Our day at Warwick Castle (Warwick Castle)

Name: WENCH36

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Product:	Warwick Castle
Date:	04.09.07 (159 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Loads to see and do!

Disadvantages: Dreams of Battle exhibit was a bit of a waste of space..

After previously checking on the internet what Warwick Castle has to offer, we decided to pay a visit yesterday (Sunday 3rd September) - 'we' being myself, my partner and 3 kids (boy 12, girl 9 & girl 7).



The journey from Derby took about 1 hour 10 mins and the castle was easy to find. There was ample car parking in the castle car park costing £3.
We bought a family ticket for £52, and because 'family' only consists of 2 adults + 2 children, we had to buy an additional child ticket for £10.95. I wanted a guide book costing another £3.95 so we'd spent quite a bit before we'd even gone through the gate!
However, we also got given tickets to the Ghost Tower, which we were under the impression had to be purchased separately, and which we weren't going to bother with in case the kids were scared.
Maybe this is the deal when you buy family tickets, but there were no notices to suggest Ghost Tower tickets were free with certain other tickets..?



On entering the castle enclosure, we decided to turn right and go anti-clockwise to the tower. The steep, winding stairs put my 9 year old off, and we waited for the others to come back down. We experienced no queues to see anything, and waited to be shown into the Ghost Tower...however, the screaming, faceless black robed 'monk' that came sweeping out in a cloud of smoke to 'greet' us sent my kids screaming back down the steps, leaving my partner to go in alone! He emerged about 10 mins later looking decidedly flushed, wild eyed and declaring the need for clean underwear!
I really don't think the Ghost Tower is suitable for under 14's to be honest - all the kids that came out were crying and looked in need of councelling!



The Great Hall was magnificent and the displays were interesting and informative. The series of rooms showing different scenes and containg waxwork dummies was also a hit with the kids, although 'Stanley' the butler, was approached with a mixture of revulsion and fascination.



Twice during the day, you could view the Trebuchet in operation. The kids found the operators run-up talk a bit wearing as he did waffle somewhat, and it WAS very hard to hear him across the river. Also, the bowman was doing displays but we didn't get chance to see him.
We decided to take our own food, which was a blessing as the food available at the castle was very expensive.
We ate at the picnic tables provided but the greedy inquisitive swans were a constant source of terror to my daughters and it did become quite a trial to eat our lunch in peace.
Eventually, we all managed to go up the tower, 9 year old included, and walked along the ramparts to the other towers where the views were lovely, and I was able to take some nice photos.



We left the dungeon till last as there was nobody else down there and it seemed more atmospheric. The general feeling down there was very muggy and cloying and I must hold my hands up to pushing past the kids like a coward to get back up the stairs and out in the fresh air.



All in all we had a thoroughly good day out and you could ALMOST say it was worth the money! We got there at 10am, stayed till closing at 6pm, and still didn't see all the gardens. In addition, the grounds, exhibitions and loos were all spotlessly clean and tidy, and we would definately go again.

Summary: Fantastic, full family day out but could do with being about £30 less!