Warwick Castle

A brief history of Warwick Castle

11th Century origins
Built-in a commanding position on a cliff high above the river Avon this was one of a series of castles founded by William the Conqueror after arriving in 1066. Initially, constructed as a motte and bailey castle. These were quick and easy to build, they consisted of a wooden or stone keep built on a raised area of soil (the motte) and within a walled courtyard (the bailey) and surrounded by a protective ditch palisade. It had both a defensive role and, equally important, made a strong statement of the conqueror's power and ownership.

Re-built as a stone castle in the 12th Century it became the seat of the earls of Warwick who retained it for generations until 1978 when sold off to the Tussauds group. They specialised in running high profile leisure and entertainment attractions, Madame Tussauds Waxworks, Legoland, Sea Life and a host of others. As you might expect, given the pedigree and expertise of the owners, they transformed the castle into a fascinating and absorbing visitor experience for young and old alike - now under ownership of Merlin Entertainment. 

The Great Hall and Dungeons 
The Great Hall is filled with displays of armour while the Staterooms have rooms of period furniture, royal chambers and mannequins in period dress. The dungeons have been called the scariest visitor attractions in England and feature medieval medical equipment and a torture chamber. French prisoners spent many years in these dungeons, captured from the famous battlefields of Poitier (1356) and Crecy (1346), decisive English victories.

The tombs of the Earls of Warwick who fought at those battles are nearby in St Mary's church in Warwick town. It was the archers that made an impact in those days

Agincourt
Because archery is such an important part of the Warwick experience, here is a brief overview of the most famous battle in English history involving the humble archer. It was the Battle of Agincourt (1415) where the steadfast English archer became a legend. An exhausted English army of six thousand was en-route to Calais and safety; their progress was blocked by a much larger French force of twenty to thirty thousand soldiers, including cavalry.

It rains before the French attack, they charge downhill in now muddy conditions. Think of the weight of the horses and what the ground must have looked like; slippery mud. Five thousand English archers let loose, taking down horses, causing chaos, this action causes a blockage, and the entire battle is muddy and bloody. The larger French force is defeated. 

Lancelot Brown
The famous 'gardener' Capability Brown landscaped the castle grounds, creating a romantic and naturalistic scene – perfect for a relaxing stroll. Other attractions include archery and falconry displays along with the worlds largest trebuchet (a 59ft high catapult), fired for fun twice daily.

Touring and accommodation
Warwick is a short drive to Stratford-upon-Avon, the historic home of William Shakespeare, and a series of wonderful gardens, including Hidcote Manor Gardens. We highly recommend our Bike Tour of the Cotswolds – freewheel down country lanes, stop for lunch at tea rooms and see the prettiest villages of the Cotswolds region.

Enhance your day trip and include a Tour that includes Warwick Castle and Stratford-Upon-Avon. Prefer to stay overnight and tour the glorious English countryside? We recommend our suggested Town and Country Tour for a first-time visit to England. We can customise the itinerary to include Warwick Castle and make other suggestions based on your interests and accommodation preferences.

The area near Warwick and the Cotswolds has a wide choice of accommodation. Stay at the Lygon Arms Hotel, a luxury coaching inn and enjoy a village location. Use the spa, go to the local pubs and shops. You may prefer Buckland Manor, a country house hotel, a five-minute drive to the popular village of Broadway. Stay on the Farncombe Estate and choose between Dormy House, Foxhill Manor, the Fish B&B and the fun Treehouses.