Warwick Castle & Knight's Village - Britain All Over Travel Guide

Warwick Castle & Knight’s Village

History | Great Hall | Tickets | Nearby | Access

Warwick Castle is advertised as ‘Britain’s Ultimate Castle’. The castle is a historic site as well as an amusement park (Knight’s Village) so bring the kids for a fun and educational day out.

History

Warwick Castle is a medieval castle that was built by William the Conqueror in 1068 AD. The castle was meant to overawe the defeated Saxons with a display of Norman force and might.

The castle is a symbol of power traditionally belonging to the Earl of Warwick but has also served as a prison. King Edward IV was famously imprisoned here and captured Royalists were later held here during the English Civil War in the 1640s.

Looking down from the castle walls during summer when the castle can be packed with visitors

This oldest section of the castle called ‘The Mound’ (see below) was recently restored and a hidden trail was revealed.

The Mound has been restored

Walking around the exterior of the castle, the visitor may encounter two siege engines, a trebuchet, and the ballista seen below.

The grounds have frequent historical reenactments by enthusiastic performers dressed in period costumes and also include very realistic combat with swords as well as Medieval music.

These should especially appeal to the young and the young-at-heart.

Siege engine in the grounds

Great Hall

Visitors to the interior of the Great Hall at Warwick may encounter one of the wax figures which inhabit the castle such as the Medieval minstrel and friend seen below. The plastic rat gives an indication of the standards of Medieval hygiene, which were very bad, of course.

Wax minstrel figure and rat

Peacock Garden

The Peacock Garden is the name given to the formal gardens at the western end of the grounds, designed in the 19th century by Robert Marnock (1800-1889). Marnock was a leading garden designer of the mid-19th century and this garden features sculptured topiaries, manicured hedges, a fountain, a rose garden, and a large conservatory with a tea room, as well as peacocks. The garden overlooks the Pageant Fields.

Tickets

Ticket prices for the castle or castle + dungeon vary whether booked on the day or in advance online so check the official site for the latest offers (www.warwick-castle.com).

Nearby

Visitors to the castle may want to visit nearby Arbury Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s Grave, and also Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.

The castle dates from 1068 and William the Conqueror

Access – Getting There

Warwick Castle
Warwick, Warwickshire
England
CV34 4QU
Tel: 0871 265 2000
England Map

The castle is just off the M40. Exit at junction 15. Warwick Station is approximately one mile from the castle. There are trains to London Marylebone (1 hour, 45 minutes) or Birmingham Snow Hill Station.

Nearby is Thomas Oken’s House, a fine example of a timber-framed building.