Castle Rushen

One of the best-preserved mediæval castles in the British Isles, if not Europe, Castle Rushen still dominates the skyline of Castletown, as it has done since the 12^th century.

In that time, it's been a fortress, a court, a jail and a parliament. It's been a scene of much drama and intrigue - sieges, rebellions, mutinies and executions. Now, run by Manx National Heritage, it features some excellent tableaux which show castle life at various times through the ages. Occasionally, period re-enactments are held in the castle and its grounds (which provide an amazing experience), and it sometimes hosts events like outdoor cinema showings and concerts.

As you might expect, given its often somewhat grim history, the castle claims to be home to a number of incorporeal residents. The ramparts are said to be walked by a lady in white and a woman in black. Which helps in telling them apart, we'd imagine. It's always nice to know who you're being haunted by.

There's a well-stocked souvenir shop (on cold days, usually the warmest room in the place) and Castletown is full of excellent places to eat and drink, many of them just yards from the castle.

Photo of Castle Rushen by Nathan Russell-Raby - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71070919

Access

There is plentiful parking in and around the town, however ease of access doesn't seem to have been a high prioity in the 12^th century. As a result, many areas of the castle are unaccessible to wheelchair users.

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