Warwick Castle

As the cricket match to be played on Wednesday 22 July was cancelled a group of us went to visit Warwick Castle.

Approaching the entrance to the castle you pass archers demonstrating their craft.

The deep ditch surrounding the castle, one of the defensive devices constructed to defend the castle from attackers, is clearly visible.

The castle is entered through the barbican.

Once inside the castle our first stop was the Castle Dungeon tour for which we had separate tickets. The dungeon was built in 1345. The tour includes at times gruesome re-enactments, with audience participation, which could be described as Horrible Histories for adults. Unfortunately it is not really possible to see the actual dungeon due to the darkness and special effects required for the performance. Once outside again we then found the entrance to the prison which allowed us to see the conditions in which prisoners were kept including the hole in the floor where some prisoners were discarded.

Quite some time was then spent in the Great Hall and other rooms in the castle. Suits of armor and a selection of weapons are part of the display in the hall. The hall and state rooms are impressive and we spent a good deal of time exploring the interior of the building open to the public.

Trebuchet

A walk along part of the castle wall was our next destination providing views of castle buildings and grounds as well as the area surrounding the castle.

Looking towards Warwick

While we were exploring the gardens the birds of prey show was about to begin. Being summer in England it was raining but we were able to seek shelter under some large trees nearby to watch eagles and other large birds of prey swoop overhead.

Walking around the gardens we met a number of peacocks including this one posing near a topiary peacock.

The gardens are worth exploring, when it is not raining.

Also in the grounds is a replica of a ballista, a medieval siege weapon. The castle also has a working replica of a trebuchet but it was not operating the day we visited the castle.

The castle had a Victorian water mill which in 1890 was adapted to supply electricity to the castle. The mill has been restored and is well worth visiting. As you enter the mill there is another view of part of the gardens.

The castle has a long history dating from 914. This timeline provides a brief outline. It is well worth visiting Warwick Castle to explore the buildings and the gardens however this may become more difficult in time as the Castle is managed by Merlin Entertainments (The Tussauds Group) and the feeling I had was that the Castle was on its way to being turned into a theme park. Hopefully visitors who wish to will still be able to explore the history of the Castle on its own and not as an object lost in re-enactments.