Crowds gather to celebrate winter solstice at Corfe Castle

More than 200 people arrived before sunrise at one of the most mystical locations in Dorset to experience the winter solstice among the ancient ruins of Corfe Castle.

With far-reaching views across the Purbeck countryside, visitors started queuing before 7 am on Saturday 21st December 2024 in the hope of watching the sun rise over East Hill on the shortest day of the year.

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Visitors waiting to welcome in the winter solstice at Corfe Castle dressed for the occasion

Reflective, chilly start to the day

Many brought folding chairs or picnic blankets along, to make themselves comfortable in the ruins of the thousand year old castle, and follow in the footsteps of medieval kings and nobles who would have similarly marked the solstice many centuries ago.

And although clouds kept any view of the sun away until late in the morning, crowds were still happy to watch the skies grow lighter and enjoy a reflective, chilly start to the day in the mad runup to Christmas.

Hot chocolate, coffee and fresh pastries were on sale for an early breakfast, while marshmallows were available for toasting over fire pits in the castle bailey grounds.

And visitors to the National Trust property, who arrived from all over Dorset, said that the spiritual feeling of renewal and rebirth at a turning point in the astronomical calendar was heightened by the ‘feelgood vibes’ of the historic setting.

Crowds had been waiting to enter Corfe Castle when its gates were opened at 7 am on solstice morning

The first visitors headed for the castle tower long before the sky lightened

Feelgood factor of a solstice dawn

In Corfe Castle on the winter solstice, the sun rose at 8.08 am and set at 4.06 pm, giving less than eight hours of sunlight, but as the days lengthen again that will rise to more than nine hours by the end of January.

The gradual shift to longer days is due to the Earth tilting on its axis more directly toward the sun. The longest day of the year is traditionally marked on the summer solstice, which will occur in 2025 on Saturday 21st June.

This is the second year in a row that the National Trust has opened Corfe Castle for the winter solstice and the response has been enthusiastic enough for staff to think about opening very early for the mid summer sunrise in June 2025.

Only half the visitors to Corfe Castle for the sunrise special were already National Trust members, and staff were hopeful that the feelgood factor of a solstice dawn would persuade them to join up.

Visitors with folding chairs and blankets were quick to choose their favourite spots to watch the sun rise

Eoin McDowell in front of newly cleaned tumbles which have given up secrets of where they used to be

Corfe Castle’s experience manager Eoin McDowell is thinking about repeating the solstice experience for summer 2025

“It’s about sharing the moment”

Corfe Castle experience and visitor programming manager, Eoin McDowell said:

“We were debating whether to open Corfe Castle for summer solstice next year, but it is a very early sunrise and we are not sure about getting staff in at 4 am – we’ll see.

“It’s a nice thing to do in the midst of all the craziness of Christmas, and it was wonderful to see people turning up so early in the morning.

“We didn’t get sunshine straight away, but people were happy to be here and the castle looked so beautiful being lit up while it was still dark.

“It’s as much about an experience and sharing the moment as it is about seeing the sunrise and everyone seemed to be in a wonderful mood.”

Holly is used for natural decorations throughout the castle

Castle residents Monty and Matilda Mouse admire the wishing tree

Tie ribbons to a wishing tree

In addition to the winter light show, Corfe Castle has also been decorated with holly and evergreen plants, as it would have been when the castle was first built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century.

There is also a wishing tree set up, a pagan tradition for Saxon times and an idea which would have been familiar to the medieval families who lived at Corfe Castle, where ribbons are tied around the branches as wishes are made, prayers to the tree spirits or in memory of loved ones.

Corfe Castle remains open to the public through the holiday period with the exception of Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and will explore the ancient tradition of the Lord of Misrule, which dates back to the Roman midwinter festival of Saturnalia.

Marshmallows and fire pits improve the winter experience at Corfe Castle

Solstice or not, there are amazing views to enjoy over Purbeck

Complete power over the guests

In England, the Lord of Misrule was chosen at the darkest time of the year to oversee the fun and frivolity of the Christmas feast. Swapping places with the lord of the manor, they had complete power over all the guests in choosing the games, dances and other entertainments.

Corfe Castle’s Lord of Misrule will be leading families on a festive storytelling tour through the ruins of the castle three times a day until Sunday 5th January 2025 to discover games, dances, stories and Christmas traditions of days gone by.

Tours begin at 11 am, 12.30 pm and 2 pm except on New Year’s Day when two tours are held at 12.30 pm and 2 pm.

Until Sunday 12th January 2025, children also have a chance to follow Monty Mouse and his wife Matilda around Corfe Castle as they host a Christmas party in the castle and need help to find suitable gifts for all their friends.

Visitor at the window of the Kings' view platform at Corfe Castle
NT / Richard Gregory

A viewing tower has been opened in King Henry’s tower, which dates from 1107

In the living space of royalty

And when the weather allows, a new viewing platform inside King Henry’s Tower will also be open for tours for an additional fee.

King Henry I, son of William the Conqueror, had the tower built for him in 1107 to provide him with luxurious personal quarters, including a garderobe – a bedchamber with ensuite toilet.

There was also an appearance door from which the king and his family could appear to his subjects, much like the way in which the balcony at Buckingham Palace is used today.

The platform, right in the heart of the living space of English royalty, today offers stunning views over Purbeck from one of the highest vantage points.

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