Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle in England has been coined as Britain’s Greatest Medieval Experience. Explore the castle with the Great British Heritage Pass and uncover a piece of English heritage, where 1000 years of history come to life. 

Begin your exploration of Warwick Castle at the Gatehouse and Barbican, which was used as protection against invading attackers. Soldiers would be faced with the first iron portcullis and a barrage of crossbow bolts. If somehow the barbican portcullis failed to lower, the attackers would find themselves in a narrow roofed passage with arrow slits to either side and, worse, murder holes in the ceiling from which stones and missiles would rain down on them. Intruders beware….

Visit Warwick Castle’s ‘Death or Glory,’ where you can see armour and military items that have been accumulated over thousands of years by the Earls of Warwick.  Be sure to next admire Caesar’s Tower, a masterpiece of 14th century military architecture that has an irregular quatrefoil or cloverleaf shape.

Ready for some mystery?  Occupying the lowest chamber of Caesar’s Tower is the Dungeon.  A single narrow flight of steps provided the only way into, and out of, the miserable dungeon of Warwick Castle.  One prisoner left a message that is still visible today. 

Once you’ve escaped from the Dungeon, relax at the Royal Weekend Party, where you’ll step back to a time of the most lavish and extravagant parties at Warwick Castle.  Here you’ll meet Daisy, Countess of Warwick and a young Winston Churchill.  Most of the furnishings and fittings are those that have been there since 1898. 

After you’re done at the party, move on to the Chapel, Great Hall, and State Rooms of Warwick Castle.  The Great Hall is the largest room in the castle also its heart, and it is where the nobility ate and drank. 

The Ghost Tower was originally built to protect against enemy approaches from the river.  However, it is reputedly haunted by Sir Fulke Greville, who spent a sizeable part of his income turning Warwick Castle into a stately residence.  He was murdered by one of his servants, Ralph Haywood, who believed that Greville had not left him his fair due in Greville’s will. 

Set in the centre of Warwick Castle’s North wall, the Bear & Clarence Towers were never finished due to the death of Richard III.  He began building them in 1478, and they were meant to protect from attack both outside of and within the castle walls.

Once you are done exploring inside Warwick Castle, visit the Mill and Engine House, which has been carefully restored so you can see how electricity arrived at the castle in 1900 and how it shot to the forefront of Victorian technology.  Be sure to also visit the Conservatory & Peacock Garden, as well as the Victorian Rose Garden, where a new English rose has been bred and named ‘Warwick Castle.’

Warwick Castle is an attraction that is sure to delight all who visit.  Get yourself a Great British Heritage Pass today and embark on a medieval experience you’ll never forget!

Planning your visit to Warwick Castle

There are many attractions at Warwick Castle, from the dungeons to the State rooms, Great Hall and the Royal Weekend Party. Visitors can climb some of the towers and visit the well laid out exhibitions.

Warwick Castle is open every day except for December 25.

From January to March and from October to December it opens 10.00 until 17.00. From April to September it opens 10.00 until 18.00. Last admission is half an hour before closing.