“We love because he first loved us”
1 John 4:19
Let’s travel today, what do you say?! Butch and I took a trip to the British Isles, and you may remember going with us to the well known Liverpool, England, (even checking out the music scene here), Edinburgh, Scotland and Dublin, Ireland. But we visited a few lesser known cities such as Newcastle and Portland! And boy, were we in for a beautiful surprise as our ship docked in Portland Harbour, England! We had booked a tour to a castle that we knew nothing about…we just decided to take our chances. I have often heard people say, “if you have seen one castle or church, you have seen them all.” I couldn’t disagree more! They are all unique with their own history and beauty! I had read that all that remained of Corfe Castle were ruins…and that just made me want to go even more….I don’t know why, but I love a ‘good ruin”! It turned out to be one of our favorite stops among the four countries that we visited and oh-so-intriguing! Come along as we take you to medieval hilltop ruins, a quaint English village, and a lovely man-made harbour. Why not enjoy a “spot of tea” as we travel!
The dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle stand on a natural steep hill.
The first castle building was probably built of wood. In the latter half of the 11th century, William the Conqueror rebuilt the Castle in stone. The chalk of the hill Corfe Castle was built on was an unsuitable building material, so Purbeck limestone quarried a few miles away was used.
For the next 600 years, Corfe Castle was used by the monarchs of England as a royal fortress.
Standing at the ruins of Corfe Castle, you have a view of Corfe Castle village and St. Edwards Church. The parish church is dedicated to King Edward who was killed in 978, on orders of his “wicked stepmother”.
In the 13th century a large church was built. Great damage was suffered during the 17th century as a result of the struggle between Puritanism and conservatism in the church. Further decline continued in the following centuries. In 1859, the state of the church was so bad that everything except the tower was torn down and a new Gothic-style church was built.
Doors always interest me…these are located on the side of the church!
A lovely view of Corfe Castle village
In 1572, Corfe Castle left the Crown’s control when Elizabeth I sold it. It was sold again in 1635.
The English Civil War broke out in 1642. By 1643, most of Dorset was occupied by the Parliamentarians. In February 1646, the castle was sieged a second time and destroyed by the Parliamentarians.
The ruins offered great photo opps!
We loved this view from the castle ruins of a thatched roof cottage!
Can you imagine living in this quaint house surrounded by green rolling hills and a view of the castle ruins?
Walking down from the ruins, we were met by this charming, but small village named Corfe Castle!
We strolled the streets and enjoyed the unique shops…
…quaint homes…(hmmm…could that be “that particular shade of blue“?)
…English tea rooms…
…and bed and breakfast lodging!
As we exited an ice cream shop, we caught this view of the ruins above the village. Oh, I must tell you, the ice cream was made from fresh cream and it was absolutely heavenly!
The castle ruins stand majestically against the puffy white clouds and beautiful blue sky!
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A last look as we departed the castle ruins and village!
Returning from the castle to the Isle of Portland, a craggy peninsula of the English Channel coast. The famous Portland stone quarried here has been used for many well-known buildings including St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and the United Nations Building in New York. Portland is the southernmost point of the county Dorset and is a central part of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site.
Portland Harbour is one of the largest man made harbours in the world. It played prominent roles during the First and Second World Wars. It was used for sailing competitions during the 2012 Olympic Games.
We hope you enjoyed touring with us! Travel is an education that expands our horizons, even if we just read and view from someone else’s eyes! Armchair travel, which I do often, is still a great way to see the world and learn of distant lands, histories, and cultures!
Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, 21 Rosemary Lane, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined, My Romantic Home, Poofing The Pillows
Lovely village and wonderful castle ruins, Pam. I enjoy your travel posts. The British Isles are an area I would love to see someday. Thanks for sharing.
Rita, thanks so much! I enjoy travel posts because it jogs my memory and I do a little research which I love! Wishing you a wonderful Thursday!
Loving the tour you took us on! Sitting here, early in the morning with my coffee and just taking in all the wonderful Architecture. Such a nice way to wake up.
Sweet and gracious comments, Christine! Wishing you a fabulous Thursday!
Yes, I did enjoy my trip with you this morning! Thank you both for sharing your lovely pictures and the information you learned there. The ruins are magnificent and, I’m sure, even more-so in person. And, I would love to live in that “thatch-roofed cottage with a view”. Thursday blessings~
Kim, I can just imagine life in that little cottage…it has captured my imagination once again in writing the post! Blessings for your Thursday!
I always enjoy your travel posts. Such a precious and beautiful community.
Thank you for joining us today and wishing you a peaceful weekend.
Jemma-TOHOT
Thanks for traveling with us! Wishing you a beautiful Thursday!
Looks beautiful Pam and so interesting too. I’ve never been to Dorset, we should have spent a holiday there last August but had to cancel last minute – now you remind me we must go there sometime!! Really enjoyed this post.
Thanks so much, Joy! We were surprised at how much we enjoyed the ruins…incredible! It is funny how we travel far and wide, and yet miss things in the USA. We are planning to mix business and pleasure in the Pacific NW (Washington and Oregon) this summer. We have never visited those 2 states.
Passing this post on for my husband to read because I know he will enjoy your commentary and great pictures. He will know and appreciate the history.
Passed the sign close to Birmingham to 459 to Gadsden this morning and thought of you. We are headed to Huntsville. One of these days I’d love to meet you in Birmingham.
Congrats on being featured on A Stroll Thru Life.
Bonnie, I would love to meet up in B’ham! Do you have family in H’ville? Thanks and congrats to you for your feature on Share Your Style! Be safe!
Beautiful pictures! For some reason I’ve always been attracted to ruins. I guess it’s the idea of daydreaming about what it must have been like to live there. Also all the things those walls must have seen. There’s so much history there!
Thanks so much for traveling with us! I agree, so much to be learned! Have a beautiful weekend!
So lovely! Looks just like the Vicar of Dibley would walk around the corner!
Thanks for traveling with us, Leslie Anne! Have a beautiful weekend!
What a charming town! I would love to visit. I’m going on vacation to Edinburgh next week. 🙂
Ali, thanks for visiting! I have been to Edinburgh, you will love it! Safe travels!
What a beautiful photo tour! Thank you for sharing your adventure with us. And I agree with you, doors are so interesting! Especially on a stone or brick wall.
Audra, thanks so much! We are so thrilled to do a little travel.
Blessings,
Pam
What a beautiful little village! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Thanks, Sherry! Happy Wednesday!
What a wonderful trip that must have been Pam! I dream of taking one some day. I traced my husbands family all the way to Kinnaird Castle in Scotland! I would love to take our boys there.
Pamela, I sure hope you get to Scotland and Ireland…both beautiful countries!
What a fabulous tour, thank you for sharing all the photos. I totally agree, every church and stone-built castle is unique. I love that experience of touching a building that has stood for 1000 years or more, and know it will long outlive me too. That sense of history is so awe inspiring.
I think my comment got lost. Touching the side of a building 1000 years old, I love that sense of history, it is just awe inspiring. I agree, every castle and church is unique, with the workmanship not seen today and those gorgeous one of a kind stained glass windows. Great post, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Carole…we love to travel and see what we weren’t even expecting!
I do enjoy seeing the world through your camera lens. You always link up the most fascinating places and I don’t get tired of seeing castles. They all have their own character and history. Thanks for sharing again at this month’s Take Me Away Party! Enjoy your weekend!
Shelley
Thank you Shelley for your travel party. We have been very fortunate to travel the last 13 years!