What are the opening hours?

Monday 10:30am - 4:45pm Tuesday 10:30am - 4:45pm Wednesday 10:30am - 4:45pm Thursday 10:30am - 4:45pm Friday 10:30am - 4:45pm Saturday 10:30am - 4:45pm Sunday 10:30am - 4:45pm

Carisbrooke Castle Museum

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Carisbrooke Castle Museum

Museum of Isle of Wight history founded by HRH Princess Beatrice in 1898.

07/08/2026

📣 Heroism, Humour and the Hump by Damon Corr
🎟 Tickets: £7.50
Book now: https://CCM-IsleofWightFirefighting.eventbrite.co.uk

Join us at Carisbrooke Castle Museum for an engaging and interactive talk by local fire service historian Damon Corr, exploring the fascinating history of the Isle of Wight's firefighting services.

Beginning with the development of firefighting across Britain, Damon sets the scene before bringing the story closer to home with a series of remarkable tales from the Island's fire brigades between 1850 and 1948.

The audience helps shape the presentation by choosing which stories are told, uncovering acts of heroism, moments of humour, and the colourful characters who helped shape the Island's firefighting history.

🗓️ Date & Time: Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 7 PM
📍 Location: Carisbrooke Castle Museum
🎟️ Tickets: £7.50 – Book now
https://CCM-IsleofWightFirefighting.eventbrite.co.uk

⭐ Museum Supporters attend FREE
Support from just £3/month and get:
• Free entry to talks
• Exclusive events
• Help preserve local heritage

👉 Monthly: https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT0003V4GCFSCE
👉 Annual: https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT0003V4FGFQXW

⏰ Gates open: 6:45–6:55 PM, talk starts promptly at 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Carisbrooke Castle Museum

01/08/2026

🏊‍♀️🏆 Celebrating one of the Isle of Wight's longest-running sporting traditions

The Sandown to Shanklin Pier-to-Pier Swim is one of the Isle of Wight's longest-running sporting traditions. Originating in 1934 by Terry Wood, the annual open-water race covers 1.8 miles across Sandown Bay, beginning beside Sandown Pier and finishing on the beach at Shanklin. Revived in the 1950s, the race celebrates its 72nd anniversary this year.

Originally, competitors swam directly between Sandown and Shanklin Piers. After Shanklin Pier was destroyed by a storm in 1987, the finish line was moved to the rowing club, where it remains today.

The Pier-to-Pier Swim forms part of the Shanklin Regatta and has been organised by a number of local groups over the years. For more than 20 years, the Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club has organised the annual race, which now attracts over 200 swimmers each year.

To celebrate this fantastic Island tradition, we're delighted to have the historic collection of Pier-to-Pier Swim trophies and awards on display at Carisbrooke Castle Museum. Our thanks go to the Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club for kindly loaning the collection.

If you're visiting the museum, be sure to take a look!

📸 (Image courtesy of Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club)

30/07/2026

📣 Don't Miss Out!
📣 Quarr Abbey - Almost 900 Years by Dr Dominic Fontana FRGS FSA
🎟 Tickets: £7.50
Book now: https://CCM-QuarrAbbey.eventbrite.co.uk

Dr Dominic Fontana FGRS FSA is Chair of the Friends of Quarr and conducts tours of the Abbey and the Abbey Ruins. He has been involved with the creation of a series of exhibitions examining the history and archaeology of the Abbey. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and the Royal Geographical Society. Before retiring he taught undergraduate and postgraduate students in Geography at University of Portsmouth. He has appeared in many television documentary films discussing the Mary Rose, heritage railways and the Battle of Hastings.

This well illustrated talk will consider almost 900 years of the two abbeys at Quarr – the medieval abbey founded in 1132, dissolved in 1536 and the modern Benedictine abbey built by exiled monks from France between 1907 and 1914.

🗓️ Date & Time: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 7 PM
📍 Location: Carisbrooke Castle Museum
🎟️ Tickets: £7.50 – Book now
https://CCM-QuarrAbbey.eventbrite.co.uk

⭐ Museum Supporters attend FREE
Support from just £3/month and get:
• Free entry to talks
• Exclusive events
• Help preserve local heritage
👉 Monthly: https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT0003V4GCFSCE
👉 Annual: https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT0003V4FGFQXW

⏰ Gates open: 6:45–6:55 PM, talk starts promptly at 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Carisbrooke Castle Museum

23/07/2026

📣 The Isle of Wight on Film and TV by Mark Earp
⭐Free for Museum Supporters
🎟 Tickets: £7.50
Book now: https:/IOWonFilm.eventbrite.co.uk

Mark Earp returns to Carisbrooke Castle Museum after his highly regarded talk ealier this year. Mark will delve into the history of our wonderful island and its history on screen in film and television.

🗓️ Date & Time: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 7 PM
📍 Location: Carisbrooke Castle Museum
🎟️ Tickets: £7.50 – Book now
https://IOWonFilm.eventbrite.co.uk

⭐ Museum Supporters attend FREE
Support from just £3/month and get:
• Free entry to talks
• Exclusive events
• Help preserve local heritage

👉 Monthly: https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT0003V4GCFSCE
👉 Annual: https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT0003V4FGFQXW

⏰ Gates open: 6:45–6:55 PM, talk starts promptly at 7:00 PM

📍 Location: Carisbrooke Castle Museum

03/07/2026

🚨Kevin Shaw returns for a special event 🚨

📣 Sir Robert Holmes The Swashbuckling, Action-Packed Life of an Intrepid Cavalier Adventurer

Somehow, against all odds, this fearless soldier-sailor survived both the Civil War and then four years at sea with Prince Rupert (fighting for the lost royalist cause) enduring both capture by hostile natives and two shipwrecks. With the Restoration came reward and controversy: as an irascible friend of King Charles II, his personal actions at sea started two wars with the then-mighty Dutch – in one of which Holmes sank 150 enemy ships in a single action. As Captain-Governor of the Isle of Wight for 24 years, he became immensely wealthy through profiteering, and made Yarmouth his main home – choosing to be interred in its church beneath his striking marble statue.

🗓️ Date & Time: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 6:30 PM
📍 Location: Carisbrooke Castle Museum
🎟️ Tickets: £10 – Book now
👉 https://KevinShawCCM.eventbrite.co.uk

Don't miss this fascinating evening – spaces are limited, booking is essential.
Please note: Gates open from 6:15 PM to 6:25 PM, with the talk starting promptly at 6:30 PM.
All proceeds support the work of Carisbrooke Castle Museum.

19/06/2026

📣 Early Modern Newport by Steve and Jo– Free for Museum Supporters
🎟 Tickets: £7.50
Book now: https://CCM-Restore.eventbrite.co.uk

Over the past months Steve and Jo have been researching, uncovering, and piecing together a fascinating exhibition centred around Newport’s story and heritage. It has led them down some very interesting paths, revealing details and connections that many people may never have seen before.

Join Steve and Jo from Restore the Story at Carisbrooke Castle Museum as they return to the museum for their second talk this year, where this time they willdelve into the history of early modern Newport.

Restore The Story CIC is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to uncovering, celebrating, and sharing the rich and often untold histories of the Isle of Wight. Founded and run by professional historians, researchers, and seasoned storytellers Steve and Jo, we bring the past to life through immersive tours, creative projects, and engaging exhibitions.

🗓️ Date & Time: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 7 PM
📍 Location: Carisbrooke Castle Museum
🎟️ Tickets: £7.50 – Book now
https://CCM-Restore.eventbrite.co.uk

⭐ Museum Supporters attend FREE
Support from just £3/month and get:
• Free entry to talks
• Exclusive events
• Help preserve local heritage
👉 Monthly: https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT0003V4GCFSCE
👉 Annual: https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT0003V4FGFQXW

⏰ Gates open: 6:45–6:55 PM, talk starts promptly at 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Carisbrooke Castle Museum

18/06/2026

📣 Don't Miss Out!
Fundraising Talk at Carisbrooke Castle Museum

**Her Earnest Hope and Desire**
by Rosemary Cooper

🎟 Tickets: https://BeatriceFundraiser.eventbrite.co.uk
💛 Donate to the conservation project: https://gofund.me/0f8f4d585

Two historic portraits at Carisbrooke Castle Museum are in need of urgent conservation.

Join us on Wednesday 24 June for a special fundraising talk supporting the conservation of two important portraits in the museum’s collection.
These portraits depict Princess Beatrice and Prince Henry of Battenberg, key figures in the creation of Carisbrooke Castle Museum. They are now in need of conservation to ensure they can be preserved for future generations.

The talk explores their lives, their connection to Carisbrooke Castle, and Princess Beatrice’s vision that led to the founding of the museum and the safeguarding of the Isle of Wight’s heritage.

🎟 Tickets: £7.50
https://BeatriceFundraiser.eventbrite.co.uk
💛 If you cannot attend but would still like to support the project:
https://gofund.me/0f8f4d585
All proceeds from the evening will go directly towards the restoration of these portraits.
📍 Carisbrooke Castle Museum
⏰ Doors open 6:45 PM, talk starts 7:00 PM

11/06/2026

📣 Fundraising Talk at Carisbrooke Castle Museum

🎟 Tickets: https://BeatriceFundraiser.eventbrite.co.uk
💛 Donate to the conservation project: https://gofund.me/0f8f4d585

**Her Earnest Hope and Desire**
by Rosemary Cooper

Join us on Wednesday 24 June for a special fundraising talk supporting the conservation of two important portraits in the museum’s collection.

These portraits depict Princess Beatrice and Prince Henry of Battenberg, key figures in the creation of Carisbrooke Castle Museum. They are now in need of conservation to ensure they can be preserved for future generations.

The talk explores their lives, their connection to Carisbrooke Castle, and Princess Beatrice’s vision that led to the founding of the museum and the safeguarding of the Isle of Wight’s heritage.

🎟 Tickets: £7.50
https://BeatriceFundraiser.eventbrite.co.uk

💛 If you cannot attend but would still like to support the project:
https://gofund.me/0f8f4d585

All proceeds from the evening will go directly towards the restoration of these portraits.

📍 Carisbrooke Castle Museum
⏰ Doors open 6:45 PM, talk starts 7:00 PM

04/06/2026

📣 At Home with The Spartali Family - Susan Weeks

Join us at Carisbrooke Castle Museum on Wednesday 3 June, 7:00 PM
🎟 Tickets: £7.50
Book now: https://CCM-Weeks.eventbrite.co.uk

Research into the history of her private Island residence opened a door for Susan Weeks into a forgotten past that had been locked away for over a century.
Susan reveals the untold story of her Victorian home at Sandford House which was formerly the country seat of its original owner The Spartali Family.

Her presentation describes their lives and widespread Island connections, focusing most especially on that of Marie Spartali, daughter of the house, whose own pioneering career made her arguably the greatest female artist painting in the Pre Raphaelite style. Being labelled “a stunner” Marie became the popular choice as both model and muse for many famous names including Dimbola’s very own Julia Margaret Cameron.

Susan's extensive research brings us up the present day and a unique family reunion.

🗓️ Date & Time: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 7 PM
📍 Location: Carisbrooke Castle Museum
🎟️ Tickets: £7.50 – Book now
⭐ Museum Supporters attend FREE

Support from just £3/month and get:
• Free entry to talks
• Exclusive events
• Help preserve local heritage
👉 Monthly: https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT0003V4GCFSCE
👉 Annual: https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT0003V4FGFQXW

⏰ Gates open: 6:45–6:55 PM, talk starts promptly at 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Carisbrooke Castle Museum

18/05/2026

📣 The Royal Children on the Isle of Wight by Mark Earp

Join us at Carisbrooke Castle Museum on Wednesday 3 June, 7:00 PM
🎟 Tickets: £7.50
Book now: https://RoyalChildrenCCM.eventbrite.co.uk

The presentation is a summary of the 9 Royal children's upbringing on the Isle of Wight. To some degree a period of stability before their continuing journey into adult life. Which would take them all into different Royal house holds across Europe.

🗓️ Date & Time: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 7 PM
📍 Location: Carisbrooke Castle Museum
🎟️ Tickets: £7.50 – Book now

⭐ Museum Supporters attend FREE
Support from just £3/month and get:
• Free entry to talks
• Exclusive events
• Help preserve local heritage
👉 Monthly: https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT0003V4GCFSCE
👉 Annual: https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT0003V4FGFQXW

⏰ Gates open: 6:45–6:55 PM, talk starts promptly at 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Carisbrooke Castle Museum

Address

Castle Hill
Newport
PO301XY

Opening Hours

Monday	10:30am - 4:45pm
Tuesday	10:30am - 4:45pm
Wednesday	10:30am - 4:45pm
Thursday	10:30am - 4:45pm
Friday	10:30am - 4:45pm
Saturday	10:30am - 4:45pm
Sunday	10:30am - 4:45pm

Telephone

01983523112

Website

http://www.carisbrookecastlemuseum.org.uk/

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