A visit to a Castle is one of those must do activities when visiting new locations and a visit to Carisbrooke is certainly one that I would recommend.
Carisbrooke is a village just outside Newport (Isle of Wight) and situated across a very prominent hill is Carisbrooke Castle. It is a fine defensive position and indeed prior to the Normans building on this spot there is evidence that the Anglo Saxons had already beaten them to it.
The Gate House
The Motte and Bailey are Norman, they recon on about 1100 as a good date for the founding of this castle. When we were there several school trips were on educational visits and I can think of no better castle for them to see and learn about the development of a defensive castle. Apart from the original motte and bailey, a tower was added and then as time and needs changed, a Great Hall, Parade Ground and the usual trappings needed for a garrison. But what is most impressive is the defensive walls, and even these have changed over the centuries as European events unfolded. An outer perimeter artillery field was constructed and surrounded by an outer wall of over 1 mile in length.
There is a great deal of the Castle still standing which I suppose is due to the fact that it has held a ceremonial role as residence for the Islands Governors but perhaps of greater importance it was the home of Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Beatrice.
The Privy Garden was a favourite place for the Princess and a few years ago the garden was redesigned using as inspiration old plans and planting only plants that would have been familiar to her. The Privy garden is now renamed the Princess Beatrice Garden in her honour.
Chapel of St. Nicholas.
There has been a chapel within the Castle since 1086 and it is thought to have been on the site of the current Chapel of St. Nicholas. Indeed there have been many Chapel reconstruction over the centuries. You could also be forgiven for thinking that the current Chapel is ‘old’ but the truth is that it was rebuilt in 1904. It is also very appropriate that after the 1st World War the Chapel was dedicated as the Islands War Memorial for those Islands who did not return from the conflict. The names of those lost are engraved on the walls and subsequent conflicts has seen the number of names increase.
Just a brief comment on those School kids. 8 coach loads of all ages from 10 to 16, noisy yes! But all very well behaved and polite. They listened asked questions and were a credit to the teachers. I suppose their parents will want some credit too!
5th July 2011
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 