Warwick Castle-Home of Knights and Dungeons. (Warwick Castle)

Member Name: TimStavert

Product:	Warwick Castle
Date:	10/09/09 (82 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of entertainment and beutiful Grounds

Disadvantages: Expensive with Dungeon and Parking added on.

Warwick Castle

Home of Knights and Dungeons
My wife and I took a right hand fork on the A44 to Stratford un Avon to look at the very appealing Warwick Castle earlier last month (August 2009), a trip down memory lane when we took our young children to see this magnificent monument to our heritage.
Now they had grown up and left home gave us the opportunity to look at the history of our bloody conflicts that took part over the years. It was over twenty years since we had taken our children and it has changed. With so much going on with attraction throughout the days, keep the children occupied and interested in the history of this country through the attractions. The history has a long line of Royal involvement so I concentrate on the history of the building construction.
The History begins in the 11th Century when Danish invaders threatening, an invasion. The daughter of Alfred the Great (Ethelfleda), ordered the building of a 'burgh' or an earthen rampart to protect the small hill top settlement of Warwick from the Danes.
In 1068 William the Conqueror, built bailey fort, consisting of a large earth mound with a timber stockade around both the top and base of the hill. And twenty years later appointed Henry de Beaumont (c. 1088-1119), as Castellan or Constable.
In 1260 the construction of the castle was rebuilt with stone replacing wood.
1350 Caesar's Tower and Dungeon constructed and 1395 Guy's Tower was completed, reaching a height of 39m
1450 Gatehouse and barbican are completed
1540 Improvements include a new roof for the kitchens, reinforcement of the south front, the building of Spy Tower and an extension to the State Rooms for a royal visit.
1642 Royalist soldiers, taken during the Civil War, were imprisoned in the Dungeon, one of them scratching a note onto the dungeon wall.
1750 Lancelot 'Capability' Brown is commissioned to landscape the gardens. 1763 The State dining room completed by leading English craftsmen.
1871 Fire swept through the Private Apartments, damaging the Great Hall before being controlled
1890 The Mill is converted to an electricity generating plant, providing electric lighting for the castle and power for an electric launch and car.
1978 In November 1978, Warwick Castle was sold to The Tussaud's Group
2000 To mark the millennium, The Armory is refurbished and the 'Death or Glory' attraction opened in February 2000, telling the stories of battles over the centuries, as well as hosting events including Jousting Knights and Christmas Festivals. 2001 New special events include Jousting Nights and The Christmas Festival. 2002 The Castle Mill & Engine House opened following extensive renovation.
Finally in 2005 The World's largest trebuchet (med evil siege engine) arrived at Warwick Castle, measuring 18 meters high and weighing in at 22 tons and is quite an attraction on their show nights. (See Events on Warwick Castle web site).
There is a play area as soon as you enter from the courtyard and of course plenty of burger bars and refreshments (No wonder there are so many obese people in the UK).
The first bit of entertainment was an archer giving a well detailed talk and demonstration on archery and the history of the medieval era.
Then we went around the side of the castle where there is a working water mill that helps power the electric in the castle. This is a working museum with history of the mechanics of the mill.
As we walked around by the river Avon which runs through the beautiful and picturesque country side, we saw a demonstration of Jousting and sword fighting with knights in shining armour which was very entertaining.
After having a picnic by the river, we walked to the falconry where the birds of prey awaited their turn to fly and display their predatory skills to the many visitors with spectacular shows as they flew only feet above our heads with their six feet plus wing spans.
Next was the conservatory with tropical plants and trees, which was bbuilt by local mason, William Eborall in 1786
There were few plants and this I found slightly disappointing by the size of the area, but it was very hot and humid in there, so I guess that was just as well. There is a beautiful view of the park and grounds from there and benches to sit and admire and appreciate the atmosphere of years gone by. Here you could also hear the eerie screeching sound of the many peacocks in all their splendour.
Our final visit was to the main castle museum where there is a tour of the great hall which is spectacular with all the jousting spears, swords, guns and other arms and armour through the ages. There are waxwork figures from Madam Tussaud's that are very realistic and you can sense their eyes following you around the room (Watch out! Because King Henry V111 is there with his six wives and he might have you head off) However you have to go down to the Castle Dungeon for that, which like many of the Tussaud's Dungeons are fun, entertaining and very well managed.
My wife and I were somewhat put out with the extra charges which mounted up and felt a bit of sympathy with the families with children. Although there were concessions we found that not only the admittance but also the car parking.
The prices we paid: 2-adults
£19.95p admittance, + £3.50p field car park (£6.00p park next to admissions) = £42.40p That was after the price increase.
(£17.95 Caste admittance + £5 For Dungeon) For a family ticket for the ultimate (2-adult and 2-children it will set you back £80.00p (£70.00p booking on line)
The price for the audio tours including castle admission £22.16p adult £15.00p Child
1 go of 5 arrows archery =£3.00p and 10 arrows = £5.00p (But watch out for sub-standard equipment, some arrows I found bent, fletches worn out and knocks loose and worn and strings also worn.) As an archer myself I wasn't impressed.
It pays to book on line with up 12% savings and concessions on group bookings.
Is it worth it? Yes in some ways for a show piece with lots going on but I feel it is a bit too expensive if you just want a visit.
How to get there?
* By train
Warwick Station is approximately one mile from the Castle and has
link to London Marylebone and Birmingham Snow Hill
* By road
The Castle is well signposted, two miles from junction 15 of the M40 making it easy from both north M42 and M5 North and South
* This venue has limited disabled access - please contact the venue directly for specific details
Please note that for this event, we are acting as disclosed agent for a third party supplier.

Summary: Good and exciting day out for the family