Warwick Castle
 

I saw a Rick Steves show some time ago about Warwick Castle and it looked like an interesting, although long, day trip from London. Our choices for days to go are Friday and Sat, on the Sat. there is a jousting tournament (July 21). I know there are tours that do this day trip but I'd like to go on our own if we can.<BR><BR>The train tickets look like they are L20 per person for 2 adults. Any cheaper way to get there?<BR><BR>I think Rick Steves combined Warwick with somewhere else. Maybe Stratford? Can you get there easily from Warwick? Is it possible to do both in a day and still get back to London if we get an early start?<BR><BR>Will there be a big difference in crowds for a Friday vs. a Saturday in July?<BR><BR>Thanks for any help you can give me!

Warwick was known as the kingmaker during the War of the Roses. He eventually got on the wrong side and was killed. For a read on Warwick and the War of the Roses, let me suggest Alison Weir's book The War of the Roses.

Stratford is 6 miles south of Warwick, easily combined. I'd go on Friday, it will be much less crowded and there will be plenty to do even without the jousting. Can't help re train, we drove.

We drove, rented a car in London for the day, and did Warwick and Stratford in one day.<BR><BR>IMHO, the castle was better than Stratford. But you can do them both in one day.<BR><BR>US

Kris,<BR>We were just at Warwick Castle in April. (we were there ages ago as well). We took the train from Marylebone Station about 10 a.m. (get a cheap day return if you go on a weekday) and bought a combined entrance ticket to Warwick Castle and the train ticket. Sorry I can't remember the exact price, but it was cheaper then doing it as two separate things. The ride takes about 90 minutes (if trains are running OK - Britain has been having their rail problems). The walk to the castle takes about 15 minutes. I'd go on a Friday, a few less people I should think. We were lucky, there were hardly any people around and it was a delightful day. It pretty much can take the whole day, the grounds are extensive, as is the castle. There are gardens, peacocks, a lake, etc. You can eat there (several cafes) or picnic on the grounds. They also have 'shows' to entertain visitors on the grounds.<BR><BR>As for combining it with Stratford - I don't know about that. Technically it can be done, it's not far, but you need to take the train back to Leamington Spa and take another train to Stratford. This (if trains are not running on time) could be a problem. When we returned from Warwick we stopped at Leamington Spa and there were many people who got on who said their train from Stratford had been non-existant, they had to wait for another and it was jammed, then they waited for another and finally connected with ours for the ride to London. We were sitting (thank God) but many people stood the whole way into London. Not a fun way to end the day. Hence, I'd think twice about combining these two places. To be honest, there is enough to do at Warwick to take the day. There are also shops/cafe's etc. in Warwick if you want to shop for gifts.<BR><BR>Incidentally, I am sure it was more then 20 pounds per person for the combined ticket.

Warwick is also right next to the Kenilworth Castle ruins-there is an entire tower built for Queen Elizabeth I visit with Robert Dudley...the ruins are romantic and beautiful and much more "real" to me than the touristy and over-the-top Warwick...its a great thing to go to both in one day to see the contrast. IF you want to see pics our website is www.panteravb.com and you can scan down to the Kenilworth pictures-have fun!

I JUST bought train tickets (round trip) from London to Warwick and a ticket to Warwick Castle. The cost for both (with postage) was $48.65. I bought the train tickets through Chiltren Railroad. From my understanding there is a bus that runs from Warwick to Stratford (or you can take a taxi). I am going to spend 4 hours at each place, because I want to see both of them.

Thanks for the advice so far. I think we'll aim for Friday as we might want to check out London's flea markets on Saturday.<BR><BR>I will definitely pick up a copy of Alison Weir's book as I've enjoyed reading her books on Henry VIII and his children.<BR><BR>I assume that you can pick up the combined ticket (looks like it's L27 on the Chiltern website) for Warwick Castle and the train at the station in London? Is there any need for advance reservation on the train? Can you go out of Marylebone and back into Paddington (or vice versa)?<BR><BR>Can anyone point me to a website that might have info on travel between Stratford and Warwick? Sounds like the train isn't very efficient and with such a short distance it seems that there would be a bus. I think Rick Steves was on a small boat. Is that something that you pick up once you're in Stratford?<BR><BR>I'll keep Kenilworth in mind in case Stratford seems like too much, it looks pretty interesting from your pictures Ani!

You can just go up to the window at Marylebone Sta. and buy your combo ticket. You do not need a reservation. Much of the train route is "commuter" traffic in/out of London. There are buses that go between Warwick and Stratford, but I don't know much about that having never done it. I suppose a cab would be a solution if all else fails.

When my brother brought his family over from Indiana we suggested Warwick and Kenilworth, and they really enjoyed the contrast.<BR><BR>Doug

I've been to Warwick many times and thought it was worth every visit. Lots to see there and is absolutely my favorite castle in England. It is lovely and the epitome of what I thought a castle would be. I would skip Stratford unless you are going to see a play. It is really a tourist trap. And anyone I've ever accompanied there has agreed.<BR><BR>I think I once combined a visit to Wareick with Blenheim Palace, but I can't really remember - that was on my first visit back in the early 80's and I took an American Express tour. I remember I just didn't have enough time in each place. I recommend you stick to just Warwick.<BR><BR>I've learned that if you try to do too much you just end up not enjoying your trip as much. Just assume that you will be back someday and that you don't have to see everything. Select your top choices and leave enough time to stroll around and savor them. This is hard to do - I always get greedy and excited and try to pack my schedule - but it is always always a mistake.<BR><BR>Skip Stratford. It is nowhere near Warwick in terms of enjoyment. Spend the whole day at Warwick. Get back to London in time for a leisurely walk or dinner.

I went there my first trip to Eurpoe 1984. Recommend Warwick Castle. The day tour also went to Stratford-on-Avon and recall several good photos of that as well. Shakespeare, Ann Hathaway and all - the thatched roof houses. Have fun - be safe.

Warwick Castle is on my list to do this fall when I go back to London so I can't comment on that, but I really liked Stratford. I had one of those "is this really me" moments sitting in a tea shop having lunch across the street from Shakespeare's birth place. Of course, I'm an English major.

I enjoyed Stratford, too. Just because a place is full of tourists, doesn't mean it's not worth visiting; they might be there for a good reason! We just ignored all the tacky souvenirs. Well, most of them.

Kris: Because of the confusing train connections, we took a day tour of Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick. I can't remember the name of the tour company. We were rather rushed, but we still got to see most of Warwick Castle. On our next trip, we will drive and spend more time at Warwick Castle. It was one of the highlights of that particular trip - dungeons, armour and the moat

Thanks for the thoughts everyone. I think I'll concentrate on getting myself to Warwick and play the rest by ear. There seems to be some sort of train between Warwick and Stratford that takes about 25 minutes if we can't find a bus or a taxi. I assume there will be some sort of tourist information in Warwick or some kind soul that will point us in the right direction :-) But if anyone has actually made the journey via public transport, I'd love to hear about it.

Why not do it more liesurely by pending a night or two in Stratford. You can then tour Warwick and maybe some of the Cotswolds from there. Check out Guide Friday (www.city-sightseeing.com) for their tours to Warwick and the Cotswolds from Stratford