The Fox Inn: 16th Century Pub In Corfe, Dorset
The Fox Inn is reputed to be the oldest pub in Corfe, Dorset.
The Fox Inn is a unique inn, offering superb food, drink and gardens with stunning views of Corfe Castle and the surrounding hills.
Reputed to be the oldest pub in Corfe, The Fox Inn is a delightful 16th century family run pub near the centre of the village, steeped in local history.
The Inn retains many of the original features and links to the stone industry for which the area is famous.
Many of the present buildings in the village were built using Purbeck Stone from the castle after its destruction by parliementary forces in 1646.
Most of the older village houses date from the 16th to the 19th century.
The quarrying of the local Purbeck Stone would have been an important industry for the village.
Corfe was home to many of the Quarry owners and marblers, who would also have had their yards for dressing and finishing the stone.
In recent times, The Fox Inn has been sympathetically brought up to date to meet modern expectations without altering its intrinsic charm and atmosphere.
The historic establishment is Grade 2 listed, making it of national historic significance.
The village itself is constructed almost completely from the local grey Purbeck limestone and comprises two main streets, East Street and West Street, linked at their north end at the Square.
Around the square with its cross commemorating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee of 1897 are a number of shops, a post office, a church, three pubs and two hotels.
Plus, don’t miss the tiny Corfe Museum, located in the smallest town hall in England!
There are also some lovely marked walks near the village and castle, many with fantastic views
It’s situated behind the majestic ruins of Corfe Castle - one of Britain's most iconic and evocative survivors of the English Civil War.
Corfe Castle was built shortly after the Norman conquest of 1066. Since then, it has seen its fair share of battles, murders and miracles, and been home to kings, knights and a princess.
Perched amidst a gap in the Purbeck Hills, Corfe Castle likely served as a fortified stronghold well before the Norman conquest of 1066.
However, it was under the reign of William the Conqueror that the castle took its definitive form.
It became a pivotal component within a network of fortifications aimed at solidifying Norman rule over the subdued English populace.
In the aftermath of the conquest, the Normans swiftly erected makeshift wooden palisades atop artificial mounds known as 'mottes' for defense.
Notably, Corfe Castle's natural motte was among the earliest to be encircled by sturdy stone walls, underscoring its strategic significance.
Adjacent to these formidable walls, within what is now the western bailey, William commissioned the construction of a stone hall, remnants of which endure as the castle's oldest surviving section.
Evidence suggests the utilisation of local masons, evident in the distinctive Saxon herringbone construction style.
Corfe's strategic importance lay in its role as a bulwark securing the Norman connection with their homeland across the English Channel, a significance recognised by William and his successors.
The keep at Corfe Castle was built in the early 12th century for King Henry I, William the Conqueror’s son. It was designed to be impressive – and it certainly was.
Standing 21 metres tall, and positioned atop a 55-metre-high hill, this gleaming tower of Purbeck limestone could be seen from miles around.
Quarried just a few miles away, Purbeck limestone was prized for being easy to shape yet tough enough to resist weathering.
In the 1640s, England was in the grip of civil war and Corfe Castle found itself on the front line of conflict between Parliament and King Charles I.
The Bankes family supported King Charles I (the Cavaliers) against Oliver Cromwell (the Roundheads).
Lady Mary Bankes led the defence of Corfe Castle during not just one but two sieges while her husband was away serving the King.
Corfe’s tiny garrison was outnumbered; Mary, along with her daughters and maids, defended the battlements until she was betrayed by one of her own soldiers.
The Parliamentarians had used The Rings as their base to bombard the castle.
After six centuries of keeping enemies at bay, an Act of Parliament was passed at Wareham to destroy Corfe Castle. Captain Hughes of Lulworth was given the job of demolishing it.
His sappers dug deep holes packed with gunpowder to bring the towers and ramparts crashing down, resulting in the yawning gaps and crazy angles we see today.
Today, it’s maintained by the National Trust and a popular tourist attraction.
Visitors can discover 1,000 years of history as a royal palace and fortress - with fallen walls and secret places, there are tales of treachery and treason around every corner.
If you’re planning a trip to the castle, we highly recommend visiting The Fox Inn first.
Someone who recently visited the Inn said: “Couldn’t fault this place. Absolutely incredible food, beautifully presented and tastes just as good as it looks.
”Great ale also. The staff were polite and friendly and got the balance between being attentive but leaving you in peace just right.”
Corfe Castle is a very satisfying place to visit, full of historical interest.
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