School Visits

Carisbrooke Castle School Visit Itineraries

A visit to Carisbrooke Castle is a great way to inspire your pupils and bring your teaching to life. Use our full day and half day itineraries to help plan your visit and create memorable learning experiences.

Experience Life in a Castle Itinerary

Enjoy a half day of activities at Carisbrooke Castle, starting with one of our two immersive Discovery Visits, which delve deeper into the history of the castle. Use our free handling collection, full of replica items such as a wooden archer's bow and even smell boxes, which can be used in conjunction with our free 'Top Things to see' resource activity.

Download our itinerary and make the most of the learning opportunities at Carisbrooke Castle.

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Delve Deeper into Carisbrooke Castle

Discover Carisbrooke Castle during a full day of activities. Begin with one of our two hands-on Discovery Visits and let your pupils experience what life was like for the people who lived and worked in the castle. Enjoy lunch on the Governor's Lawn and visit Carisbrooke Museum (managed by the Carisbrooke Museum Trust). Our free Teacher's Kit for KS1-4+ is full of activities to engage your pupils and bring their learning to life.

Download our itinerary and plan your day to suit your needs.

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A Tale of Two Castles in One Day Itinerary

Use our handy itinerary to help you plan a visit to both Carisbrooke Castle and Yarmouth Castle in one day. Enjoy our 'Water, Wells and Donkeys' Discovery Visit at Carisbrooke Castle, then explore more of the castle by using our handling boxes, full of replica items. Then on to Yarmouth Castle to discover one of Henry VIII's most sophisticated coastal fortresses, while enjoying the wonderful views across the Solent.

With so much to see and do, download our itinerary and let us help you plan your school trip.

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From a Royal Palace to Life in a Castle Itinerary

Make your day one to remember with a visit to Osborne and Carisbrooke Castle. Start your visit below-stairs with Mrs Smith the Housekeeper at Osborne, as you prepare for Queen Victoria's arrival during our hands-on Discovery Visit. Then on to enjoy the splendour of Osborne House during a free self-led tour. Head to Carisbrooke Castle, which is only 20 minutes away and use our free Teacher's Kit, full of fun activities. Finally take part in our 'Water, Wells and Donkeys' Discovery Visit, which will immerse your pupils in the history of the castle.

Download our itinerary and make the most of your visit to both Osborne and Carisbrooke Castle.

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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

    Carisbrooke Site Map

  • Hazard Information

    A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

    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
  • 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