Carisbrooke Castle

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Our view

"Explore a castle with strong royal associations and visit an isolated church."

Walk directions

From the car park, and facing Carisbrooke Priory, turn left and walk along the road. Take the footpath (N193) left and go ahead past a gate, soon sloping through the trees. At the ruins of Carisbrooke Castle, bear left and follow the path along the castle walls. Turn left through a gate at the car park and follow the public footpath sign (N88) for Millers Lane, descending into a shady gully.

Turn right on reaching the road, pass the end of Millers Lane and walk to a kissing gate and path (N104) on the left, signposted ‘Bowcombe’. Cross a plank bridge and turn left along the marshy field to a stile and cross the pastures. Cross two more stiles and keep ahead to meet a track, beyond Plaish Farm.

Turn right here and follow the enclosed path, bending left where the path splits after 150yds (137m). Turn left on reaching the track at Bowcombe Farm. Pass an unmarked footpath on the left, and soon turn right onto a track heading towards a belt of woodland. Veer left at the corner of Frogland Copse, signed ‘Chillerton Down’, and follow the field edge to a bridleway sign (N146 Gatcombe).

Bear right through the trees and continue ahead up the slope, skirting the field boundary. Go through a gate into the next field, enjoy the views east, then pass through the bridle gate and into the conifer-rich woodland of Dukem Copse. Follow the track inside the woodland edge as far as the signposted turning towards Gatcombe (G22) on your left.

Turn left through a gate and continue along the field edge. On reaching a path to Garstons, ignore the gate on the left but descend to the right and then swing left to a gate. Follow the bridleway down and turn right just before Newbarn Farm. Bear right at the entrance and, where the lane hooks left, keep right ahead along the bridleway (G6 to Chilerton). At the edge of Tolt Copse ignore the path right and bear left, soon to leave the Shepherds Trail, keeping ahead along a bridleway (G8 to Brook Lane) continuing towards Sheat Manor.

Before the manor, at a junction of paths, turn left, following the path past three cottages, then bear left again and keep to the winding path as it ascends to woodland. Proceed through the wood and descend to a lane beside St Olave’s Church. Turn right to explore it.

On leaving the church, go straight ahead to walk along Gatcombe Road, pass Rectory Lane, then turn right on the bridleway (G6 to Gatcombe) at a driveway signed to Copsewood House, rejoining the Shepherds Trail. Pass between properties on a concrete track and then Copsewood House at the top. Ascend the narrow path and climb quite steeply through trees. Pass over a track, then go through a gate and follow the path round the left-hand field edge, the tall clock tower of Gatcombe Manor below and to your right.

Go through another gate and keep beside the field boundary. Rise up to another field and keep ahead on the public bridleway (N108 to Whitcombe Cross) and then into a shady gully which widens. Arrive at the junction of Froglands Lane and Whitcombe Road and turn left to reach the car park.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Field and downland paths and tracks, some roads, 3 stiles

Landscape - Farmland and open chalk downland

Dog friendliness - Keep dogs under control

Parking - Car park opposite Carisbrooke Priory entrance

Toilets en route - There are toilets in Carisbrooke Castle, for which you will need to pay an entry fee or be an English Heritage member

Walks in Isle of Wight Dog-friendly walks in Isle of Wight

About the walk

On a spur of chalk downland, 150ft (46m) above the village, the site of a Roman fort, Carisbrook Castle, a grand medieval ruin, commands a perfect military location, overlooking the Bowcombe Valley and the approaches to the heart of the island. You can walk the battlements, experience the majestic...

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Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Small and intimate – at just 23 miles by 13 miles, the Isle of Wight is a popular holiday destination; with its mild climate, long hours of sunshine and colourful architecture, it has something of a continental flavour. Visitors can walk along the island’s varied coastline using the well-established Coast Path or step back in time to explore the island’s history at some of the forts and castles.