How to read a castle or a fort
A few clues help you see the towers, gates, banks and ditches.
Opening times, entry and access change. Check with Manx National Heritage, Visit IOM or the place you’re visiting before you set off. Details here show the date we checked them.
What to look for
- The defences were usually one or more banks or walls with a ditch outside. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Iron Age Fortifications
- Builders used natural features such as hilltops, cliffs and headlands. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Iron Age Fortifications
- Things to spot include the murder holes in the inner gatehouse and a gatehouse toilet, the “garderobe”. Manx National Heritage: Group visitor information for Castle Rushen
- Almost every door and window of the medieval castle can still be traced. Manx National Heritage: Castle Rushen Assessment of Significance (2017), on Planning Portal IoM
- Several hills are named Cronk ny Arrey Laa, “hill of the day watch”. Andrew Johnson, “Watch and Ward on the Isle of Man” (Scottish Society for Northern Studies, 2002)
Opening and entry (checked 3 Nov 2026)
Castle Rushen is closed for the winter and reopens in March 2027. Manx National Heritage: Castle Rushen · checked 3 Nov 2026 Peel Castle also reopens in March 2027. Manx National Heritage: Peel Castle · checked 3 Nov 2026
At Castle Rushen, children aged 16 or under go free with an adult. Manx National Heritage: Castle Rushen · checked 3 Nov 2026
Fort Island is open access all year round, with no admission fee. Manx National Heritage: St Michael’s Isle (Fort Island) · checked 3 Nov 2026
The Manx Museum in Douglas is open daily, 9.30am to 4.30pm, with free entry. Manx National Heritage: Manx Museum · checked 3 Nov 2026
The House of Manannan in Peel is open daily, 9.30am to 4.30pm. Manx National Heritage: House of Manannan · checked 3 Nov 2026
Coming up at Peel Castle (checked 3 Nov 2026)
Work on the Barbican Wall is planned from November 2026 to spring 2027, with scaffolding at the entrance. Manx National Heritage: Peel Castle · checked 3 Nov 2026
Before you set off
You climb 24 historic steps to reach the ticket barrier. Manx National Heritage: Access Guide to Peel Castle (2026) Peel Castle is all open-air, with uneven paths and no handrails around the site. Manx National Heritage: Access Guide to Peel Castle (2026)
The causeway bridge to Fort Island is narrow and in places has no walls, so drive slowly. Manx National Heritage: St Michael’s Isle (Fort Island)
The field at Cass ny Hawin may have livestock in it; do not bother the animals. Manx National Heritage: Cass ny Hawin
Next: the big facts page →