Carisbrooke Castle

Our Knight's Tournament is nearly here. Next week, four teams of rival knights will face each other in tests of strength and skill. With combat displays, fire shows, have-a-go archery and kids battles, the whole family can join in and cheer their champions to victory! https://bit.ly/2Jxhunf

This is the joust to end all jousts. Four of the most skilful knights in the Kingdom, mounted on their magnificent steeds, battle for love or eternal sorrow. Good or evil; who will triumph? Marvel as a display of chivalry determines the victor of this medieval spectacular. See falcons in flight and discover medieval life in the living history encampments. Step back in time and experience an epic tournament full of rich pageantry and excitement. Budding knights can test their... bravery in the hobby-horse jousting, while the court jester and merry musicians set the scene for a spectacular day.
This event is being held over two weeks in August. Make sure you pick up your ticket for the correct week!
For the joust 14 - 16 Aug, pick up your tickets via: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/…/ca risbrooke-the-joust…/
For the joust 21 - 23 Aug, pick up your tickets via: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/…/ca risbrooke-the-joust…/
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Feel the heat of this fiery contest as rival knights show their prowess at archery and swordsmanship. Brandishing blades and bows they'll face each other in a test of strength and skill. Explore the medieval encampment guided by the smell of fire-cooked food and the sound of merry music. Budding Knights can show off their bravery with knight's battle drills out on the field.

Calling all animal lovers; help us care for our adorable team of donkeys here at Carisbrooke. Volunteer at the castle's stables today!

We've been having a great time with our sand castles workshop. If you #lovecastles it's not too late to join in the fun!

Did you join our sandcastle workshop here at Carisbrooke today? If so, don't forget to share pictures of your masterpieces here on Facebook and on Twitter @EnglishHeritage, tagging #LoveCastles! Our sandcastle workshop returns for one more day tomorrow; don't miss out! https://buff.ly/2NfaUPF

Come end enjoy our sandcastle building masterclass here at Carisbrooke this weekend. It's being hosted by the same sculptors responsible for building English Heritage' ultimate sandcastle, unveiled last week at Dover Castle in Kent! https://buff.ly/2NfaUPF

The glorious view from atop the Keep, at twilight. The Castle enjoys a commanding view of the surrounding countryside; come and enjoy it with us this week! https://buff.ly/2uskPt1

Further to the unveiling of the ultimate sandcastle at Dover Castle in Kent, at English Heritage we now want you to get involved by building your very own ultimate sandcastle and sharing it with us here on Facebook, on Twitter @EnglishHeritage, or by tagging English Heritage on Instagram. There's prizes up for grabs including a holiday stay at one of our historic places! Find out more about the competition here: https://buff.ly/2zySW8L

We're now proudly flying the #LoveCastles flag here at Carisbrooke! Although it took a long time to get a breeze for the photo in this sunny weather... https://buff.ly/2JkzJXH
Photos by Hannah Brewer

The castle's lovable team of donkeys have been enjoying the recent heatwave. As a species, they originate from Africa, and are perfectly adapted to thrive in hot and dry conditions. Nonetheless, we still felt a treat was in order: chopped carrot and apple were frozen in water to make some special donkey ice lollies!
Meet our donkeys here : https://buff.ly/2tIMpW4

Get beach ready and join us for a fun and inspiring family master-class in sandcastle building with the sand sculpture experts Sand in Your Eye. All age groups, whatever your skill level are welcome. Have heaps of fun as you learn the secret recipe of the ultimate sand and water mix and very best way to build a sandcastle. Buckets and spades provided!
The facilitated workshops using sand-tables are suitable for children aged five years onwards through to adults. Adult superv...ision is needed for under 12's so parents, grandparents and guardians please come and join in! Workshops run hourly each day from 11am (last one 4pm). Each workshop session lasts approx. 45mins. Places are limited; please book in on arrival at the castle
Under-fives will have their own sand-table, which is open throughout the day for no additional charge. Parental supervision will be required for those wishing to take part.
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Today, English Heritage marked the start of our #LoveCastles season by unveiling the ultimate sandcastle at Dover Castle in Kent. Including some of the best features of historic castle design, we have to say the gatehouse looks remarkably familiar...
Find out more about our Love Castles season and how you can get involved: https://buff.ly/2JkzJXH

Carisbrooke's newest neighbours in the adjacent field; what with the donkeys, all we need now is a few cows, some chickens and maybe a pig or two... XD

The recent heatwave has left the Princess Beatrice garden looking divine. Join us at Carisbrooke to enjoy it with us this weekend: https://bit.ly/2DoAuRA

Have you got what it takes to be the knight's apprentice? Join us for a summer of hands on medieval activities and crafts. Get involved in knight training, etiquette, storytelling and craft throughout the day. Design and paint your own shield or try on authentic pieces of knight’s armour including a bascinet, mail coif and kite shield. Have you got what it takes to be hired as a squire?

The Princess Beatrice Garden celebrates the time in which Princess Beatrice, daughter of Queen Victoria, lived at the castle and served as governor of the Isle of Wight. https://buff.ly/2l76r5e

climbed the walls as a nipper. took grockles for a tour for cash. kicked out by the men in blue.

want to come to my place and see my etchings???

What an absolutely beautiful Castle, mostly intact, with wonderful additions throughout the centuries to make it one of the most interesting ones that I have ever been to! Staff were absolutely lovely and very helpful, and the tea rooms even catered for our vegan family as well as the fare that would appeal to the traditionalist. Even the gift shop was out of this world and I couldn't resist coming away with several things for the children as well as presents for grandparents.



I would thoroughly recommend going to the Isle of Wight specifically to visit this Castle as well as every other wonderful thing that it has to offer!

Very enjoyable day! Fortunately the weather was also with us. Learnt quite a bit about the history if the castle and the island.

Took our 3yr and 17 yr olds all of us had a great day. Took a picnic, saw the donkeys, walked round the castle....gorgeous views.

The castle has an interesting history, which is featured in it's museum.

My 4 year old son loved walking the ramparts, using the spiral staircase and exploring the gardens.

There was plenty to interest children, donkey performances, dressing up in old clothes, old fashioned toys on display and Halloween activities over half term.

It was a good family day out for all ages.

Loved the castle so much history to see and read and also to see and watch the donkeys do there show with the water � mill for the castle. Wish we had more time to explore the wonders of Charles 1st etc � ��



The only issue we had was the tea � rooms we arrived at 2pm to be told they had stopped serving lunches ??? Yet English Heritage at the castle were advised by phone that we were arriving and the exact number attending it was very very poor of them !!! Sad and I will be writing as the piece of cake I could only have was partially frozen the cream in the Victoria sponge was very cold and hard etc ���

Love the castle and it's grounds. Wonderful piece of history with the most spectacular views of the Island. Highly recommend visiting. I, and my family have been visiting on and off for the last 30 years, and I still love it.

Just come back from the jousting event and we loved it. We go every year and even though I as a member had to pay £5 to get in with my 2 children it was well deserved and great value for money. We arrived for the parade at 11, saw falconry and I learned what it had to do with medieval times, enjoyed the melee and of course the grand joust. The hobby horse section was good as the man kept referencing my green hair and making me laugh. One question where was Peterkin the fool? Missed him this year. Absolutely brilliant day out. I grew up living near the castle so lots of fond memories of me playing in the moat as a child. Shall be back soon �

Great day out. Excellent piece of history and full access to all the battlements and keep.

Brilliant place to visit. Very accessible for wheelchair users, with obvious exceptions of the wall walk and castle keep of course. Excellent day out, a must for anyone visiting IOW.

Brilliant Castle to visit, you can walk all the way round which is something you can't do at most castles

A great day out the staff were very friendly and helpful. It was my 2nd return after 17 years. I can't wait until next year for a return visit

We went to Carisbrook Castle on a Sunday morning where there was no events on apart from the donkey turning the wheel.

We got there about 11am & was there for about 4 hours.

It’s was lovely day seeing everything we wanted to see & read without lots of other people around, which was peaceful no hassle and relaxing to walk round.

Staff was very friendly and helpful.

Would go again but not for a while though as more places we want to visits.

Our visit with grandchildren (9 &10) at half term was a very enjoyable outing but good weather was essential to make the most of the battlements.



It would’ve been an expensive visit without English Heritage membership, especially if the castle grounds had been restricted by bad weather.

The well house was very cramped for watching the donkey at work so we waited outside having seen it before but I have every sympathy with those who were squeezed inside.

Would it not be possible to ‘book’ a well house time (also limiting numbers) when arriving at the castle. This arrangement works well in other historic sites.



The gatehouse had some very worn and damaged costume items that were of little use and very disappointing. It would have been nice to have some castle related activities in the grounds (as we’ve seen previously) rather than the Early Man trail that didn’t inspire at all. The museum is very interesting but would also benefit from some updating as children learn so much by trying things out for themselves.



We had also visited in January and were surprised to find the tea rooms open when we’d read they were closed. Some improved signage would have attracted more customers.

I think we might have felt less positive about our visit if we hadn’t been English Heritage members.

Interesting couple of hours if this is your thing, nice tea room or drinks etc. Staff polite and knowledgeable

The castle itself was fab, but on the day we visited, the winds were high so a lot of the castle was cordoned off for health and safety reasons. We are members of English Heritage, but would have felt cheated if we weren’t as it is quite expensive for what there was to do yesterday.



Also, the website said the tea shop was shut til March, but it was actually open because it was half term!

Returning to Carisbrooke Castle for the first time since I was about 12, was sadly a little disappointing. For myself, partner and 4 year old it was just over £20 to get in, we paid gift aid and the extra £1 for the Early Man event... which we didn’t actually do, mainly because it looked like they were sill setting up. We arrived at 12.45 and waited around for the Donkey wheel at 2.30. We had a walk around, some coffee and cake (very good coffee!) and swiftly left after the 10 minute donkey experience, which was so packed our friends toddler couldn’t deal with and our own child found extremely claustrophobic, but after waiting in the freezing cold, seeing a half dead garden (it is winter, so forgivable!) and a little museum, we weren’t leaving without seeing Jill the Donkey do her thing. All in all, it was as I say disappointing. The boys had the most fun on the green outside... which we didn’t need to pay for! We had a nice enough time, but value for money it was not. We all felt like English Heritage were taking the mickey somewhat by still charging full whack when the keep and castle walls were inaccessible due to the apparent wind and the gardens weren’t exactly in full bloom. Just a few things to be aware of if you are planning a trip... I’d suggest going in the summer! �

Recently visited with my 7 year old, haven’t been in years! Amazing views from the battlements, my son had a great time, was his first visit to a castle!

Tea Rooms were ‘ok’ I’m not sure it would be ‘ok’ in the busy height of summer, small and not enough room in between tables! Bit chaotic and no one seemed to be keeping up with clearing tables!

A brilliant afternoon out. The Turner picture was lovely to see as was all the other art works and historically it was incredibly interesting. Only one thing let it down and that was the cafe. Bring a picnic and you'll be sure for a good time

climbed the walls as a nipper. took grockles for a tour for cash. kicked out by the men in blue.

want to come to my place and see my etchings???

What an absolutely beautiful Castle, mostly intact, with wonderful additions throughout the centuries to make it one of the most interesting ones that I have ever been to! Staff were absolutely lovely and very helpful, and the tea rooms even catered for our vegan family as well as the fare that would appeal to the traditionalist. Even the gift shop was out of this world and I couldn't resist coming away with several things for the children as well as presents for grandparents.



I would thoroughly recommend going to the Isle of Wight specifically to visit this Castle as well as every other wonderful thing that it has to offer!

Very enjoyable day! Fortunately the weather was also with us. Learnt quite a bit about the history if the castle and the island.

Took our 3yr and 17 yr olds all of us had a great day. Took a picnic, saw the donkeys, walked round the castle....gorgeous views.

The castle has an interesting history, which is featured in it's museum.

My 4 year old son loved walking the ramparts, using the spiral staircase and exploring the gardens.

There was plenty to interest children, donkey performances, dressing up in old clothes, old fashioned toys on display and Halloween activities over half term.

It was a good family day out for all ages.

Loved the castle so much history to see and read and also to see and watch the donkeys do there show with the water � mill for the castle. Wish we had more time to explore the wonders of Charles 1st etc � ��



The only issue we had was the tea � rooms we arrived at 2pm to be told they had stopped serving lunches ??? Yet English Heritage at the castle were advised by phone that we were arriving and the exact number attending it was very very poor of them !!! Sad and I will be writing as the piece of cake I could only have was partially frozen the cream in the Victoria sponge was very cold and hard etc ���

Love the castle and it's grounds. Wonderful piece of history with the most spectacular views of the Island. Highly recommend visiting. I, and my family have been visiting on and off for the last 30 years, and I still love it.

Just come back from the jousting event and we loved it. We go every year and even though I as a member had to pay £5 to get in with my 2 children it was well deserved and great value for money. We arrived for the parade at 11, saw falconry and I learned what it had to do with medieval times, enjoyed the melee and of course the grand joust. The hobby horse section was good as the man kept referencing my green hair and making me laugh. One question where was Peterkin the fool? Missed him this year. Absolutely brilliant day out. I grew up living near the castle so lots of fond memories of me playing in the moat as a child. Shall be back soon �

Great day out. Excellent piece of history and full access to all the battlements and keep.

Brilliant place to visit. Very accessible for wheelchair users, with obvious exceptions of the wall walk and castle keep of course. Excellent day out, a must for anyone visiting IOW.

Brilliant Castle to visit, you can walk all the way round which is something you can't do at most castles

A great day out the staff were very friendly and helpful. It was my 2nd return after 17 years. I can't wait until next year for a return visit

We went to Carisbrook Castle on a Sunday morning where there was no events on apart from the donkey turning the wheel.

We got there about 11am & was there for about 4 hours.

It’s was lovely day seeing everything we wanted to see & read without lots of other people around, which was peaceful no hassle and relaxing to walk round.

Staff was very friendly and helpful.

Would go again but not for a while though as more places we want to visits.

Our visit with grandchildren (9 &10) at half term was a very enjoyable outing but good weather was essential to make the most of the battlements.



It would’ve been an expensive visit without English Heritage membership, especially if the castle grounds had been restricted by bad weather.

The well house was very cramped for watching the donkey at work so we waited outside having seen it before but I have every sympathy with those who were squeezed inside.

Would it not be possible to ‘book’ a well house time (also limiting numbers) when arriving at the castle. This arrangement works well in other historic sites.



The gatehouse had some very worn and damaged costume items that were of little use and very disappointing. It would have been nice to have some castle related activities in the grounds (as we’ve seen previously) rather than the Early Man trail that didn’t inspire at all. The museum is very interesting but would also benefit from some updating as children learn so much by trying things out for themselves.



We had also visited in January and were surprised to find the tea rooms open when we’d read they were closed. Some improved signage would have attracted more customers.

I think we might have felt less positive about our visit if we hadn’t been English Heritage members.

Interesting couple of hours if this is your thing, nice tea room or drinks etc. Staff polite and knowledgeable

The castle itself was fab, but on the day we visited, the winds were high so a lot of the castle was cordoned off for health and safety reasons. We are members of English Heritage, but would have felt cheated if we weren’t as it is quite expensive for what there was to do yesterday.



Also, the website said the tea shop was shut til March, but it was actually open because it was half term!

Returning to Carisbrooke Castle for the first time since I was about 12, was sadly a little disappointing. For myself, partner and 4 year old it was just over £20 to get in, we paid gift aid and the extra £1 for the Early Man event... which we didn’t actually do, mainly because it looked like they were sill setting up. We arrived at 12.45 and waited around for the Donkey wheel at 2.30. We had a walk around, some coffee and cake (very good coffee!) and swiftly left after the 10 minute donkey experience, which was so packed our friends toddler couldn’t deal with and our own child found extremely claustrophobic, but after waiting in the freezing cold, seeing a half dead garden (it is winter, so forgivable!) and a little museum, we weren’t leaving without seeing Jill the Donkey do her thing. All in all, it was as I say disappointing. The boys had the most fun on the green outside... which we didn’t need to pay for! We had a nice enough time, but value for money it was not. We all felt like English Heritage were taking the mickey somewhat by still charging full whack when the keep and castle walls were inaccessible due to the apparent wind and the gardens weren’t exactly in full bloom. Just a few things to be aware of if you are planning a trip... I’d suggest going in the summer! �

Recently visited with my 7 year old, haven’t been in years! Amazing views from the battlements, my son had a great time, was his first visit to a castle!

Tea Rooms were ‘ok’ I’m not sure it would be ‘ok’ in the busy height of summer, small and not enough room in between tables! Bit chaotic and no one seemed to be keeping up with clearing tables!

A brilliant afternoon out. The Turner picture was lovely to see as was all the other art works and historically it was incredibly interesting. Only one thing let it down and that was the cafe. Bring a picnic and you'll be sure for a good time