England, allowing visitors to enjoy panoramic views of the Purbeck countryside and inspect the tower’s ‘appearance door’ up close. These conservation efforts, which began in 2023, aim to protect the castle from the impacts of climate change. The restoration process involves specialist masons working with traditional techniques and materials to preserve the historic structure.
Gould added:
There is so much history to explore at Corfe through the eyes of kings both famous and infamous, and visitors will have a unique chance to experience it from this special vantage point. I’m personally excited to witness the changing seasons high above the landscape just as the kings of old would have.
Corfe Castle has a storied history of royal use. While Henry I introduced modern amenities for his time, King John later made extensive use of the castle, both as a luxurious residence and a grim prison for political enemies.
The viewing platform, designed to avoid impacting the castle’s structure, will remain in place for a year or until the conservation project is completed. Ticket sales will contribute to the restoration efforts, which have already received £150,000 from the Wolfson Foundation and funding from the National Trust. However, an additional £100,000 is still needed to secure the project’s completion.
“We are extremely grateful to Historic England for allowing the platform to be erected to aid fundraising and secure the castle’s future,” Gould said. “The platform is something we have never built here before and might never repeat again, so we hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to come and visit and experience a window into the world of kings.”
Top Image: A visitor looks out of the Kings’ view window from a scaffolding platform at Corfe Castle, Dorset | © National Trust – Richard Gregory
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