
Carisbrooke Castle
Newport, Isle of Wight
A thousand years of fortress above Newport, with a long circuit of walls and banks for your dog, though not the museum.
Carisbrooke has been defending the Isle of Wight for over a thousand years and gives you a lot for the ticket. It began as an Anglo-Saxon earthwork against Viking raids, and the Normans raised the shell keep on the towering mound. Charles I was imprisoned here after his Civil War defeat and made a failed escape through a window, and Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria's daughter, later made it her summer home.
Whilst you climb the keep mound, work through the Charles I memorabilia and take in the award winning Edwardian style Princess Beatrice Garden, your dog gets the earthworks, which are the real appeal. There is a long circuit of the walls and banks with big open views, plus level lawns inside, so you can make a real walk of it rather than a lap.
Dogs on leads are allowed but not in the museum, with assistance dogs welcome throughout. Parking for around 100 cars is free to members. Café, shop, toilets, exhibition and picnic seating are on site. The climb up the keep mound is steep, so plan around an older dog.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Dogs on leads are allowed, but not in museum. Assistance dogs welcome.
- Site Type
- Castle & Fort
- Entry
- £15.30 adult
- £7.65 child · £38.25 family
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Café / restaurant, Exhibition, Gardens, Museum, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets, Wheelchair access
- Telephone
- 01983 522107
- Parking
- Parking for around 100 cars; free for English Heritage members displaying a valid car sticker. Non-members must pay.
English Heritage Membership
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Entry here is £15.30 for an adult. English Heritage Membership covers it, along with free entry to 170+ dog friendly attractions across England.
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Planning Your Visit
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Thursday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Friday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Sunday
- 10:00 - 17:00
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carisbrooke Castle dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome at Carisbrooke Castle and there's genuinely plenty for them to enjoy. They can join you on the long circuit of the walls and earthworks, which offers big open views, as well as on the level lawns inside the castle grounds. The one area off limits is the museum, though assistance dogs are welcome throughout the whole site.
Are dogs allowed at Carisbrooke Castle year round?
The listing doesn't specify any seasonal restrictions on dogs, so there's nothing to suggest access changes throughout the year. That said, it's always worth checking directly with English Heritage before you visit, particularly around special events or busy periods.
What should I know before visiting Carisbrooke Castle with my dog?
Dogs must be kept on leads at all times, and they aren't permitted inside the museum. The climb up the keep mound is steep, so if you have an older or less mobile dog it's worth planning your route with that in mind — the earthworks circuit and the lawns offer plenty of interest without the steep ascent. On the practical side, parking is free for English Heritage members with a valid car sticker, while non-members will need to pay, and there's a café, picnic seating and toilets on site to keep both of you comfortable.
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