CARISBROOKE CASTLE MUSEUM
The CIO exists to promote the education of the public in the history of Carisbrooke Castle and the Isle of Wight by the provision of a museum for the maintenance and public exhibition of a collection of objects, artefacts, specimens, books and documents and pictures and the extension, enhancement, conservation and maintenance of the collection.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the museum operates with a skeleton staff and faces financial pressures because its primary grant from English Heritage has not increased since 2016, despite rising wage costs. The trustees maintain a close-down reserve of approximately £50,000 as a contingency for potential closure and collection disposal. Visitor numbers have decreased by 6% compared to the previous year and remain below pre-pandemic levels.
What the accounts disclose
“The Museum has continued to face financial pressures due in the main to the UK financial crisis and the decision of English Heritage not to uplift the grant value, which has remained the same since 2016.”
“The close down reserve is a contingency in the event that the close down of the organisation and disposal of its collection in line with national accreditation recommendations. This reserve is reviewed annually to ensure it reflects inflationary pressures and lessons learnt from previous difficult financial years.”
“The close down reserve is a contingency in the event that the close down of the organisation and disposal of its collection in line with national accreditation recommendations.”
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (02/04/2024)
- Received assets from another charity (19/04/2022)
Trustees
- carol Alstromchair
- Gillian Elizabeth Kennett
- Gioia Maria Mingella-Giddens
- James Mitchell
- Mark Tidy
- Matthew Price
- Nicola Phillips
- Phillip Shannon
- Tracy Bull
- Victoria Lowthion
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £82k | £91k |
| 31/03/2024 | £93k | £117k |
| 31/03/2023 | £90k | £85k |
| 31/03/2022 | £0 | £0 |
| 31/03/2021 | £0 | £0 |
Common questions
Is CARISBROOKE CASTLE MUSEUM financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the museum operates with a skeleton staff and faces financial pressures because its primary grant from English Heritage has not increased since 2016, despite rising wage costs. The trustees maintain a close-down reserve of approximately £50,000 as a contingency for potential closure and collection disposal. Visitor numbers have decreased by 6% compared to the previous year and remain below pre-pandemic levels. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds CARISBROOKE CASTLE MUSEUM?
Funders whose own accounts filings name CARISBROOKE CASTLE MUSEUM as a grant recipient include ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSEUMS.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSEUMS | FY2025 | £350 | AIM Training Grants |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 12/12/2014 | £10k | "Museum and Memory" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 17/02/2014 | £10k | "The Isle of Wight at War - A reference framework" |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 29/11/2012 | £9k | Past Caring |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 17/03/2004 | £126k | "Carisbrooke Museum Education: Coherence & Outreach" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 18/06/2003 | £72k | "Acquisition of the Newtown Mace" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 29/04/2002 | £50k | "Enriching a Visit to the Castle" |