With just two more days left of the school holidays and last week’s washout of a Bank Holiday renamed ‘Monopoly Monday’, yesterday we decided to go on an adventure in Dorset. Our destination was Corfe Castle. My three have devoured most of Enid Blyton’s books over the years, as their parents did before them, and so a trek to Dorset’s iconic medieval castle, inspiration for Kirrin Castle was on the bucket list of things to do before they all reach secondary school.
I’d like to say that we packed a picnic in a wicker basket with homemade ginger beer taken from the larder and the sandwiches were wrapped in brown paper and string. However, as we’ve done that before and this was a day off for Mum as well as the rest of the family we took the wicker basket to a well known supermarket deli and chose our own salad selections, boiled eggs, pork pies and cakes.
On arrival the car was parked at the National Trust visitor’s centre, (an airy space with comfy sofas, good coffee, ice creams and clean toilets) and we set off with our picnic in true Famous Five style along a path, through several kissing gates, across a railway line and along a farmer’s field to our chosen picnic spot. To add to the atmosphere a steam train puffed along the track right on cue. We waved to the passengers and they waved back.
Our picnic consumed, we retraced our steps to the visitor centre and set off towards the castle. Even in flipflops the steep climb was easy as the path was wide and well made, climbing slowly, skimming the edge of the river in places and providing enchanting glimpses of the walls as we headed higher. Dotted along the way of this ‘Wildlife Walk’ were interpretation boards with fascinating facts about the wildlife around the castle.
The castle itself has a full programme of seasonal events for families throughout the year, including Christmas, and plenty to keep children interested including giant outdoor games and the Castle Quest, complete with dressing up clothes.
Sadly mine regard themselves as too old for this and eschewed the chance to put on very authentic looking helmets and engage in sword play. For us it was enough to explore the romantic castle ruins and marvel at the way the walls are still standing despite major subsidence due to attack by gunpowder during the Civil War.
We spotted arrow loops and murder holes, took in the breathtaking views
and checked out the wildplants that grow there. Before we left the castle we inspected the Mason’s Lodge, a traditional timber building in the Outer Bailey used to teach traditional skills and crafts. We wouldn’t have minded rolling up our sleeves and taking part in some daubing. Maybe next time or in another place?
An explore of the village outside the castle revealed plenty of opportunity to replenish lost energy…..
…and the diminutive Ginger Pop Shop, dedicated to all things Enid Blyton, complete with Wishing Chair outside, minus wings today, and with no pixie, making it perfectly safe to accommodate two happy children.
The village itself is pretty, with a parish church, with a medieval tower, shops, cafes with enormous cakes and a common worth exploring.
Taking the playful route back to the car to burn off those ice cream and cream tea calories we headed off.
It was well worth the two hour car journey from Bradford on Avon. No downpours, no phones or computers. A good family day out and a great way to round off the summer holidays.
Postcards from the Plot 