Red Funnel

Carisbrooke Castle

Discover the grandeur, treachery, intrigue and power of the Island's only medieval castle. It is said that 'he who held Carisbrooke held the Isle of Wight'. King Charles I was even imprisoned here before being taken to Whitehall for his trial and execution. Set on a sweeping ridge, Carisbrooke commands a perfect military location with majestic views over the surrounding countryside.

Visit Countess Isabella's beautiful chapel and the 800 year old Great Hall with its fascinating museum and the well house with its famous donkeys at work drawing the water from the well - in 2008, 'Jigsaw', a pretty brown & white donkey joins Jimbob, Joffee, Jack and Jill working the 17th-century waterwheel. Children will also enjoy the Tudor Trail and the Medieval Knights Trail.

Also new for April 2008, is an exciting new film, hands-on weapons and family interactives, a virtual tour and shiny new external graphics will help bring the fascinating story of the castle to life from its Saxon origins through to its role as residence to Queen Victoria's youngest daughter Princess Beatrice. In April 2008 a sensitively designed new admissions area and shop will further improve the visitor experience.

August - great family events at Carisbrooke

01-02 Aug Medieval Quest - follow the medieval trail & receive a reward if you complete the quest; 03-04 Aug Medieval Boot Camp - feel the weight of real armour, try your hand at archery, be put through your paces in the children’s drill, make a medieval shield & play traditional games ; 05-09 Aug Donkey Quest - follow the carrot trail & meet the Carisbrooke donkeys, prizes to be won; 10-11 Aug Donkey Days  - meet the famous donkeys, donkey themed games, stories & activities, face-painting and the carrot trail; 12-16 Aug Spooky Quest - dare you enter the most haunted castle on the island? a prize to be won for the brave ghost hunters who complete the quest; 17-18 Aug Spooky Days Out - spine-tingling family fun ghost tour led by spooky characters around the castle. Keep your wits about you, who knows what you'll bump into!; 19-22 Aug Gruesome Castle Quest - join the Gruesome Castle Quest & win a gruesome prize by discovering the most ghastly aspects of Carisbrooke's history; 23-25 Aug The Worst Days in History - meet the Singing Plague Victims & visit the medieval surgeon to mix up your own plague cure. Talk to the Victorian Tosher and learn about the history of the toilet, help him search the sewers for hidden treasures; 26-31 Aug Gruesome Castle Quest - join the Gruesome Castle Quest & win a gruesome prize by discovering the most ghastly aspects of Carisbrooke's history.