Having never visited Warwick Castle before, we were hoping for something good based on the fact it is operated by Merlin Entertainments, the same company that run popular attractions like LEGOLAND Windsor, Alton Towers Resort and the iconic Blackpool Tower.
Bank Holiday Weekend Getaway
We did some planning in the lead-up to our weekend away, it is a 3-hour drive from where we live on the North Yorkshire coast so we decided to break up our journey by travelling down on the Friday night and staying on-site at Gulliver’s Kingdom in Matlock Bath. We booked the Explorers Retreat themed accommodation through Hotels.com and we felt it was really good value at just over £100 for 5 of us (excluding park tickets). Our park tickets had been a Christmas Gift and were purchased using the annual Wowcher promotion.
We had a great day at Gulliver’s Theme Park on the Saturday and when the park closed, we continued on down the country to a lovely holiday home near Birmingham which we had also booked through Hotels.com.
Birmingham Attractions
There are lot’s of great attractions in Birmingham and the surrounding area including SEA LIFE, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, West Midland Safari Park, Drayton Manor and many more.
On the Sunday, we visited Cadbury World (for more details on this attraction have a read of our Cadbury World Review) before spending another night at our holiday home ready to visit Warwick Castle the following day.
Warwick Castle
On the Monday morning we packed our bags and headed to Warwick. On the way, we picked up sandwiches from the local TESCO supermarket ready for lunch (always looking for ways to boost our Clubcard Points). With us arriving late, and it being a Bank Holiday we were parked quite a long way from the attraction but there was a nice footpath which leads through the woods to the main entrance.
Getting into the attraction was seamless and as you pass through the entrance you are presented with a great view of the castle which is an ideal location for a photograph.
Finding Our Way
One thing we hadn’t done prior to our visit was to look at a map to see where everything was located so we were a little unclear on where to start. We asked the staff members for their recommendations and they suggested that we watch ‘The Falconers Quest – Bird of Prey show’ at 1.00pm. this worked well for us as it gave us the time to eat lunch and experience some of the other attractions first.
Zog Playland
The weather forecast wasn’t great so we decided to do some of the outdoor attractions whilst it was dry. Just to the left of the entrance is the Zog themed children’s playground so we headed there first and it was ideal, there were picnic tables where we could sit and have our lunch whilst the younger children played.
Next, we continued along the footpath to the Horrible Histories maze, the kids had great fun wandering through the maze and experiencing the interactive elements.
There are lots of Zog themed activities and attractions on offer at Warwick Castle, perfect for Zog Superfans. Budding dragons can explore the interactive trail, Zog and The Quest for the Golden Star, watch the roar-some Zog Live Show and slide into the world’s first Zog Playland.
The Falconers Quest
It was now almost 1.00pm so we headed to the opposite side of the castle for The Falconers Quest Bird of Prey Show. The show is set on the river with the hillside leading down to the river forming a natural amphitheatre meaning there is plenty of space for everyone to get a good view of the action. Been regular visitors to theme parks and attractions, we have seen plenty of bird shows over the years, but we were truly blown away by this one.
The presentation used throughout the show is fantastic, as the birds soar through the sky above the display is choreographed with dramatic music.
The birds regularly sweep low over the heads of the audience giving guests the opportunity to capture some amazing photographs and create amazing memories.
The Castle Dungeon
We had pre-booked a visit to The Warwick Castle Dungeon so following the bird of prey show we had a short wander around the castle grounds before heading to the Dungeon entrance.
The host checked us in and we joined a small group of around 15 people, we were quickly greeted by a jester who explained the rules and regulations along with what to expect on our tour.
The first couple of rooms were very dark which made the 2 younger children in our party (aged 10 and 11 a little apprehensive) but once we got beyond this stage they thoroughly enjoyed it.
Like all dungeon attractions, some of the rooms are generic whereas other feature unique stories relating specifically to the history of the castle.
Scream with Laughter!
During our tour of The Dungeon we encountered The Torturer, The Judge, The Executioner and The Witches of Warwick amongst many others.
The Dungeon featured fun interactive elements, special effects, jump scares and excellent storytelling. If you haven’t experienced a Dungeon attraction before then we would definitely recommend a visit.
The Kingmaker
The exit to the Dungeon is adjacent to The Kingmaker (an interactive walkthrough attraction) so we had a wander through this before heading to the arena for Wars of the Roses live Jousting Spectacular.
Jousting Spectacular
We were really looking forward to the critically acclaimed Wars of the Roses live Jousting Spectacular as it is billed as one of the premier attractions at Warwick Castle. The show started out really well with lots of jousting and live-action scenes but as the storytelling took over the kids became distracted and asked to leave.
Not long after we had left the arena the performers came back out to do some world-class trick riding and daring equestrian stunts which would have been great to see up close.
A Secret Passage
It was now late afternoon and according to the Warwick Castle app, the attractions within the castle were due to close at 4.00pm, luckily for us they remained open until 5.00pm.
We climbed the mound to The Conquerors Fortress which offered spectacular views of Warwick town. We went inside the Castles Great Hall and state room. One of the highlights for the children was the discovery of a secret passage that leads across the ceiling of The Great Hall.
To access the secret passage, turn left when you enter the Great Hall and follow the route through the Royal Weekend Party and head up the stairs at the end of the corridor. The secret passage leads across the ceiling of The Great Hall to the minstrel’s gallery with occasional vantage points where you can take in the grandeur of The Great Hall below.
Spectacular Views
As it approached closing time, the showers had cleared and it had turned into a beautiful day. We decided to end the day on a high (literally) climbing over 500 steps to take in the spectacular views from the castles towers and ramparts. Due to the narrow spiral staircases, this is a one-way system so once you are on the footpath there is no turning back.
If you can master the steps then you will be rewarded with a view fit for a king.
Warwick Castle Multi-Attraction Tickets
Why visit just one amazing attraction when you can visit multi amazing attractions and save a massive 46%! With over 90 days to visit your chosen attractions, you get 3 months of family fun for less.
Choose from the following Attractions:
⭐ Warwick Castle
⭐ National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
⭐ LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham
⭐ Cadbury World
Discount Entry to Attractions in Warwickshire
If you plan on spending some time in Warwickshire and want to experience all that the region has to offer then you may want to consider the Shakespeare’s England Explorer Pass.
This added value pass entitles you to free entry to a number of top attractions across Warwickshire, including Warwick Castle! Choose a duration to suit your requirements and simply show your Explorer Pass at any of the attractions included and enjoy free entry. It really is sightseeing made easy!
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Warwick Castle Summary
We had a fun-filled day out at Warwick Castle, despite facing a long journey home we were amongst the last to leave the attraction. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in The Dungeon and even though it was an additional expense we felt it was worth the outlay. The Falconers Quest Bird of Prey show was incredible and kept everyone entertained for the duration of the show.
The War of The Roses Jousting featured some fantastic action live scenes but in all honesty it was a little too long drawn out to maintain the children’s attention. I personally loved how close we could get to the action and the fantastic photo opportunities that this presented us with.
Buy a multi-attraction Ticket and combine your visit to Warwick Castle with some of the region’s other attractions to save on the regular admission prices. Check the Warwick Castle Official Website for multiple ticket options.
A Fantastic Family Day Out
As well as the amazing live shows and entertainment, Warwick Castle features lot’s of other attractions and activities to keep every member of the family entertained. You can learn all about the Castle’s history, get lost in the Horrible Histories maze, burn off some energy in Zogs playland and take in the spectacular view from the castles towers and ramparts.
We thoroughly enjoyed our first ever visit and will definitely be visiting again on future trips to Warwickshire.
We visited Warwick Castle on Monday 27th May 2024.
More Reviews
If you enjoyed reading this review then you may also be interested in these reviews of other UK theme parks and attractions.
Admission Prices and Offers
Warwick Castle is part of the Merlin Entertainments group of attractions, meaning that vouchers are regularly available offering 2 for 1 entry. Merlin Annual pass holders get free entry to Warwick Castle in addition to a number of other Merlin attractions. We recommend that you buy tickets directly from the Warwick Castle Official Website.
Travelling to Warwick Castle
Situated in Warwickshire, the Midlands, the town of Warwick lies at the heart of Britain’s motorway network, with easy access from London and Birmingham. Warwick Castle is well signposted, and less than two miles from junction 15 of the M40. There are a number of ways you can get to the attraction. There is also lots of accommodation available nearby.
Travelling by Train
Warwick Station is approximately one mile from the Castle. A direct service into London Marylebone (1 hour 45 minutes) or Birmingham Snow Hill is available. Search for your train tickets using Raileasy.
Accommodation
There are lots of places to stay in Warwickshire. Warwick Castle offers a selection of on-site accommodation, ranging from lodges and glamping to the recently added Warwick Castle Hotel, visit the Warwick Castle Official Website for more details.
If you only planning on visiting the attraction for one day and would like to explore some of the other attractions in the area then take a look at the self-catering cottages near Warwick Castle available from Snaptrip.
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Author: Dan
I am passionate about Theme Parks and Attractions. I love riding roller coasters and thrill rides. With two young boys I understand how expensive family days out can be and this was one of the main driving forces behind Attractions Near me. My aim is to help you and your friends enjoy some great days out without costing the earth. Thanks for reading and have a great time - Regards Dan
