Warwick Castle
A Medieval Castle Begun By William The Conqueror In 1068 And Turned Over The Centuries Into A Theme Park Style Attraction By Its Present Owner, With Jousting And Bird Of Prey Shows, A Dungeon, Waxwork State Rooms And A Capability Brown Park. Busy And Priced As A Family Day Out Rather Than A Heritage Site · Warwick, England
Warwick Castle is a medieval fortress on a bend of the River Avon in Warwickshire, begun by William the Conqueror in 1068 and rebuilt in stone over the next 500 years. It is owned by a leisure company, and it is run as a family attraction rather than a quiet heritage site. The day is built around timed shows: a jousting tournament, a working trebuchet that hurls a fireball, and a birds of prey display. Inside you can climb the towers and ramparts, walk through the Dungeon, visit the Princess Tower and see the Kingmaker exhibits about the Earl of Warwick and the Wars of the Roses. The grounds were reshaped by Capability Brown in the 1750s and run down to the river. Be plain with yourself: it is busy and noisy in school holidays, the actors lean toward pantomime, and gate prices plus parking are high. Online tickets are cheaper than the gate. It suits children and casual visitors better than serious history readers.
Castle Lane, Warwick, in Warwickshire, on the River Avon about 160 km north-west of London, Warwick, England, United Kingdom
The castle is open daily for most of the year, usually from around 10 am to 5 pm or 6 pm in summer and shorter hours in winter. Last entry is commonly an hour or two before closing, and the show timetable changes by season and by day. Some attractions, such as the trebuchet or the jousting, do not run on every day or in the colder months - confirm the schedule for your date. It is closed on Christmas Day and for a few days in January or for private events. Walking in Warwick town and the lanes by the castle wall is FREE, but the castle, its towers and every show are CLOSED to non-ticket holders, and the ticket also covers the grounds. Check the official site close to your trip.