The National Trust is about to embark on phase one of a two-year, £700,000 programme of conservation at Corfe Castle in Dorset.

The top section of the castle – including the Keep, Inner Ward and Gloriette – was closed to visitors in April this year after stonework began to crumble. In June, high-level inspections were carried out to identify what work was needed.

Preparatory work for phase one, involving work on the Inner Ward and Gloriette, is now underway and the areas are expected to reopen to the public by Easter 2007. Later phases focusing on the Keep and South West Gatehouse expected to be completed by spring 2008.

The remainder of the castle, approximately two-thirds of the attraction, will remain open throughout the duration of the work.

Pippa Russell, visitor services and enterprise manager, said: “The ravages of time have begun to catch up with the large pieces of stonework around the Keep, many of which lie on their side or upside down where they fell when the castle was blown up by gunpowder in 1646.

“The inner core of these sections is more exposed to the elements than standing walls and this is where much of our remedial work will be focused. The walls are also very tempting climbing places for visitors, which has obliged us to cordon off the area for safety reasons.”

During the restoration process, the castle will be running a series of ‘conservation in action’ tours and holding workshops on the project, as well as hosting a Traditional Building Skills Weekend which will bring together craftspeople, specialist conservation professionals and suppliers of traditional building materials. Details: www.nationaltrust.org.uk