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Festival of Archaeology: The Heritage Ranger Team in Purbeck

Discover the work of the Heritage Archaeology Ranger Team on the Purbeck estate.

  • Booking not needed
  • Free event

Come and meet our Heritage Archaeology Ranger Team volunteers who monitor over 700 sites on the Purbeck Estate. There are an extraordinary variety of archaeological sites from Bronze Age Barrows to King Stephen's Ring and Bailey Castle and the industrial archaeology of the Purbeck limestone industry. The results from the HART volunteers work feeds into the Nature Conservation Plan for the Purbeck Estate, an important aspect of their work.

Walks- booking essential. On the day you can join us for a walk across a variety of sites from a ruined mill to a Ring and Bailey Castle and the Hawes and see our volunteers at work and, if you'd like to, have a go yourself.

Walk times: 10:30 & 14:00. Meet at North Barn. Booking essential - please see separate entry to book your place.

Times

The basics

Suitability

Children welcome.

Meeting point

Meet at North Barn, which is in the field opposite the Visitor Centre car park. Please note this event is not in the castle.

What to bring and wear

Wear clothing suitable for the outdoors.

Accessibility

North Barn is situated in a field with uneven ground surface.

Upcoming events

Event

Flight of the Castle family quest with Nosy Crow 

Can you take flight to discover the birds that call Corfe Castle home as you explore the ruins? Hunt for the quest boards around the castle each featuring illustrations from the book, A Story of the Seasons.

Event summary

on
21 May to 18 Jul 2025
at
10:00 to 16:30
+ 58 other dates or times
Event

Guided tour and Kings’ view experience 

Travel through time with a guided journey through Corfe Castle, ending with an exclusive ascent to the new Kings’ view platform. A breath taking view not experienced since the castle’s destruction in 1646.

Event summary

on
22 May to 18 Jul 2025
at
10:30 to 12:00
+ 95 other dates or times
Event

Guided Walk - The Purbeck Ridgeway and East Corfe Common 

Join our friendly guide on a guided walk exploring the cultural history of the landscape surrounding the village of Corfe Castle.

Event summary

on
22 May to 23 Jul 2025
at
13:00 to 15:30
+ 1 other date or time
Event

Artisan Crafts 

Watch demonstrations of heritage crafts from our friendly artisan volunteers.

Event summary

on
23 May to 26 Dec 2025
at
10:00 to 14:00
+ 31 other dates or times