Corfe Castle is a village on the A351, mid-way between Wareham and Swanage, Dorset, in an area known as The Isle of Purbeck, an area bordered by hills and the sea. Wareham is just off the top of the map. Swanage is just off the bottom. Although these directions are for journeys starting in London, just pick up the part you need.

CHERRY HEAVEN OPENING TIMES

Corfe Castle village is very popular with tourists. However, out of season it's sometimes quiet, and we'll probably only be open occasionally. So, if you're coming specially, please call first.

DIRECTIONS

From Hammersmith, head west on the A4, then the A316, the Chertsey Road, past Richmond and Twickenham. The A316 becomes the M3. When the M3 ends, take the M27 west. Get in the correct lane, as it's very easy to go east by mistake.

Then the A31 to Ringwood and on past Wimbourne Minster towards Bere Regis and Dorchester. At one roundabout, the A31 turns right, so don't go straight on by mistake. Short parts of the A31 are single lane so, in the holiday season, traffic may move slowly.

Continue on the A31. Don't take the first turn to Wareham. About 8 miles after by-passing Wimbourne Minster, probably about 12 miles before Dorchester, there's a very long low brick wall on the left. Soon after, take the B3075 on the left to Morden and Wareham. The B3075 then crosses a main road at an offset crossroad, left and right. Go straight on.

After the open forest land, turn right at the T-junction and join the A351 to Wareham. Go straight on at the roundabout towards Wareham, then over the railway bridge. At the next roundabout, go left-ish into Wareham town centre, down the main street, over the crossroads, over the river bridge, across the pasture, through Stoborough village, and pick up the A351 again bearing left at the roundabout towards Corfe Castle and Swanage.

Although the A351 by-passes Wareham town centre, there's sometimes slow-moving traffic during the holiday season. And it's more pleasant to see Wareham town centre.

You're now entering the map at the top on the A351. Approaching Corfe Castle village on the A351, the castle ruin is on a hill to your right. Pass the castle, and follow the road round to the right, up the short hill, into Corfe Castle village.

At the top of the hill, turn right into the The Square. The Post Office and Church are now on the left, the National Trust Shop is in front, and the Greyhound pub is on the right. Once in the square, West Street turns left, away from the castle.

After about 60 metres, Cherry Heaven, No 14 West Street, is on the right. It's a shop, with two bow-fronted windows.

PARKING

There's free unlimited parking on single yellow lines, out of season, but check the dates and times on the signs. There's free one-hour parking in the white bays in The Square and in West Street. However, if you leave a bay in one zone, you can only repark in a different zone.

There's free unlimited parking on the west side of Sandy Hill Lane, shown on the map, under the railway bridge at the foot of the hill just before the village.

Heading south from The Square, the village pay-and-display public car park is about 200m down West Street: there's a sign and a turning to the right. The first small car park is for local permit holders only. There's also the castle visitors car park next to the A351 just off the top of the map.