Warwick Castle

After visiting the town of Warwick on Wednesday I returned on Friday to conquer the castle. The place is huge and very impressive! I arrived around 11am and didn’t leave until about 4pm...a very big day. Warwick Castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068 after he had invaded England. Since then it has been the home to the Earl of Warwick right up until 1978.

The Castle was built in various stages from a simple wooden fortification, to a motte-and-bailey castle, to a feared dungeon and then to a country house. It has a very interesting history involving some pretty gruesome wars and a lot of royal scandals including illegitimate children and cheating countesses. It is by far one of the best castles remaining in Britain and one of their most loved.

There are two main towers as part of the Castle’s upgrade between 1330 - 1360 under Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick; Guy’s Tower and Caesar’s Tower. Climbing the towers is a lot of fun...although I advise you not to get stuck behind an overweight middle-aged woman when walking up the five storeys of stairs to the top of Guy’s Tower, the highest point of the Castle). The view from the top though makes it worthwhile. The towers were used for accommodation as well as providing access to the dungeons which have held various Kings and Queens in its history.

The main building was designed as a country house and has received numerous upgrades since it first was constructed. Many Kings and Queens have stayed in the Castle over the years. Queen Anne’s bed was delivered to the castle in preparation for her visit...but she died before she arrived. The bed is still in the Queen Anne room with her insignia stitched into the silk on the headboard. There are a number of staterooms each of which more elaborate than the next. There is a clock on the wall in Queen Anne’s intended boudoir (fancy dressing room) that is believed to have belonged to Marie Antoinette. Each of the large staterooms are themed. First is the ladies’ red room, followed by the oak room and finally the men’s green room.

The bedrooms are upstairs and not as elaborate as the staterooms downstairs. However, Prince Charles’ supposed room when visiting is all whittled out of oak!

The whole Castle is very cool...and sadly very busy on the day I went...but all in all a great day!

The front gate

The raising of the portcullis
(big gate thing that goes up into the ceiling and is pointy and stuff)

View of main building from Guy's Tower

The photo that makes my trip tax deductible!!!

David Kidd?

Don't turn a night out into a Knightmare!

The formal state room
(a wedding was being held the next day hence the chairs)

Queen Anne's room and bed

Looking down on the main hall
(Before fireplaces existed a bonfire was lit in the middle of the floor)

Prince Charles' room when he visited
(Not the current Prince Charles)

Clock believed to have belonged to Marie Antoinette