Carisbrooke Castle

Isle of Wight Attraction

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Carisbrooke Castle

Castle Hill
Carisbrooke
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 1XY
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01983 522107

Carisbrooke Castle

At the heart of the Isle of Wight’s history is the towering Carisbrooke Castle overlooking the town of Newport. With a rich background encompassing over 800 years of island life, you can hear tales of siege, imprisonment, Civil War and more.

Carisbrooke Castle

The castle is famous for being the place where King Charles I was imprisoned after being defeated during the Civil War: and you can still play boules on the same green he used. There’s plenty to keep children entertained throughout the year, such as cheering on a knight’s tournament or dressing up as Norman soldiers.

Despite its age, Carisbrooke Castle is in remarkably good condition: with the battlements still standing tall for visitors to walk along and imagine life in a fully working castle. For those who want to delve deeper into the castle’s past, the museum on-site has plenty of information and artefacts from times gone by.

The Donkeys at Carisbrooke Castle

One of the best attractions at the castle is its most recent residents: the Carisbrooke donkeys. With every donkey’s name beginning with the letter ‘J’ – a tradition started over 150 years ago - visitors should keep an eye out for Jill, Jigsaw, Jack or Jimbob walking around the grounds!

The donkeys give live demonstrations in the well-house, turning the wheel to draw water up the well, just as their ancestors would have done over a century ago.

Princess Beatrice Garden

Having made the castle her summer home after 1914, Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter had a huge impact on the future of the castle. She oversaw the restoration of the gatehouse and the rebuilding of the chapel, and later redesigned the garden.

The current Princess Beatrice garden is a celebration of everything the Princess achieved while at the castle. Encompassing many different Edwardian styles, the beautifully designed garden is a must see for visitors.

Carisbrooke Castle Opening Times

29 March - 3 November: 10am-5pm
4 November 2013 - 31 March 2014: Saturdays & Sundays 10am-4pm
Grand Medieval Joust 6-8 & 20-22 August

For half term, August and Halloween events, as well as winter opening times, please call Carisbrooke Castle or visit the website.

Wight World Special Offer

For a castle that has lived through more than 800 years of service, including resisting a siege by the French and seeing off the Spanish Armada, Carisbrooke Castle is wonderfully well preserved. At the heart of the island's history, the castle is where King Charles I was imprisoned. There are all the ingredients here for a great value family day out in the Isle of Wight. Children will love dressing up as Norman soldiers or Civil War troopers, and meeting the castle's famous donkeys, while for the grown-ups, there is a fascinating museum and the Edwardian style Princess Beatrice Garden.

From 29 March 2013 - 31 March 2014

Car +4: £51.00 Extra Adult: £12.00 Extra Child: £9.00

Grand Medieval Joust 6-8 & 20-22 August

Car +4: £53.60 Extra Adult: £13.00 Extra Child: £9.60

For groups up to four people book online, for groups bigger than four please call us: 0871 376 1000 (calls cost 7p per minute plus network extras).

Please check Carisbrooke Castle opening hours before booking as there are reduced opening hours during winter (closed every Mon-Fri 04/11/13-31/03/14).

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Special Offer Terms & Conditions

All the above promotional offers are subject to our Promotional and standard terms & conditions. Fares are subject to a variable and limited allocation. Valid for cars, motorised caravans and pick-up trucks / crew cabs up to 6m long and if over 2.24m in height must be declared at the time of booking. Not valid for light vans, flatbed pick-ups or minibuses.

Travel must be completed by 0130 the following day. Valid from Portsmouth Gunwharf or Lymington. Passengers must check with individual attractions prior to travel as opening times, whilst correct at time of going to print, may be subject to change and supplements may apply for special events. All information correct at time of publishing (February 2013). We reserve the right to alter any of the information without notice. E&OE

Please book online or call Wightlink reservations on 0871 376 1000 (calls cost 7p per minute plus network extras) to book your day trip to the Isle of Wight, and not the attraction direct.

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