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. This was way back in 914 AD.

Later the Normans also looked at Warwick as a good spot for a castle and in 1068 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.

Warwick castle front view

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.

warwick castle entrance 1
Warwick castle view from tower 2




things to do at warwick castle

Warwick Castle is a great day out. Set in 64 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens, there is a lot to see and do from live shows, visiting the impressive Great Hall and State Rooms, watching birds of prey and so much more. The Castle has a rich and exciting history and is one of the most complete fortresses in Britain.

warwick castle inner courtyard

Kids have a lot of fun at Warwick Castle because it has many interactive experiences, shows and demonstrations. Grown ups enjoy this castle visit just as much.

Interactive experiences

  • Zog Playland - there is a zip line, tunnels and a tower
  • Horrible Histories Maze - where kids solve challenges and collect stamps for a free badge
  • Princess Tower - there is a riddle to solve to save Princess Eve
  • Kingmaker Experience - what it was like to prepare for battle in medieval England
  • The Castle Dungeon experience
warwick castle kingmaker scene 1

Preparing for battle

warwick castle blacksmith

Blacksmith at work

So grab yourself a map as soon as you arrive and plan to spend a full day at the castle. Make sure you join a Castle History Tour. The free guided tours are very informative and led by a team of expert historians covering a range of popular topics. Times for the History Tours can be checked on the notice board outside the Great Hall.




GREAT HALL

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.

warwick castle great hall

Great Hall

It houses historic artifacts and a great collection of armour that the Earl of Warwick amassed during the 19th century.

warwick castle armoury 2

Kenilworth Buffet

Warwick Castle knight in great hall

Knight in armour

Make sure you stop and admire the magnificent Kenilworth Buffet, a gigantic sideboard carved in solid oak by the craftsmen Cooke & Sons of Warwick. It was handcrafted from a single oak tree that was cut down at Kenilworth Castle in 1842.



state rooms

The State Rooms are unique and tell a tale of a bygone era. Take a free guided tour led by a member of the History team or explore the State Rooms at your leisure.

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.

Warwick Castle dining room

State Dining Room

The Drawing Rooms are beautiful, filled with portraits and artefacts. Expect to see beautifully panelled rooms filled with 16th century portraits, artefacts collected by Henry Greville, 3rd Earl of Warwick, a State Bedroom now called the Queen Anne Bedroom and much more.


warwick castle red drawing roon

Red Drawing Room


Warwick castle green drawing room

Green Drawing Room

warwick castle queen anne room

Queen Anne Bedroom

warwick castle chapel

The Chapel

The family chapel at Warwick Castle was commissioned by Sir Fulke Greville in the early 17th century. Right up to the middle of the 20th century the Earls of Warwick attended services there.




THE CASTLE DUNGEON

The entrance to the Castle Dungeon is on the left as you are facing the courtyard shop. Your One Day Castle Entry ticket does not include entry to the dungeon so look out for an extra charge.

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.

warwick castle dungeon entrance

Is the Castle Dungeon worth a visit?

Yes if you are visiting with children aged 11 to 16. Under 10 year olds might find the attraction a bit scary with all the spooky stuff going on and the older kids will probably expect more. As an adult I might give it a miss.




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.

warwick castle trebuchet 5

This Trebuchet here at Warwick Castle is an authentic copy of a medieval siege machine. It weighs 22 tonnes and is close to 18 meters tall. Look out for Trebuchet Talks on River Island when you are visiting. You will learn how this catapult played a vital role in defending the castle.




HORRIBLE HISTORIES MAZE

This adventure maze is full of fun challenges for kids like invading a Viking ship, surviving the trenches and uncovering evil plots.

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, the Vicious Vikings, Terrifying Tudors, Measly Middle Ages, Stormin' Normans and Frightful First World War.

warwick castle maze entrance
warwick castle maze

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. The show takes place alongside the river Avon within the castle grounds and it's great fun to watch the birds swoop down and diving back up into the sky above.

warwick castle birds of prey 2

Expect a bigger show inolving more birds in the summer and during school holidays.



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