A little ride to Corfe Castle...

...on mostly quiet roads...

A coffee and a puncture en route, and an enjoyable wander round the ruins on arrival.

The castle was built by William the Conqueror.
It became a ruin during the Civil War - Lady Bankes (Brave Dame Mary) was loyal to Charles I. She defended the castle in 1643 and 1645 through two sieges. She was finally overcome by the treachery of one of her own officers, Colonel Pitman. Roundhead engineers then blew up the castle from the inside.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch at The Greyhound, right next to the castle, before our return to Studland.

A spot of bike cleaning ensued, as we're planning to have a wander on Brownsea Island tomorrow.