Situated in the heart of Castletown, the Island’s ancient capital, Castle Rushen is one of Europe’s most finely preserved medieval castles and fortress of the Kings and Lords of Mann.

• Cross the drawbridge and watch out for the murder holes in the Inner Gatehouse.
• Learn about the castle through the ages.
• Join Bishop Wilson in his Cell and listen to his story.
• Meet the castle guards and see their vaulted rooms.
• Climb the castle's spiral staircase and enjoy panoramic views of Castletown and beyond.
• Visit the gatehouse and en suite ‘garderobe’.
• See the ancient workings of the castle clock.
• Dine with the Kings and Lords of Mann.
• Discover medieval tapestries and the tales they tell.
• Enter the Great Chamber and sit in the Lord’s Chair.
• Experience the sights and smells of the medieval kitchen.
• Walk around the Castle’s towering limestone walls.

Information for Disabled Visitors:

The Castle does not have its own car park. There is a convenient public car park nearby. The grounds of the Castle are mainly accessible to wheelchair users with assistance. The inside rooms can only be accessed by staircase. Wheelchair accessible toilet facilities available. There is not a hearing assistance system. Registered assistance dogs are welcomed. Staff receive some disability awareness training. Guided tours can be arranged for visually impaired and blind visitors and large format information about the site can be provided. It is the policy of Manx National Heritage to admit the assistant or carer of a disabled person free of charge.

How to get there:

• By foot and road: situated in the town centre, signposted in Castletown.
• By bus: 1, 2, 8, 11, 12.
• Steam Railway: all stations to Castletown.
• Parking: public car parks and 2 hour disc zone parking nearby.

Opening times 2012:

Low Season - 10th March to 31st May and 1st September to 5th November, 10am to 4pm

High Season - 1st June to 31st August, 10am to 5pm

Admission Charges: £3.00 Children (under 18 years) and Students, £5.80 Adults, £14.00 Family (2 adults and 2 children).

Free admission is available to holders of a valid Season Pass, 10 Day Heritage Explorer Pass, ACE cardholders and reciprocal agreement members.

Group discounts are available for groups of 15 or more people, with the greatest savings available to pre-booked groups. For further details, please click here.

Heritage attractions nearby: the Nautical Museum, the Old House of Keys and the Old Grammar School in Castletown, and Rushen Abbey in Ballasalla.

Further information

Castle Rushen is situated at the centre of Mann's historic capital, Castletown, and is one of Europe's most finely preserved medieval castles. Its origins can be found in the Norse period when Norse Kings fortified a strategic site guarding the entrance to the Silverburn River. The Castle was developed by successive rulers of Mann between the 13th and 16th centuries, and its towering limestone walls would have been visible over much of southern Mann - a continual reminder to the local population of the dominance of the Kings and Lords of Mann.