Corfe Castle has been guarding the gateway through the Purbeck hills since Roman times. The area has always been of strategic importance and forms a natural passage through the high surrounding hills of Dorset Purbeck stone. The Castle can be reliably dated to the reign of William the Conqueror. During the Civil War the Castle was a Royalist stronghold and was blown up by the Parliamentarians to prevent its future use. Today the Castle stands as a ruin, bordered impressively by the imposing Purbeck hills.