Restoration Plan Set to Keep Carisbrooke Castle Wheel in Motion

Wellhouse treadwheel and winding mechanism built in 1587 Restoration work on one of the Isle of Wight’s most famous tourist attractions, the waterwheel at Carisbrooke Castle, has been completed. 

English Heritage has carried out essential work this winter to keep the wheel in motion and visitors will be able to see the restored waterwheel turning again.  Ironwork added over many years had imbalanced the wheel and misplaced bolts in the frame had made it difficult to operate the brake efficiently. 

View of a donkey from the wellhouse Tim Butcher, Visitor Operations Manager at Carisbrooke Castle said: “the wheel’s makeover will ensure it keeps turning and remains a popular island visitor attraction for years to come”.  The highly skilled restoration work included repairing damaged woodwork and joints, removing metal bracings, fitting new brakes to reduce stress and improving the roundness by truing up the wheel.

Carisbrooke Castle’s resident donkeys have taken a well earned break during the restoration and are keen to get back to work on the treadmill of the revamped wheel. There’s a chance to see the donkeys in action on the restored wheel and find out a little about their day-to-day care at the Donkey Centre.