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We have changed the opening arrangements of our sites to play our part in stopping the spread of COVID-19. Carisbrooke Castle is currently closed and any tickets pre-booked for the closed period will be cancelled and refunds automatically made as needed, so there is no need to contact us. We are keeping a selection of sites open for local people to use for exercise during the lockdown period. These are a mixture of free-to-enter and paid sites, and all have plenty of outdoor space for safe social distancing. Visits to paid sites must be booked in advance. We hope to be able to reopen many more of our sites in the near future, and we are currently taking advanced bookings for early spring and beyond. If we are unable to open a site by the time of your booked visit, your ticket will be automatically refunded without you needing to contact us. Thank you for your understanding, patience and support during this difficult time.
The hilltop site becomes the site of a rectangular fortification, probably built as a refuge from Viking raids.
William FitzOsbern is granted the Isle of Wight. He probably builds the first castle to secure the Isle of Wight for the Normans.
Find out more about the history of Carisbrooke Castle