wrenwood

Wow, I had planned on visiting Warwick Castle with my brother and sister-in-law and their two girls, aged 15 and 18 when we are in England in July. The oldest is very interested in history, the younger would think a dungeon was cool.

I am really confused about whether to go or not. Apparently it is now run by Madame Taussauds and TA has a large number of incredibly conflicting reviews. Also apparently quite expensive.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...e_England.html

Has anyone been in the past year? Thoughts?

jck4

I went with my 5 and 1 year old in September and loved it. We didn't do much of the extra sights within the castle (as detailed on their website, they cost extra and weren't appropriate for my kids) but my impression is that the teens would love it too. I would DEFINITELY recommend it!

jck4

they also had a ton of really cool demonstrations, and would have even more in July. These include an awesome birds of prey show and a demonstration of an enormous catapault being used.

LeslieC

I think the primary reason for conflicting reviews it that this historic property has been commercialized into a bit of a theme park, so those sensitive to the high cost and those who are fussy about authenticity could be offended. We took kids ages 9 and 11 and we all loved it. I like history and, once I got over the fact that the interiors were furnished with Victorian (or Edwardian)era items though the castle is much, much older, I truely enjoyed that. At the time we went, there was something of a medeval fair going on the downhill/backside of the castle that was great fun. And, of course, it is not far from the Cotswolds and Stratford, so you won't be driving far out of the way if you are seeing those places as well.

stevelyon

Warwick Castle is rather like Marmite, and in my case I hate it. I first visited it before it was spoilt and had fond memories of its grounds and gardens, so was quite shocked to visit it 40 years later in its current state. Of course some people love it, just as some people love Carcassonne.

isabel

While I would have preferred the Mdm Taussauds wax figures were not there, it was still a beautiful castle in a gorgeous setting. I was there in March (a few years ago) so while the wax figures were there, the crowds of tourists were not. Perhaps in July the crowds would detract from it. Here are some photos of it (including a couple of the wax figures) http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/image/56411898

If you are in the area another castle is Kenilworth but that is more of a ruin and not nearly as impressive as Warwick. Definitely no theme park atmosphere there. But still enjoyed it (and it was a lot cheaper - but as cheap as I am, I don't mind spending money on things like historic sites as I know it helps preserve them)

P_M

I've been twice and I would go again, no question. The grounds are beautiful, the castle looks great and I liked the wax figurines.

voyager61

We took our 13 year old boy there several years ago, and it was probably one of his favorite stops of our trip. Hard to beat watching a life-size trebuchet in action, etc. I think most teens and pre-teens would find it enjoyable.

wrenwood

Thanks, I'm feeling better about it. The 15 year old wanted to go to Madame Taussauds in London, so maybe we can scrap that and she'll be happy at Warwick.

Do they usually have any jousting going on during the summer? The website doesn't really have events listed yet for 2012 past January/February.

Is it an all day thing, or do you think we could fit something else in (like Kenilworth?) We'll be staying in Chipping Campden, so I thought maybe we could drive first to Kenilworth (about an hour or less) and be there when they open, then do Warwick on the way back. Should we allow time for the town of Warwick?

Maybe Berkeley or Sudeley, can't decide on those either.

P_M

We went into the town for dessert and coffee and to find an ATM, however I don't remember anything else about it. There is a lot to see at the castle so personally I would not plan anything else for that day, you don't want to be rushed.

I've been to a few Madame T's worldwide, some are OK but some are not. I did not care much for the ones in NY or Vegas, however the one in London is the most interesting of those I've visited. But if it's a choice between seeing Madame T's in London or Warwick, there's no question I would choose Warwick.

annhig

hi wrenwood,

definitely do Warwick Castle, even without the 'glitz" it's very impressive. whilst you are in Warwick, you could also see the church and the lord Leycester [pronounced Lester, like the town] hospital, which is very higgeldy piggeldy. spelling?]

Kenilworth is also worth a trip and is nearby - it's one of the ruins that Cromwell knocked about a bit - him or henry Vlll anyway - so there's another history lesson there.

Berkeley is a bit too far to combine i think - it makes a better trip with the wild Fowl/ wetlands trust at slimbridge, and I've never been to Sudeley, so i can't help you there.

you could go to Coventry - terrific Cathedral, [old and new] a very good museum charting the history of the city [which was once the 6th biggest in the country, though that was a loooong time ago] and many old buildings amongst the new. oh, and my school, though you're probably not interested in that.

janisj

"<i>it is now run by Madame Taussauds</i>"

This is nothing the least bit new -- Mme Tussauds has run Warwick since the late 70's

The wax figures upstairs in the family apartments have been there for YEARS (decades actually) The vignettes upstairs are reproductions of an actual house party held there in Edwardian days (an ancestor of our late, sadly missed cholmondley warner/david west is depicted by one of the figures).

It is not like the wax museum in London . . .


I've been to Warwick castle countless times probably 25+ both before and after mme Tussauds involvement. (when I lived in the UK I owned a Jensen Healey bought from Donald healey and all of our service was done in his Warwick shop and I had a few hours to kill there every couple of months) My last visit was in June 2010.

Now - I personally think some of the more recent 'improvements' are over the top, but it is still an absolutely amazing medieval castle. One of the best in the UK. And don't miss visiting St Mary's Church in the town- the Beauchamp chapel should not be missed!

Yes -they have lots of displays almost every day during the season. Falconry, raptors, Catapults, jousting, etc.

wrenwood

Hi annhig

Berkeley would be another day. One thought was that we could go there from Chipping Campden and be there when they open, and then drive back to Chipping Campden through some of the more southern Cotswolds towns.

Another possibility should we have time, would be to go to Berkeley when we leave London. A driver will take us to Heathrow to pick up a rental car and then we will be driving to Wales where we'll stay at a B&B in Caldicot near Chepstow. About 2 hours from Heathrow to Berkeley and then about 45 minutes from Berkeley to Caldicot. Maybe this makes more sense. Maybe either would work.

wrenwood

Thanks janisj, appreciate your input. I think we will do Warwick, and maybe wander into town for the church.

indy_dad

We moved to the UK back in March and we took a day out to Warwick soon after we got here. It is impressive and worthwhile to see. My recommendation would be to do all the FREE extras like the trebuchet, jousting, birds of prey, walking about, the opening of the barbicon, etc.

However, we felt that all the PAID extras were rather silly (Merlin, Dungeon, Princess Tower, etc.) and not worth it. Perhaps you need to do one of the Dungeon type events to judge for yourself but it was more scare (and audience participation/humiliation) than education.

janisj

I agree w/ indydad. There is plenty to see/do/enjoy w/o the extra paid attractions at the castle. And do wander out to the conservatory, rose garden, along the river, etc.

Tony_M

I agree with most of the replies above. The displays in the castle are well laid out, with lots of historical information - which i always tend to read on such visits. Good displays on medieval warfare, preparing for battle etc. Pick up the chain-mail shirt and see how heavy it is!

Yes it is now very much a family attraction but it sounds as if that is maybe what you want. ou do have to pay for the extras (if you want to see them), Dungeon and Dragon Tower but not to everyone's taste. The falconry is free and impressive as is the trebuchet, especially if they set fire to it.

Warwick town is fairly small but the Lord Leycester Hospital (mentioned) above is worth a visit - very impressive historic buildings - used in Dr Who, but there the family attraction bit ends - much more historic and atmospheric.

Kenilworth Castle is a ruin as they fought on the wrong side in the civil so Oliver Cromwell ordered it be knocked down.

Also a good way of seeing how much everything is linked to the ruling families - Robert Dudley (Lord Leycester) - owned Kenilworth Castle and is buried in st Mary's in Warwick. His brother Ambrose owned Warwick Castle. A two castle family!

poutine

I had started a similar thread two years ago (click my screen name and you will see it). In the end we did go to Warwick and it was a great day. We stopped in at Kenilworth as well, which we also enjoyed. It helped that they were all included in the Great British Heritage Pass at the time, so I didn't have to think about whether or not they would be worth the price.

Warwick will have the catapault, birds of prey, longbow demonstrations, a bit of a medieval fair etc during the summer. Unfortunately, due to timing/dates we never managed to find a jousting event taking place, however the dates were up in March or so. There are also peacocks roaming around the property. We did not do any of the extra pay events (like the princess party :0).

Unrelated, but one thing we did on this trip which everyone really enjoyed was to participate in a falconry course. In our case it was with Yarak, near Collumpton (Devon), however they have them all over England. It was outstanding, and something they don't allow where I live. Just in case it is of interest to you.

europeannovice

I hope it is okay to jump in on this thread. Do you need a full day for Warwick? If you have limited time like maybe 1/2 day only, does it make sense to skip it then and perhaps see Kenilworth instead? I understand one is more of a Renaisance Faire and the other castle ruins so different experiences but with only a half day which one to do?

Can you see enough of Warwick in a half day to make it worth the admission price or better left for when you have more time?

wrenwood

Hi europeannovice

At the moment I'm hoping to do both ~ leave for Kenilworth first as it is further away from where we are staying (it's about an hour from Chipping Campden, opens at 10) I'm also assuming Kenilworth will not take as long with 2 teenagers. Then we'll go to Warwick for the rest of the day and eat dinner on the way back to Chipping Campden.

We might change things should there be a lot of events at Warwick when we're there (early July)

1/2 or full day probably depends if it's only adults that are going, or if you'll have kids with you also.