Carisbrooke Castle

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Carisbrooke Castle is a historic fortress on the Isle of Wight, near Newport. It sits above the village of Carisbrooke and is cared for by English Heritage, with parts open to visitors.

History in brief
- The site may have been used before the Norman era. The current castle began in the 12th century and was built up over time, with stone walls, towers and a keep.
- It was once owned by the Redvers family and, in 1293, was sold to King Edward I. After that, wardens represented the crown.
- In 1377 the castle withstood a French attack. A gate—now known as the Woodville Gate—was added in the 15th century.
- In the late 1500s the defenses were strengthened against invasion, with new works designed by Italian engineer Federigo Gianibelli around 1600.

Famous moments and people
- King Charles I was imprisoned there for about 14 months before his execution in 1649. His children were kept there as well, and Princess Elizabeth died at the castle.
- From 1896 to 1944, Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria’s daughter, lived there as Governor of the Isle of Wight.

What you can see today
- The castle is surrounded by large earthworks from the late 1500s and has a gateway tower dating from 1464.
- Inside, you can explore the Great Hall and the Great Chamber, and the upper room houses the Isle of Wight Museum.
- There is a very deep well and a central well, plus a donkey wheel in the well-house.
- The Constable’s Chamber was Charles I’s prison room and now holds displays, including Charles I’s bed. The chapel of St Nicholas nearby was reopened in 1904 as a memorial to Charles I.
- A holiday flat was added in 2007 inside converted staff quarters.
- The site is a popular visitor attraction, drawing over 130,000 visitors in 2019.

Namesakes and nearby notes
- The name Carisbrooke inspired Carisbrook in Dunedin, New Zealand.
- The castle is an important fortification on the island, though it doesn’t dominate the countryside as some castles do. Some Roman-era traces remain beneath later buildings.