Plan your trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. You can find all our site-specific information and tools below, and further information on our what to expect page. 

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 once you have made a booking, plus a 20% discount on the official English Heritage guidebook for your place of choice.

Once you book your visit you’ll be sent a visit permit, which you’ll need to bring with you on the day.

Visit our bookings page to start planning your trip! 

• 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.

  Site Map

  

• Hazard Information

  A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

  • Carisbrooke Castle Hazard Information (58.2 KB)

  You must meet the following ratios for leaders to students on the day of your visit when booking, and if your group is forming smaller groups while at the site:

  • Ages 4-5 (UK Reception) 1 leader for every 4 students (1:4)
  • Ages 5-7 (UK Key Stage 1) 1 leader for every 6 students (1:6)
  • Ages 7-11 (UK Key Stage 2) 1 leader for every 10 students (1:10) and
  • Ages 11-18 (UK Key Stages 3, 4, and 5) 1 leader for every 15 students (1:15)
  • For an adult learning group, consisting of individuals all over the age of 18, there are no ratios but there must be an appointed group leader
  • All ratios outlined above apply to home education groups
  • If your group consists of children aged 3 and/or 4, you must also refer to the Early Years and Foundation Stage Statutory Framework which sets out specific legal requirements for minimum ratios for this age group, to include requirements about the qualifications of the leaders
  • SEND groups must meet the minimum ratios above but may bring any additional leaders as required to adequately support their group

• Risk Assessments

  Our ready-made Discovery Visit Risk Assessments take the hassle out of planning.

  • Water Wells and Donkeys Risk Assessment.pdf (73.0 KB)
  • Who Lives in a House Like This? Risk Assessment.pdf (72.0 KB)

• Education Site Opening Times

  We offer free self-led education visits during school term time^*. From November until March we open exclusively for education groups at selected sites when booking an expert-led Discovery Visit. See our education opening times below for individual site information.

  ^*Free education visits are not offered on UK public holidays or during the operation of additional fee paying public events at English Heritage sites.

  • April-October: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
  • November-February Half Term: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm
  • February Half Term: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm
  • February Half Term-March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday