Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight

Carisbrooke Castle is a historic motte-and-bailey castle in the village of Carisbrooke, on the Isle of Wight.

The site of Carisbrooke Castle may have been occupied in pre-Roman times.
From 1100 The castle was in the possession of Richard de Redvers' family, and over the next two hundred years his descendants improved the castle with stone walls, towers and a keep. In 1293, the last Redvers resident sold the castle to Edward I.

In the reign of Richard II the castle was unsuccessfully attacked by the French, in the late 14th century, it was saved by local hero Peter de Heyno who shot the french commander. Anthony de Wydville, Lord Scales, later Earl Rivers, obtained a grant of the castle and rights of Lordship in 1467. He was responsible for the addition of Entrance Gate.
The keep was added to the castle in the reign of Henry I, and in the reign of Elizabeth I; when the Spanish Armada was expected, it was surrounded by an elaborate pentagonal fortification by Sir George Carey.

Charles I was imprisoned here for fourteen months before his execution in 1649. Afterwards his two youngest children were confined in the castle, and the Princess Elizabeth died there. Most recently it was the home of The Princess Beatrice, daughter of Queen Victoria, as Governor of the Isle of Wight, 1896-1944.

Near the domestic buildings is the well-house with its working donkey wheel, which is still operated by donkeys.

Opening Times

Opening days and times vary throughout the year. Please check the website.

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Ticket Prices

Adults: £7.30
Children: £4.40
Concessions: £6.60
EH Member: Free
Family Ticket: £19.00

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Disabled Facilities

Access to castle buildings: Chapel, courtyard -loose gravel, well-house and ground floor of museum are accessible to visitors in wheelchairs.
Two flights of stairs to upper floor of museum with banister. Seats provided in museum and courtyard. Model showing the castle in 1600 may be touched and was designed to allow close access for wheelchairs. Wheelchair access to coach house exhibition. Grounds: Accessed via gravel paths and tarmac.
N.B. Ramparts lack handrails and safety rails in places; it is recommended that visually impaired visitors are accompanied.
Shop: Ramp available.

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More Information

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