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A medieval tower has opened to the public at Corfe Castle for the first time in nearly 400 years.
The King’s Tower was first built in the 11th Century to be Henry I’s luxurious personal quarters – but was partly destroyed in the Civil War in 1646.
The 23-metre tower in question – made from white Purbeck limestone – acted as King Henry I’s personal penthouse and was built to the highest standards of luxury at the time. It even included an “appearance door” where he could be seen by his subjects far below – similar to how the balcony at Buckingham Palace is used today.
Now, thanks to the recent conservation project at the castle, visitors can access the former royal living quarters after 378 years.
The new National Trust viewing platform invites visitors to soak up views the Purbeck countryside from the royal viewpoint and offers the chance to see the historic ‘appearance door’ up close.
James Gould, Operations Manager at Corfe Castle, said: “Henry I wanted Corfe Castle to be one of his most splendid royal palaces and fitted it out with the latest decoration and fashionable facilities.
“His exclusive penthouse-style royal living quarters at the top of the Keep really was cutting-edge for its time.”
The move is part of a wider £2million conservation project to protect Corfe Castle from the impact of climate change.
This three-year project will see specialist masons working from ropes and on scaffolding to conserve the stonework, using similar techniques and materials to those of their predecessors nearly 1,000 years ago.
Originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, Corfe Castle was once one of the most formidable castles in the country and an architectural masterpiece of its time.
10 English country homes made famous through film
Hampton Court Palace, Greater London
There have been 36 film and TV productions here, including The Theory of Everything, Jack the Giant Slayer, and Pirate of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
Visit the Country Living Pavilion at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show this year. Get your tickets here.
Wrotham Park, Hertfordshire
There have been 35 film and TV productions here, including Bridget Jones’s Diary, Jeeves and Wooster and Kingsman: The Secret Service.
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
There have been 35 film and TV productions here, including Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Black Beauty.
Hatfield House, Hertfordshire
There have been 34 film and TV productions here, including Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Batman Begins and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Luton Hoo House, Bedfordshire
There have been 31 film and TV productions here, including The World is Not Enough, Four Weddings and a Funeral and War Horse.
Knebworth House, Hertfordshire
There have been 27 film and TV productions here, including Batman, Paddington 2 and Eyes Wide Shut.
Chavenage House, Gloucestershire
There have been 21 film and TV productions here, including Poldark, Lark Rise to Candleford and Tess of the D’Ubervilles.
Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
There have been 20 film and TV productions here, includingSherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, The Queen and The Counselor.
Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
There have been 19 film and TV productions here, including Jane Eyre (2011), Pride and Prejudice (2005) and The Duchess.
Ham House, Greater London
There have been 18 film and TV productions here, including Sense & Sensibility, John Carter and Victoria and Abdul.
Lizzie is the Daily Editor at Country Living, where you’ll find her writing about unique property market finds and dreamy UK staycation spots. Her specialisms include interiors, property, wildlife, travel, slow living and more. Previously, she’s written for Metro, Evening Standard, Ideal Home, Woman & Home and various other home and lifestyle titles. Lizzie studied English Literature at University of Liverpool, where she also was a writer and editor for her uni paper.
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