Name: Carisbrooke Castle
Rating: 5.0

Carisbrooke Castle

Castle Hill, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1XY, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

Description

Carisbrooke Castle is a great fortress which began life as an Anglo-Saxon earthwork defence against Viking raids. The Normans raised the shell keep on its towering mound, which you can climb up for amazing views.

The castle’s most famous resident was Charles I, who was imprisoned here after his Civil War defeat. You’ll find Charles I memorabilia and changing exhibitions in the Carisbrooke Castle Museum. Later, Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria’s daughter, made Carisbrooke Castle her summer home. Admire the award-winning Edwardian-style Princess Beatrice Garden, inspired by the princess.

Price starts from £13.00 for Adults, £8.00 for Children(5-17) £21.00 and for Family of four. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

The Castle: Come and play bowls on the green used by a defeated king. Carisbrooke Castle is where King Charles I was imprisoned following the English Civil War. Can you find the rooms from which he attempted to escape?
Meet the Donkeys: Meet Carisbrooke Castle’s resident donkeys who have been drawing up water in the well-house for hundreds of years. Watch their daily demonstrations working the 16th-century tread wheel to raise a bucket (49 metres or 161 feet) from the bottom of the castle well.
Royal Connections: Learn more about when Carisbrooke Castle served as a prison for the deposed Charles I. The king was held here for 14 months before his execution in 1649. At first, he was held in the comfortable Constable's Lodgings. But his attempts to escape meant he had to be moved to more secure quarters.
Walk the walls: Climb the steep steps up the massive castle mound to enjoy unrivalled birds-eye views from the ancient castle keep. The earthworks and keep were begun around 1100, when the whole Isle of Wight was granted to the de Redvers family.
The Princess Beatrice Garden: Designed by Chris Beardshaw, this pretty Edwardian-style garden is based on the original garden retreat of Queen Victoria's daughter. The plants were chosen to echo Princess Beatrice's blue, red and gold heraldic crest, and the layout reflects architectural detail on the adjoining Chapel of St Nicholas.
The Exhibition and Castle Museum: Start your visit to the castle by exploring the exhibition in the 16th-century guardhouse. Learn about Carisbrooke Castle’s long and often tumultuous history through a fascinating film and virtual tour.
Pause in the Chapel: Experience the beauty and tranquility of St Nicholas' chapel, built in 1904 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Charles I's execution. Princess Beatrice commissioned the altar painting following the death of her youngest son, Maurice, at Ypres.
Magical Creatures: Looking for an adventure with your little ones? Uncover English folklore with our Folktale Creature Trails, where children can discover magical creatures from English myths and legends.

Facilities

Parking: Parking for around 100 cars; free for English Heritage members displaying a valid car sticker. Non-members must pay.
Food And Drink: Delightful tea room serving a selection of locally produced hot and cold food including sandwiches, cakes, hot and cold beverages. The tea room closes one hour before the castle's advertised closing time.
Toilets: Male and female toilets centrally located in a separate toilet block inside the courtyard. Disabled toilet located in the central courtyard.

What to see

Halloween Half-Term at Carisbrooke Castle: Sat 18 Oct - Sun 2 Nov 2025. 10am - 5pm.

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Advance online tickets:

Member: Free.
Adult: £13.00 with donation & £11.80 without donation.
Child(5-17 years): £8.00 with donation & £7.20 without donation.
Family(2 adults, up to 3 children): £34.00 with donation & £30.80 without donation.
Family(1 adult, up to 3 children): £21.00 with donation & £9.00 without donation.

On the day tickets:

Member: Free.
Adult: £15.50 with donation & £14.00 without donation.
Child(5-17 years): £9.50 with donation & £8.60 without donation.
Family(2 adults, up to 3 children): £40.50 with donation & £36.60 without donation.
Family(1 adult, up to 3 children): £25.00 with donation & £22.60 without donation.

Membership: Become a member today from just £42

For more information please visit: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/carisbrooke-castle/prices-and-opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open daily: 10am - 5pm (last entry at 4pm)

Address: Castle Hill, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1XY, UK

Post Code: PO30 1XY

Council: Isle of Wight

County: Isle of Wight

Road Access: Carisbrooke Castle is 1 1⁄4 miles south-west of Newport. Follow the signs to Carisbrooke village, then signs to the castle.
Bus Access: Southern Vectis 6, 7, 12, 38 pass nearby to within 1⁄4 mile.
Bicycle Access: Find your cycling route to Carisbrooke Castle at sustrans.org.uk, the National Cycle Network. There are bike racks available at this site.
Ferry Access: West Cowes 5 miles, East Cowes 6 miles (Red Funnel – 0844 844 9988); Fishbourne 6 miles, Ryde 8 miles, Yarmouth 9 miles (Wightlink 0870 5827744)
Parking: Parking for around 100 cars; free for English Heritage members displaying a valid car sticker. Non-members must pay.