Photo: DeFacto / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Carisbrooke Castle is a Grade I listed castle in Isle of Wight, cared for by English Heritage. Read about its history and architecture, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About Carisbrooke Castle
The stone keep at Carisbrooke Castle dates from around 1100, built on a hilltop above Newport on the Isle of Wight.
Earlier defences had occupied the site, with the Norman castle traditionally attributed to William FitzOsbern.
Charles I was held prisoner here during the Civil War, in a room visitors can still see.
English Heritage manages the site today, and the castle grounds house an independent museum.
In the castle's well house, a donkey still turns a wooden wheel that has drawn water from a deep well for centuries.
Read more on WikipediaHistory of Carisbrooke Castle
The Normans built the first castle on this site soon after 1066, traditionally attributed to William FitzOsbern. A stone keep and curtain walls were added around 1100. Elizabeth I ordered the outer defences strengthened in the 1590s against the threat of Spanish invasion, giving the castle its artillery bastions. Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria's youngest daughter and Governor of the Isle of Wight, was associated with restoration work at the castle in the late 19th century.
Architecture of Carisbrooke Castle
The castle retains its Norman motte-and-bailey plan overlaid with a stone keep and curtain wall from around 1100, and Elizabethan artillery bastions added to the outer defences in the 1590s.
Worth knowing
Charles I was imprisoned at Carisbrooke in 1647 after fleeing custody during the Civil War, and his young daughter Princess Elizabeth died here in 1650 while also held captive.
Facilities
Plan your visit to Carisbrooke Castle
Address: PO30 1XY
Nearest station: Wootton (Isle of Wight Steam Railway) (3.8 miles)
Places to visit near Carisbrooke Castle
Newtown Old Town Hall
View Newtown Old Town Hall on heritage mapMottistone Manor
View Mottistone Manor on heritage mapAppuldurcombe House
View Appuldurcombe House on heritage mapSt Catherine's Oratory
View St Catherine's Oratory on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Carisbrooke Castle (PO30) there are 2 historic properties, including 1 historic building and 1 historic house, across English Heritage and National Trust sites.
Within 10 miles of Carisbrooke Castle (PO30) there are 9 historic properties, including 3 historic houses and 2 castles, across English Heritage, National Trust and Historic Houses sites.
Within 20 miles of Carisbrooke Castle (PO30) there are 22 historic properties, including 6 historic houses, 4 forts and 4 castles, across English Heritage, National Trust and Historic Houses sites.
Stay nearby
Make more of your visit with an overnight stay near Carisbrooke Castle.
Find places to stay nearby Affiliate link. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.Facts
A Norman castle where a king was held prisoner, with a donkey still turning the wheel of its ancient well.
- Type
- castle
- Location
- Isle of Wight, England
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