Hotels near Warwick Castle

The medieval fortress of Warwick Castle towers above the River Avon. The castle was constructed in 1068 by William the Conqueror, but a defensive structure on the site can be traced back almost 1100 years, to when in 914AD Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great, ordered the building of an earthen rampart to protect the small hill top settlement of Warwick from Danish invaders. The first Earl of Warwick to take up residence at Warwick Castle was Henry De Newburgh in 1088.

Warwick Castle is a magnificent building which is now part theme park, part historical monument. It certainly offers a very full day out - there is a vast amount to see, do and explore, that appeals to a wide range of ages and interests.

You can walk the castle walls and towers, which offers commanding views of Warwick and the castle grounds. Not recommended if you're scared of heights, but a great way to see Warwick Castle from the best vantage points.

There's some pretty scary stuff going on in the dungeons, or you can mingle with the toffs in the refined setting of the former private apartments where a Royal Weekend Party has been recreated which takes you back to 1898. The figures are waxworks, drawing upon the skills used at Madame Tussaud's (Warwick Castle is owned by the same group) and they are incredibly realistic. I was just waiting for them to move or speak! You can also visit the chapel and state rooms.

In the grounds are the Pageant Playground - an adventure playground for the kids, the Conservatory and Peacock Garden, the Victorian Rose Garden, and the River and Island. On the day we visited there was also a falconry display (occasional event) which we watched from the vantage point of The Mound, and later at ground level. Quite exciting when you can feel the wind from a raptor's wing as it flies just above your head.

You will also come across a Trebuchet in the grounds. This is a huge 13th century siege machine; effectively a massive catapult designed to breach castle walls. If you wait until the end of the day, visitors can sit along the bank of the river to witness the Trebuchet being fired, launching a burning projectile several hundred feet!