£2m project to preserve Corfe Castle and reverse damage underway
The project's beginning with removing vegetation from the Castle walls
A three-year project is underway to reverse the damage at one of Dorset’s most iconic monuments, Corfe Castle.
£2 million will be spent to remove vegetation from the castle’s overgrown walls ahead of repairs to its lime mortar.
James Gould from The National Trust told us: “The castle has international historical significance and we have visitors coming to us from all over the world so it’s vital that we look after it.
“Unfortunately, we noticed more and more stones falling off and so a fairly substantial project would be needed to preserve the castle.”
The National Trust assured us the ruin remains “structurally sound” but there are concerns about roots growing deep in the castle's walls.
Mr Gould said: “We aren’t concerned about significant parts falling out or down but there are lots of small elements that need conserving.
“Some elements of lime need to be taken out and repointed, while some of stones that have fallen off just need to be reset back into place so it's about maintaining it going forward. for future generations.”
Summer droughts and wetter winters have led to an increase in vegetation and ivy growth on the walls which is ultimately responsible for the damage.
Mr Gould added: “Some ivy is good because it acts like a bit of a blanket so it helps mitigate water erosion and damage but it gets to a point where the ivy becomes too heavy for the mortar and that weight pulls stones out.”
The charity believes removing vegetation would reveal parts of the walls that had not been seen for more than 100 years.
The project is being supported with a grant of £150,000 from the Wolfson Foundation along with funds from the National Trust, which is also fundraising for the last £100,000.