On our way to Lyme Regis (where we’re spending a night in a glorious bed-n-breakfast called The Dower House), we took a detour south to the site of Corfe Castle. The ruin is clearly visible atop a high hill as you make your way into the village that sits at the base, the buildings there nearly as old as the castle itself.

A walk through the main gate reveals just how extensive the castle was in terms of size. Remnants of walls and towers line the way up the hill.

Once you reach the top—a somewhat treacherous climb if you’re not wearing the right kind of shoes—the views are stunning in all directions.

The keep has suffered over the thousand years since Corfe was built, some of the walls having fallen away. The basic structure remains, however.

And just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s more beyond and through the openings in the walls.

Down in the village below, you’ll find the oldest pub in England as well as the smallest town hall. And just beyond is God’s Acre, a cemetery that was consecrated by the Bishop of Salisbury.

After such a steep climb and descent, we were ready to make our way to Lyme Regis.  We’ll be on the hunt for some fossils on the morrow. Ta-ta for now!