Carisbrooke Castle

Schools

Carisbrooke Castle has experienced sieges, imprisoned kings and seen off the Spanish Armada. Explore a history that spans over 1000 years and learn about how its role has changed from fortified defence to home of the Lord Lieutenant of the Island. Bring the curriculum to life and stand at the spot where history happened.

"A day at Carisbrooke Castle is better than weeks in the classroom! Children love that it looks like a 'real' castle."

Sue Pryor
Year 6 teacher

Information about your visit

Our number one priority remains the health, safety and security of all of our visitors, staff and volunteers. Our staff are still working hard to keep everyone safe and make sure you and your group have an enjoyable visit.

You and your group don’t need to have a COVID Pass to visit, but please don’t visit if you or any of your group have symptoms of Covid-19, have tested positive or if you’ve been asked to self-isolate. We’ll always follow the latest government guidance, and if anything changes we’ll update this page to let you know our plans.

Important information to consider before you book:

  • Face coverings are now legally required in all our indoor public places, including our visitor centres, shops, on all on-site transport, and in our cafes except when you are eating or drinking (unless exempt)
  • To keep everyone safe we’re continuing to limit visitor numbers at some sites and in some indoor spaces. Please book as soon as possible to secure your preferred trip date and times.
  • In order to process your enquiry as quickly as possible, please ensure you have provided the following information, or have this information ready when you speak to one of our advisers: visit arrival and departure time; age range of the group; subject(s) to be studied; learning objective; number of learners and leaders; name of trip organiser; name of trip leader; SEND requirements. Go to our bookings page to make an enquiry or update an existing booking.
  • Find out more about what to expect on your school visit and make sure you download our COVID risk assessments; download a free copy of managing education visits during the pandemic and if you're participating in a Discovery Visit download our managing Discovery Visits during the pandemic risk assessment
  • To make the planning process as easy as possible, make sure you check our Plan Your School Trip section at the bottom of this page, for updated information on the facilities at the site as well as our free resources.
  • You’ll need to book your visit at least 14 days in advance. Please check our terms and conditions for full details.
  • Although is it not a requirement, any teachers, parents, or students aged 16 years can check in via the NHS Test and Trace app, using the NHS QR code posters displayed at the site entrance. Please factor this into your travel/arrival time. For more information about how we are handling your personal data for NHS Test and Trace please visit this page.

At some sites you might not be able to use our handling collections or costumes as part of a free self-led visit, but where we can provide hands-on items in a safe way we will. We’ve adapted our Discovery Visit workshops to keep you and your group safe at all times, but for certain sessions we’re still working on this – please check the Discovery Visit section and Facilities section on this page below for further information.

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Curriculum Links

Support your teaching in the classroom by stepping out of it. A visit to Carisbrooke Castle will help you bring learning to life, covering multiple topics across the curriculum and key stages. 

  • KS1 History: Similarities and differences between ways of life in different time periods. Significant historical events, people and places in the locality
  • KS1 English and Drama: Take on the roles of Carisbrooke's most famous residents and their servants to find out what life was really like
  • KS2 History: A local history study. A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils' chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS3 History: A local history study. Development of Church, state and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509 and in Britain 1509-1745
  • KS3 Geography: Understand the strategic importance of the castle

Free self-led visits

Enjoy a free self-led visit to Carisbrooke Castle and organise your day to suit your curriculum needs. Carisbrooke has been an important focus of settlement since Roman times and illustrates the domestic side of castle life as well as attack and defence. Climb the steep steps to the top of the Norman keep and imagine how you would defend the castle from invaders, explore the castle and Edwardian garden, thinking about who lived there and what it might have been like. Our free handling box, full of replica items and even smell boxes can be used with our teaching resources to help you make the most of your visit.

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Expert-led Discovery Visits

Let our costumed experts bring the history of Carisbrooke Castle to life in a Discovery Visit workshop. For just £100 per session, your class will delve deeper into the story of the castle and the people who lived there, through hands-on learning activities including role-play, object handling and trying on costumes.  Our sessions are designed to support your teaching of the curriculum and learning back in the classroom.

Our Discovery Visits have been adapted to follow health and safety guidelines and will still offer your students a quality and fun learning experience.

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Itineraries

With so much to see and do during a visit to Carisbrooke Castle, our useful itineraries will help you plan your day. Whether it be a half or full day of activities that you're looking for, or would like to combine a visit to Carisbrooke Castle with Osborne or Yarmouth Castle, they're a useful tool to help you get the most out of your trip.

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Plan your trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. Download our free resources to help you make the most out of your visit and create unique learning experiences before, during and after your trip.

We also offer free planning visits for group leaders once you have made a booking. Our Education Booking Team is on hand to advise and help you create the best possible school trip to suit your needs and area of study.

  • Facilities
    • CASTLE GROUNDS: The castle grounds are open.
    • EXHIBITIONS: The castle's Guardhouse, offering an introduction to the site and its history is open.
    • MUSEUM: The Museum is open to visitors. Please check the main Carisbrooke webpage for further information on opening times.
    • PARKING: Free car park 100m from main entrance and space for 8 coaches. 
    • TOILETS: Toilets are located in a separate block inside the courtyard. An accessible toilet is located in the central courtyard. Toilets can be used by bubbles on a one in, one out policy. Additonal hand sanitising stations are available in various locations.
    • LUNCH: You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the grounds, and there is a large picnic area with benches and tables.
    • SHOP: There is a shop selling a wide range of books, gifts and Charles I themed souvenirs. We require you to bring your students in small groups at a time.
    • EDUCATION ROOM: Currently unavailable.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: There are four parking bays for Blue Badge holders near the castle entrance. Disabled drivers may park within castle courtyard, and disabled passengers may be set down there. The well house and ground floor of museum are accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. Due to the steep stairs, the wall walk and the upper floor of museum are inaccessible to wheelchair users.
  • Learning Resources

    A Teachers' Kit is a free educational tool packed with everything you need to give your group a deep insight into the place you are visiting. Featuring historical information, suggestions for activities, and high-quality images, this resource is a comprehensive toolkit for group leaders of various subjects and key stages. Teachers' Kits also include key site information, facilities and plans.

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