Description
Corfe Castle Model Village is a charming heritage attraction located in the heart of Corfe Castle village on the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset. It features a detailed 1/20th scale model of Corfe Castle and the surrounding village as it appeared in 1646, allowing visitors to step back in time. The attraction is suitable for families, history lovers, and visitors of all ages looking for a relaxed and educational day out.
The model village was opened to the public in 1966 and was carefully handcrafted, with many buildings featuring Purbeck stone roofs made from individual miniature tiles. Visitors can compare the model castle with the real ruins visible from the gardens, helping bring the site’s Civil War history to life. The attraction also includes traditional English gardens, wildlife areas with a bird hide, giant family games, an Enchanted Fairy Garden, fossil corner, life-size Civil War soldiers, a gift shop, and the Potting Shed Miniature Museum. There are terraces with views of the Purbeck Hills and Corfe Castle, and plenty of space to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Admission prices are £5.00 for adults, £3.80 for children, £15.50 for a family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children), with children aged 3 and under free and carers free.
Corfe Castle Model Village offers a peaceful, imaginative, and educational experience in a beautiful historic setting. Its combination of history, gardens, play elements, and café facilities makes it enjoyable for both children and adults. With affordable pricing and a central village location close to the Jurassic Coast, it is an excellent attraction for a family day out in Dorset.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
The Model Village
- Opened to the public in 1966, Corfe Castle Model Village depicts the castle and village as it was in 1646. You can compare the real castle with the model castle from our garden; this gives a fantastic idea of how it used to look prior to its destruction by Oliver Cromwell’s troops during the English Civil War, when it was home to Lady Bankes.
- Built to 1/20th scale at the height of fashion for model villages, Corfe Castle Model Village was the brainwave of Mr. Eddie Holland, a local businessman. Mr. Holland first had the idea in the 1950s and wanted the model to be situated close to the real castle.
- When the property Drury’s (Dr. Dru Drury’s home and practise), in the Square of Corfe Castle, came on the market, he felt it was ideal for his plan. It took two years to build. The castle was built in situ on a man-made mound.
Gardens and Games
- There is an awful lot more to do than just admire the Model Village. Set in an acre, the first two lawns have been tended for many generations as traditional English gardens. Outstanding views of the Purbeck Hills can be enjoyed, reaching to the Rings in the distance.
- Our garden is a haven for wildlife, with a fantastic array of birds visiting, and more recently the rare hawksbill moth has been sighted frequently during summer. The far end of our garden is given over to wildlife, with limited cultivating; we have a bird hide, where you can watch the birds visiting our bird station.
- In winter, you could disturb the brightly coloured male pheasants, and summer you can watch swallows and swifts screeching through the sky high above feeding on insects. At dusk out come the bats, diving feet away from you.
Courtyard Café and Tea Room
- Enjoy our 17th century courtyard setting for an alfresco dining experience. Whether you visit the Model Village or not, you can enjoy our 17th century courtyard setting for an alfresco dining experience.
- We serve Dorset cream teas (we bake all our own scones) and light lunches – freshly prepared sandwiches, baguettes, baked potatoes, quiches and delicious homemade soup – all made on the premises, and we try to source many of our ingredients locally.
- Our aim is to provide good quality local food at reasonable prices in a relaxed atmosphere. There is a lovely terrace in the Model Village where you can enjoy dining with wide-reaching views of the Purbeck Hills, the castle and our gardens.
Included in your visit to the Model Village and Gardens:
- Enchanted Fairy Garden
- Fossil Corner
- Giant games for all the family
- Wildlife Garden with hide and bird feeding station
- The Potting Shed Miniature Museum and Information Centre
- Life-size Civil War soldiers, guarding our castle
- Village punishment area for scoundrels, with working stocks and pillories
- Gift Shop, selling local produce and fun gifts for all the family
- Terrace for refreshments with sweeping views of the surrounding hills and castle
- Courtyard Café and Tea Room serving fresh local produce in a 17th century courtyard setting, open to everyone whether visiting the Model Village or not
Apart from the fauna and flora, we have introduced giant games for all the family to enjoy:
- Fancy a game of Giant Draughts?
- Or Hi-Tower where you build the tower and then take turns to remove a piece and add it to the top without making the whole tower tumble. Can reach 5ft in play!
- Big 4, a giant version of the table top game, requiring skill, strategy and a sharp eye as players aim to get four counters in a row, whilst stopping their opponent from doing the same.
- For little children, there is an Enchanted Fairy Walk and Garden. “Look for fairies, they like to hide, but beware the goblin, they eat sandwiches made of children!”
- Fire their imagination or relive your own childhood (if you believe in fairies and goblins, of course).
6.31 miles
