Visitors can now explore the King's Tower at Corfe Castle in Dorset, England, for the first time in nearly 400 years. A new stairway installed inside the keep allows visitors to see up close the remains of the king's lavish quarters and enjoy the same surrounding landscapes that previous monarchs once admired.
The Guardian, BBC News, The Independent, The Mirror, and CNN reported on the new attraction, among other news outlets.
The British National Trust has launched a £2 million conservation initiative over three years, culminating in this special viewing platform that provides access to the King's Tower, The Independent reports. The temporary platform, which required permission from Historic England due to the castle's Grade I listed status, offers a unique perspective of the Purbeck countryside from a royal viewpoint.
Starting from December 2, visitors can see up close the balcony 'appearance door' and view the Purbeck countryside from a royal perspective, Mirror reports. The 'appearance door' allowed the king to present himself before his subjects gathered in the outer bailey or visible from outside the castle walls. “It’s a bit like the balcony of Buckingham Palace, where the royal family stands to wave to everyone. This was the point from which the king could see the castle, the village, and his kingdom," James Gould, an operations manager at the castle explained, as reported by The Guardian.
The King's Tower, erected by King Henry I around 1107, was part of the fortress constructed for William the Conqueror in the 11th century. The tower stands 70 feet high over the chalk hill and was built with gleaming white Purbeck limestone, making it visible from miles around. It served as King Henry I's personal penthouse, featuring luxurious quarters and innovations like a 'garderobe,' an early version of an ensuite bathroom, BBC News reports.
The King's Tower has been inaccessible since the 17th century when parliamentary forces partially destroyed Corfe Castle during the English Civil War in 1646,
In 2020, the National Trust, which owns and manages Corfe Castle, noticed that some of the castle's stones had begun to disintegrate, prompting a larger investigation into the castle's condition.
A subsequent investigation revealed the need for significant work to protect Corfe Castle for future generations, leading to the extensive conservation initiative that began in 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2026. Skilled masons are employing traditional methods akin to those used by their medieval counterparts nearly a millennium ago while conserving the stonework from ropes and scaffolds, The Independent reports.
Gould expressed gratitude to Historic England for permitting the platform's construction, which aids in fundraising and securing the castle's future. The viewing platform is self-supporting and has been built to stand alone without affecting the castle.
The platform is expected to remain in place for one year or until the completion of conservation repairs to the castle. Visitors are invited to experience this unique opportunity to explore the King's Tower and its history. “I'm personally excited to witness the changing seasons high above the landscape just as the kings of old would have," Gould stated, according to The Independent.
Several kings who followed Henry I enjoyed the use of Corfe Castle, but it was King John who spent more than £1,400 (equivalent to $3.8 million today) on upgrading it to the latest architectural fashions, including the construction of a garden wing.
Despite its sale by Queen Elizabeth I in 1572, Corfe Castle remained a symbol of royal power. The rediscovery of the 'appearance door' during conservation works in 2006 underlined Corfe Castle's status as one of the most important castles in England.
"There is so much history to explore at Corfe through the eyes of kings both famous and infamous, and visitors will have a unique chance to experience it from this special vantage point," Gould stated.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq