Carisbrooke Castle , near Newport, Isle of Wight was constructed in the 11th century after the Norman invasion. During the first half of the 12th century a polygonal Keep was added and built upon an artificial mound. Around the same time, the stone curtain walls were built, with their square flanking towers at the south east and south west encompassing the bailey. On the western side of the curtain wall lies the twin-towered Gatehouse, dating from the 14th/15th century, replacing an earlier gateway built during the time of the Redvers family, who ruled the island until 1293. Following the family's departure from Carisbrooke, the castle was bought by Edward I.

Two medieval wells still exist within the castle: the Keep houses the first well, which is some 160ft deep; and the second well is contained in a 16th century wellhouse in the courtyard. This well has been in constant use since the 12th century, following a failure in the first well, and it is thought that prisoners were used to tread the waterwheel. Many of the domestic buildings at Carisbrooke date from the 13th century, including The Great Hall displaying an impressive fireplace provided by William de Montacute. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the Governor at that time, Sir George Carey, fortified Carisbrooke Castle against the ever increasing threat of invasion by Spain and her armada. These included the vast earthworks surrounding the castle.

One of the highlights of Carisbrooke castle is the 13th century chapel, commissioned by Countess Isabella, which as a memorial to King Charles I, who was imprisoned at Carisbrooke for over a year, was finally restored during the 20th century. Later still, it was decided that the chapel should become a memorial for all the people of the Island who died during the First and Second World Wars.

Carisbrooke castle is reputed to have a number of ghosts, befitting its long history. The deep well was the scene of the tragic drowning of Elizabeth Ruffin; her disembodied face is reputed to have been seen in the well water. The castle also has a Grey Lady, a phantom wearing a long cloak accompanied by four dogs, the ghosts of a man in a brown jerkin and trousers - seen near the moat, and other presences that have been felt by castle visitors.


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