Wednesday was our day to visit Corfe Castle in the Purbeck countryside around Studland, Dorset county. The Isle of Purbeck is a peninsula in Dorset. It is bordered by water on three sides: the English Channel to the south and east, where steep cliffs fall to the sea; and by the marshy lands of the River Frome and Poole Harbour to the north. We took a short ferry ride to the peninsula. Not being a long ride, we were allowed to stay in the car for the trip across the channel.
Once landed, we were off. Naturally for the four of us it was getting time for morning coffee and cake. We were lucky enough to find Manor Farm for our treats! It was a lovely small place off the road in the countryside. The proprietor was so friendly telling us how she had always wanted to run this type of an establishment and that after having five children she was finally able to do so!
The quaint interior space for eating was delightful. She makes all of her cakes daily for the pleasure of the folks like us who stop by. They all looked scrumptious but particularly intriguing were the Apple and Carrot cakes!
Back on the road winding through the Purbeck countryside the views were just stunning. We made a couple of stops in the car pull-aways along the road to take in that countryside and take some pictures to keep those memories.
It was a great, relaxing and beautiful drive all the way to Corfe Castle which is
a village and civil parish in the English county of Dorset. It is the site of a
ruined castle also named Corfe Castle. The village and castle stand over a gap
in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage. The village lies
in the gap below the castle and is around four miles south-east of Wareham, and
four miles north-northwest of Swanage. The civil parish of Corfe Castle
stretches across the width of the Isle of Purbeck, with coasts facing both the
English Channel and Poole Harbour. It, therefore, includes sections of both the
low-lying sandy heathland that lies to the north of the castle and the rugged
Jurassic Coast upland to the south.
Corfe Castle has been part of the Purbeck landscape for nearly a thousand years. Built by William the Conqueror in the eleventh-century, it remained a royal castle until the reign of Elizabeth I and persisted as an awe-inspiring feat of medieval military might until it was destroyed in an English Civil War.
The name "Corfe" is derived from the Old English word, ceorfan, meaning to cut or carve, referring to the gap in the Purbeck hills where Corfe Castle is situated. King Edward the Martyr was murdered in Corfe on the evening of 18 March 978. We began our walk from the car park up to the ruins of the castle.
The Village sets at the top of the walking path. The entrance to the castle is though the edge of the village. It is a quaint small village with lots of history.
Approaching the entrance to Corfe Castle is the National Trust gift shop and offices. They have lined the wall with many interesting historical stories through the years. I found them all very interesting but this one about the year 978 with the murder of King Edward the Martyr particularly caught my attention.
It was wonderful to hike and stroll through all of the ruins of Corfe Castle. It sets your imagination free to make stories in your mind of the battles that it has seen and the every-day life that existed through the years. We really enjoyed being here!
As we walked down to the village on the way out and back to the car park, we stopped in at The Greyhound Inn which is reportedly one of England's oldest Coaching Inns. The sign out front says "Early parts of the property were built prior to 1580. The Greyhound took its name from the Kings messengers who rode between Corfe Castle and the four other Royal Castles of England." Then below stating "The Most Photographed Pub in England". Most photographed? True or not, I took a photo!!!
The drive back to Devon was just as beautiful as coming. We had booked dinner at The Old Thatch Inn for dinner with the four of us joined by Sarah and David. It is a great place to have meal and engage in all types of conversation. We really enjoyed our time there. Sarah and David are always a joy to be with and get to know better with each encounter.
Thursday was a "see stuff but relax from the sights" day! To start our day we had breakfast outside on the patio and talked about things we had seen on the trip and a whole slew of other things! Very relaxing and enjoyable. Our day was to be spent at The Devon County Show. We had an enjoyable time taking in all of exhibits, youth entries, barns, products, animal exhibits and more. The Devon County Show is like our county fairs here in the states. Just a fun day! Welcome to the Devon County Show!
This booth intrigued me ... cooking huge style for big parties if you are throwing one!
Agricultural machines, cars, England's version of 4-H youth participation, animals and more are all at The Devon Show!
While having our lunch at a picnic table we were able to watch the horse jumping competition. Great way to spend an afternoon and watch some real talent!
Just a couple of examples of the food booths at the show .... coffee of all brews and pasties of all flavors --- Cornish Pasties of course!!
Returning home to Owls Retreat we relaxed and then took a walk around the property in the back gardens. Ray and Sandra found us each a pair of Wellies Boots to put on as the far garden by the ponds tends to retain water and is mushy in spots. Entering the lawn area is a sun dial that the grandkids gave Ray for his 80th birthday which says " Grandad Grigg's Garden - Happy 80th Birthday.
The patio that we have breakfast is where the umbrella on the right is next to the conservatory room on the left. Either is a relaxing place just to look out and view the gardens.
Ray has a greenhouse for many of his plants and there are seedlings that are getting ready for planting on the picnic table next to the greenhouse.
After the manicured grass lawn there is a split rail wooden fence that goes on with more of the property that has the ponds and wild grass that just grows! Looking towards the house from that fence that separates the two lawns of the property, on the right is Ray's large garden that is fenced in to keep deer, rabbits and other garden-raiding animals for getting to the produce and gives Ray and Sandra a chance to reap some of the rewards for themselves!!!
Then turning around and facing the other direction is the other part of the garden with the non-manicured grass and the ponds.
Our plans for the evening were having dinner with Jane and Andy at The Stables in Crawley by Exeter. Another fabulous pub with terrific food and atmosphere. We had such a marvelous time with Jane and Andy that I forgot to take a picture of any of us to memorialize the evening! Guess we will have to return to get one!
With that, May 17th and 18th come to an end! All the pictures are at this link.
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