Carisbrooke Castle

CastleIsle of WightEnglish Heritage4.6(6,014 on Google)

Book tickets Website

£16.30

non-member

Free

EH members

4.6

on Google

Open

see times

Carisbrooke Castle grew from an Anglo-Saxon defence into the Isle of Wight's great medieval fortress, with a Norman shell keep above its courtyard. Charles I was imprisoned here after the Civil War, and the castle museum explores that royal connection alongside the island's wider history. Princess Beatrice later used the castle as a summer home; the Edwardian-style garden recalls her time here. Families can meet the resident donkeys and learn how their treadwheel raised water from the deep well, then explore the chapel, lawns and ramparts. Reviewers repeatedly single out the donkey demonstrations and the wide views from the walls. Allow time for the separately managed museum as well as the fortifications, and wear shoes with grip for the stone stairs and potentially slippery wall walk. Dogs on leads can accompany the castle visit, but cannot enter the museum.

Opening times

Spring & summer hours

Castle and Grounds10:00 - 17:00

Opening time details

Open daily 10am-5pm until 24 October, then 10am-4pm from 25 October to 1 November; weekends 10am-4pm from 2 November to 20 December. Christmas dates vary.

Last admission is normally one hour before closing. Check the date-specific calendar and any notices before travelling.

EH members enter free with their membership card. National Trust membership alone does not cover admission. Advance booking is optional for ordinary visits and can save up to 15%; events may differ.

The well house and museum ground floor are wheelchair accessible. The wall walk and museum upper floor have steep stairs. Paths include grass, gravel and tarmac; designated accessible parking is near the entrance.

Parking: Castle car park is free for EH members displaying a valid sticker; non-members pay. Current non-member tariff not confirmed.

Image: View across Carisbrooke Castle from the walls. The Land, CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:View_of_Carisbrooke_Castle_from_walls.JPG

Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads are permitted at the castle, but not in the museum. Specific indoor cafe arrangements are not confirmed.

Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads can walk in the castle grounds during a ticketed visit. Normal admission or English Heritage membership is needed.

Dog walks in the surrounding area: Not confirmed. Not confirmed: research did not establish a complete nearby dog route with its access, parking and seasonal rules. Do not infer permission from nearby green space.

Leads: Keep dogs on leads in the permitted visitor areas. Keep clear of wildlife; additional livestock-specific guidance is not confirmed.

Seasonal dog restrictions: Not confirmed: no separate seasonal dog policy was established. Follow current notices and any temporary exclusions.

Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome, as stated in the official facilities/access guidance.

Pricing

Free entry with English Heritage membership

Entry

Non-member prices

Adult

£16.30

Child (5-17)

£8.10

Concession

£15.40

Family (2 adults, up to 3 children)

£40.90

Family (1 adult, up to 3 children)

£24.50

Pricing details

Standard-day walk-up tariff without voluntary donation. Prices vary by date. EH members enter free; National Trust membership alone does not cover admission. Advance online tickets save up to 15%; under-5s enter free. Adult walk-up range: £14.50 off-peak to £18.10 peak.

Standard-day walk-up tariff without voluntary donation; prices vary by date.

Parking

Parking not known

The Trust's page does not say how parking is charged.

Parking details

Castle car park is free for EH members displaying a valid sticker; non-members pay. Current non-member tariff not confirmed.

For driving directions, use the visitor car park shown by the map pin and follow the signed pedestrian route to the entrance.

Pins

Enamel pin badges sold in the shop here, photographed by visitors.

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Facilities

ParkingCafeShopToiletsBaby changingGardensPicnic areaDogs on leads