Dorset - Sandford Park Day 8 - Corfe Castle

Day 8 of our Dorset holiday and we dragged the kids out for a wander around Corfe Castle. I say dragged because Joshua had absolutely zero interest in walking around an old castle and commented that they all look the same. He couldn't have been more wrong really as Corfe castle is absolutely stunning and there was tons of activities for the kiddies to do including archery, shield designing, old hand tennis, clue hunts etc.etc.

We had a really good day out exploring the castle, taking in the stunning views, watching some steam trains pass and then topping it off with a lovely Cornish pasty and Eccles cake. Again loads of pictures from today and this is only a small snap shot of the amount I took in total.

Distant view of the castle from where we finally found a parking space!

Getting closer the the ruins look incredible.

Enroute we found this old well which was restored in memory of Princess Diane.

Holly with a rusty old suit of armour.

Explaining to Holly how an old trebuchet works.

Me and Brandon playing medieval tennis with your hands and a string ball.

The hike up to the castle gates.

Joshua didn't want to play and Holly and Brandon were no match for me in a tug-of-war!

Holly getting pretty close to the pin for the loop throwing game.

Brandon having a go on the loops.

As we start our ascent up to the castle the views looking down are spectacular.

Searching out some of the treasure trail / hunt.

Still standing after a 1000 years, will it be there in another 1000?

Tina and the kids at the main entrance to the castle.

Holly loved exploring the castle and running around all the rooms.

Parts of the castle were certainly built on a very steep gradient.

Holly searching out clues.

Taking a look out of the window.

About the best place for Brandon to be. Anyway bring any eggs or wet sponges?

Holly posing in the ruins.

Brandon and Tina taking in the views.

Brandon was quite fascinated with the history and learning about the castle.

Holly was here, there and everywhere. Often out of site.

Inside the main part of the castle looking up.

View looking down from the main castle.

More of the beauty of Corfe castle.

This must have been such an amazing building in its day.

View looking back down at the castle entrance.

Two of the taller parts of the castle which still remain.

Amazing brickwork on the arches.

From the castle you could see the old steam trains which run out to Swanage.

More of the steam trains.

It is becoming increasingly more and more difficult to try and get a nice picture of all 3 kids!

Brandon was trying to climb anything that looked climbable.

More of the ruins.

Brandon perched up high on one of the castle walls.

More of the castle.

Starting to work our way back down to get some lunch.

Uh oh, some of the ruins start to fall over so we all go to the rescue to hold them up!

Holly searching for the stone with her star sign on it.

So many to chose from.

I found Aries the ram.

Brandon found his star sign.

A door way only Holly could squeeze through.

We 5 King's in front of the ruins.

We had a great time exploring the castle.

Brandon wasn't done with climbing yet. I a sure that metal rail was supposed to stop people going up here!

Down they all come.

Tina and Holly with Brandon hiding from the camera.

Me and the wifey. We do try our best.

That look of aggression and concentration.

Brandon more composed as he lets an arrow fly.

Designing our own shields of honour on some chalk board shields.

Enjoying some pasties and cakes on Corfe square.

Such a beautiful little village.

Just chilling and watching the world go by.

The kids liked the look of the steam trains so we planned a another day in the holiday to jump on one to go to Swanage.