HISTORIC Corfe Castle has embraced a 21st- century phenomenon – Google Maps’ Street View.

The ancient castle, which has delighted millions of visitors to Dorset over the centuries, will now be available to view online.

It is one of a collection of iconic UK castles, country houses and outstanding landscapes that has been added to the 3D internet mapping service.

The images, going live today, allow for a 360 degree ground-level tour of the outside of the National Trust site.

Lawrence Roots, Corfe Castle’s visitor services manager, said: “It’s fantastic to think that people from around the world, who might never be able to travel to the UK to see one of the most evocative ruined castles in England, will be able to enjoy a virtual visit.”

The images were taken last summer using a pedal tricycle mounted with a special camera.

Other locations set to go live today include Stonehenge and the Avebury Stones.

Mr Roots said: “Google Street View will enable even more people to take a peek and get a sense of what Corfe Castle has to offer.”

Corfe Castle dates back to the 11th century, to the time of William the Conqueror. It was demolished after a siege, in 1646, during the English Civil War.

Google Geospatial technologist Ed Parsons said: “Places like Corfe Castle offer us a special glimpse of the history, nature and architecture up and down the country.

“We were delighted to be able to open up some of the UK’s most famous landmarks to the rest of the world, via the web.

“It’s a fun way to gen up on what to see and do on a day out or whet your appetite for where to go next.”

• To see the virtual tour click link below, zoom into the Castle and then drag the yellow man from the top left of your map on to the blue markers that will apppear.