Visit warwick castle


A brief History

Originally a Saxon town, Ethelfleda, daughter of King Alfred, selected Warwick as a suitable place to build a defensive mound by the river Avon to keep out the Danes.

Later the Normans also looked at Warwick as a good spot for a castle and William the Conqueror ordered a new and enlarged castle to be built on the site of this Saxon fortification. Henry de Newburgh was made its constable and became the Earl of Warwick.

During the Barons’ War the Earl was forcibly removed to Kenilworth by John Gifford and held to ransom. In 1265 he died and the title passed through his daughter to the Beauchamp family who, over the next 180 years, were responsible for building most of the castle as it stands today.

In 1449 the Beauchamps were succeeded by Richard Neville as the 16th Earl of Warwick. He was also known as “Warwick The Kingmaker” who deposed of Henry VI in favour of Edward IV and then imprisoned him in Warwick Castle.

Warwick Castle was used as a fortification until the early 17th century. In 1604 James I granted the castle to Sir Fulke Greville who repaired the castle at great expense and turned it into a lavish country residence.

Warwick Castle was purchased by the Tussauds Group in 1978. It is now a major tourist attraction but the stronghold is also protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade I listed building. 



things to do at Warwick Castle


Set in 64 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens, there is a lot to see and do from live shows, watching birds of prey to visiting the very scary Castle Dungeons. So grab yourself a map as soon as you arrive and plan your visit.


CASTLE TOURS AND SHOWS

Check out the schedule of Castle Tours and Shows. Ideally you would have done your homework and organised your entrance tickets in advance and get your timed tickets to visit the Princess Tower as soon as you arrive.


GREAT HALL AND STATE ROOMS

The Great Hall is the largest room in the castle. First constructed in the 14th century it was rebuilt in the 17th century to provide a grand entrance for those who wanted to visit the Earl of Warwick.

The State Dining Room has seen guests like Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, King Edward VII and Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Phillip in 1996.

The three Drawing Rooms are beautiful, filled with portraits and artefacts.

The Queen Anne Bedroom was formerly known as the State Bedroom and amazing tapestries created by Franciscus Spiringius in 1604 in Belgium surround this room.

THE CASTLE DUNGEONS

The Castle Dungeon walk through takes you on a journey through the castles darkest history. As Warwick Castle is now partly owned by Merlin  Entertainment expect a Disney type experience with lots of special effects and interactive involvement with live actors.

THE MIGHTY TREBUCHET

Warwick Castle is home to the world’s most powerful catapult. Seeing it in action is amazing. It was used to hurl huge projectiles to breach the castle walls, mostly large rocks and stones. To spread disease, manure and dead animals were also hurled by this machine into the besieged castle.

This Trebuchet here at Warwick Castle is an authentic copy of a medieval siege machine, was built in 2005 and is based on original designs from the 13th century.

HORRIBLE HISTORIES MAZE

This adventure maze is full of fun challenges. With different stamps to collect, the maze tells you to step back in time and is divided into six historical interactive zones including the Slimy Stuarts and the Vicious Vikings.

Make sure you escape the maze in good time and head straight to the shop with your collection of stamps to grab yourself a free badge.

BIRDS OF PREY SHOW

The Falconer’s Quest is the UK’s biggest bird of prey show which involves up to 60 birds soaring up into the sky. It brings to life the story of Hobby, the son of a local fisherman, who in 1356 longed to become a falconer.

Audience members are taken along this quest and can watch some amazing birds of prey like falcons, eagles and barn owls, hawks and condors.


LOCATION

Warwick Castle
Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 6AH

Take the M40 Motorway going west and come off at junction 15. Warwick Castle is well signposted and less than two miles from junction 15.

Official Website: Warwick Castle