Warwick Castle, in the heart of England, is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the country. Its mighty towers are reflected in the River Avon, and for almost a thousand years it was home to some of the most powerful families in the kingdom. Today it is a lively attraction, with re-enactments, falconry, one of the largest working trebuchets in the world and furnished rooms that tell the story of the Earls of Warwick.
History
In 1068 William the Conqueror built a motte-and-bailey castle of earth and timber here, on a rise above the Avon, to control the Midlands. Over the following centuries timber gave way to stone. In the 14th century the Beauchamp earls built the two most famous towers, Caesar's Tower and Guy's Tower. In the 15th century the castle belonged to Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, known as the "Kingmaker" because during the Wars of the Roses he helped put kings on the throne and then remove them.
In 1604 King James I granted the castle to Fulke Greville, who turned it into a country house. The Grevilles, later Earls of Warwick, lived here for more than three centuries, embellishing the rooms and entrusting the grounds to Capability Brown. In 1978 the family sold the castle to the Madame Tussauds group, and today it is run as a visitor attraction.
- 1068William the Conqueror builds the first castle
- 14th centuryCaesar's Tower and Guy's Tower are built
- 1469The Kingmaker holds King Edward IV prisoner
- 1604The castle passes to Fulke Greville
- 1871A fire damages the Great Hall
- 1978The Grevilles sell the castle
What to see
The towers and walls
You can climb onto the ramparts and towers by narrow spiral staircases: Guy's Tower, 39 metres high, offers the widest view over the town of Warwick and the countryside. Caesar's Tower, with its trefoil plan, has a grim underground dungeon at its base.
The rooms
The Great Hall, rebuilt after the fire of 1871, displays armour and weapons. Then come the State Rooms, with 17th- and 18th-century furniture, portraits and furnishings, and the chapel. In other rooms, with costumed figures, a Victorian house party of the Earls of Warwick is recreated, while the Kingmaker exhibition shows the preparations of a medieval army before battle.
The trebuchet and falconry
On the riverbank stands a trebuchet, the giant medieval siege engine, about 18 metres tall: on some days it is fired to hurl projectiles. The falconry displays, with eagles, vultures and owls flying over the walls, are among the best-loved moments, together with jousting and archery demonstrations.
The gardens
The grounds along the Avon, landscaped by Capability Brown, are home to free-roaming peacocks, a Victorian rose garden and the lawn where the shows take place.
Practical information
The castle is open for most of the year, with special events during the school holidays. Tickets bought online in advance are much cheaper. In summer it is very popular with families. Opening times and prices are on the official website.
Getting there
- By train: to Warwick, from London Marylebone in about an hour and a half or from Birmingham in half an hour; the station is a 15-minute walk away.
- By car: from the M40, junction 15; parking at the castle.
- By air: Birmingham Airport is about 30 minutes away.
Nearby
- Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace, 15 kilometres away.
- Kenilworth Castle, splendid ruins linked to Elizabeth I.
- Coventry, with its cathedral, and Birmingham.
Tips
- How long: a full day, especially with children.
- When to go: April to October for the outdoor shows.
- A tip: check the times of the falconry and trebuchet shows straight away, and plan the rest of your visit around them.