Overview

Carisbrooke Castle Museum was founded by Princess Beatrice, daughter of Queen Victoria, in 1898 as a museum of local history. “It is my earnest hope and desire,” she said, “that with the help and co-operation of others, I may be able to form a full collection of objects of historical interest connected with the Island.” The Museum collections still reflect Princess Beatrice’s aspiration, and the mission of the Museum is to collect and record the history of the people of the Isle of Wight and make it accessible to all. Further information on the Royal foundation of the Museum is available on this website.

Highlights

The Museum is only able to display a selection of its extensive collections, but ten of the most significant items on permanent display are described briefly below or in more detail here and marked on the corresponding floor plans. These and many more exhibits can be seen during a visit.

museum leaflet 2016

Collections

The Museum holds many important collections, which span the history of the Isle of Wight from Roman times to the present day. Lower Gallery with Castle exhibits

Carisbrooke Castle Through The Ages

Items associated with the people who lived and worked at the Castle over the last 1000 years.

King Charles I

King Charles I and two of his children were kept prisoner at Carisbrooke Castle during the English Civil War period. There is a small collection of the King’s personal possessions which he used prior to his execution in 1649.

Art Collection

The Museum has over 5,000 paintings, prints and drawings including work by JMW Turner, John Nixon and John Buncombe. They represent both local topographical scenes and Island personalities.

Professor John Milne

Professor John Milne FRS (1850–1913) was the founder of the science of seismology and the study of earthquakes. He lived on the Island and the Museum now houses his papers and photographs illustrating his life’s work first in Japan and then on the Isle of Wight.

Social History Collections

The Museum has a large social history collection of objects associated with both work and domestic life. These include agricultural tools, lace, clothes and shoes, coins minted on the Isle of Wight, local pottery and even the tower clock from East Cowes Castle.

Toy Collection

The Museum’s toy collection includes over 600 toys and games, many dating from the mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth century but the oldest, a carved ivory Tableman, dates back to the 12th century.

Military Collections

The Island has strong military history going back to medieval times and the Museum is home to two collections of military material, encompassing the Gough-Calthorpe collection, and the photographs, cups and uniforms of the local volunteer battalion the Isle of Wight Rifles.

The Royal Connection

Queen Victoria encouraged her recently-widowed daughter Princess Beatrice to set up Carisbrooke Castle Museum in the gatehouse of the Castle 1898 in memory of her husband, Prince Henry of Battenberg. From 1899, the Princess took on the role of Governor of the Isle of Wight and lived part time at Carisbrooke Castle for the rest of her life. She entertained many members of the Royal family here.