Corfe Castle, Dorset. What a rip off! (Corfe Castle)

Member Name: Aginoth

Product:	Corfe Castle
Date:	27/08/07 (261 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 1000 years of history, imposing views

Disadvantages: expensive, no information, rude staff

We visited Corfe castle on a Thursday in August 2007. We particularly chose to go on the Thursday as the website proclaimed every Thursday in the summer holidays was a Family Fun Day, with interactive games and activities. As we have three kids under 8, who see an enormous number of castles each year with us, we thought this would be great.

Sadly it wasn't! I was really looking forward to seeing the castle, being over 1000 years old and with a good history, including two seiges during the civil war and having remained in one family (the Bankes) for the past 600 of them, I was expecting some interesting stuff.

The little museum/display in the car park was really good - and free! Then there was a nice walk through a forest path. Then we got to the castle. It was an imposing sight. Entrance, as in all these things, was through the shop. Where they tried to flog us a "treasure hunt map" for £3.00 per child, and charged £6.00 per person to step through the door, without bothering to mention that all the internal part of the castle was closed for repairs.

I do understand that repairs are vitally important and I do not mind them being carried out - even in high season, but I do expect to be told that I will not see anything, and really I would have expected a it of a discount to be honest.

We paid our money, and walked around the ruined outer keep, which was interesting. We took advantage of the (very small) buggy store as (like most castles) it was absolutely unsuitable for wheeled vehicles, but the paths were reasonably good condition.

The "family fun day" consisted of a gazeebo, under which you could make a 1" tile for £3.00, or pay £5.00 to watch someone throw a teddy bear (with parachute) off the scaffolding. You didn't even get to keep the bear! Nothing else - no activities, no historical displays - not even any dressing up! I have seen better family fun in castles as part of their every day options!

On the way back, my kids needed the toilet. We got to them to find the door shut and locked! There was another mother there also with a toddler hopping around, and she kncked on the door. After a couple of attempts it opened a crack, a head poked round and told us to go away as the toilets were closed for cleaning, then the door slammed shut again. Other mother was pretty upset, and knocked again, asking why ALL the toilets were closed if one was being cleaned (only one cleaner), and the cleaner was really rude - only allowing us in after I stuck my oar in as well and we started building up a crowd.

Finally, we exited - again through the shop. My kids had managed to find all the cards for the treasure hunt without the map, so we went to see what they got - you £3.00 would've won them a polished stone. just the one! There was a shop in Weymouth offering a bag full of the same stones for £1.50!

Overall, i was very disappointed. there were hardly any information signs, no audio tour and no staff actually insde the grounds so unless you had brought a guide book you were stuffed. The main part of the castle was closed without warning (no sign on the castle entrance, nothing from the staff and a small one liner on the websie saying some reovation work was being carried out, but not that it was closed off completely), the Family Fun day wasn't, and didn't even try to hide the fact that it was just a money grabbing scheme.

Despite the long history, I can think of 100's of other castles I would rather visit.

Summary: Look around the free display at the car park - it's better!