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 Mill & Engine House on the River Avon by mazzap | Reviews and photos of Warwick attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Warwick sightseeing. Warwick Map |
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Now the Warwick Doll Museum (and which has a collection from all over the world) and a cafe, Oaken House is one of Warwick's oldest buildings, dating in the late 15th century. It's literally round the corner from the Tourist Information Office and you walk past it on the way to the Castle from Jury Street. Leave a Comment
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As one can guess from the name, Mill Street lead to the mill built on the banks of the River Avon just inside the castle grounds. This was also the main entrance to the castle before its expansion in the 18th century. Mill Street was therefore essentially the 'high street' of Warwick, with the bridge across the river the main access road south.
In the 18th century, a new bridge was built away from Mill Street - fortuitous timing as the medievel bridge fell down - only the supporting structures remained (which is what we see today). The street also escaped the great Warwick fire of 1694.
Nowadays its a tranquil spot, leading to gardens and the banks of the river. Leave a Comment
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To be found in the basement cellars of the castle, there's a whole host of reconstructed scenes from the everyday castle life of the 15th and 16th century. And as one would expect, the castle being owned by the same company that owns Madame Tussauds, there's some excellent wax work models used to highlight each scenario. With taped soundscape echoing through the darkened rooms, the light as realistic as possible (within modern day safety regulations!), it's surprisingly realistic (so much so that I jumped out of my skin when one of the wax works spoke to me. It wasn't, it was a guard!). Thus, scenes recreated include a bar/tavern and the kitchens, sewing rooms, the dungeon, kids play room. Leave a Comment
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Peacock Garden and Pageant Field, River Island, the Avon River itself, the Boat House, Birds of Prey Mews, Oak Tree Lawn - if you need a break from all that history, you easily can. The castle has a wonderful location on the banks of the river, the gardens were laid out in part by Capability Brown and you have the glorious backdrop of all that history....
But watch out for the occasional bow! There's so many re-enactments at the castle, you do not always quite get away from the history... Leave a Comment
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Warwick is a prime castle among many prime castles in England - it is often compared with Windsor Castle in terms of scale and magnitude (only its lack or royal ownership places Warwick slightly lower on the list).
It is a spectacular site. It was actually built by William the Conqueror in 1068, but within 20 years it had passed, by the creation of the earldom of Warwick, to the Earl of Warwick. It was very much a strategically located castle, built to quell any potential uprisings in the Midlands. Interestingly, less than 100 years later, King Henry I was suspicious of Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick to the extent that Henry bestowed Kenilworth Castle, just 8 miles north and of equal size and importance, to Geoffrey de Clinton, a man Henry trusted much more than Beaumont. It explains why there are two great castles so close to each other (although Kenilworth is in a much more parlous state).
Needless to say, the castle has increased significantly from the motte-and-bailey original. And whilst additions were made in the late 11th and 12th centuries, it is the Beauchamp line that are mainly responsible in the 14th and 15th centuries for the Warwick Castle we see today.
The castle certainly has its fair share of history although rarely attacked. The Warwicks have been both for and against the Kings of England from the 11-17th century, and the line has twice died out. King Edward IV was imprisoned in 1469: the three earls at the end of the 15th century either died in battle against the king or were executed by royal order. But by the end of the 16th century, it was back in the hands of royalty due to the lineage of the earldom having died out for the second time.
The 17th century saw the castle become more of a residence rather than a garrison (it easily withstood being beseiged by the Roundheads in the Civil War) and this period saw many of the fine gardens and grounds laid out (including Capability Brown - before he made a name for himself). The third incarnation of the Earls of Warwick owned the castle and grounds until 1978, when it was sold to the Tussauds Group - the very same company that run Madame Tussauds in London.
They have, without doubt, made it in one of the top heritage tourist attractions in the country - the castle itself, displays, exhibitions, re-enactments, the latest attraction being the Dungeon. It's not cheap entry - but you can easily spend hours in the grounds, exploring the castle etc...
Opening hours:
Open every day except 25 December, 10am-6pm (April-October), 10am-5pm (November-March)
Entry fees:
£17.95 (adult), £10.00 (kids), £11.95 (pensioners), £48.00 (family). Add £7.50 if you want to see the Dungeon as well. But save 10% by booking on line. Leave a Comment Address: Warwick!Directions: About a 10-15 minute walk from the train station. 5 minute walk from the centre of the townWebsite: www.warwick-castle.co.uk
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In spite of its name, the Lord Leycester Hospital is not, and never has been, a hospital. Its use of the word here is referring to the charitable status of providing housing for the old, infirm or needy. And it is, without doubt, one of the many jewels in an extensive crown that is Warwick.
The buildings date from the late 14th century and are to be found right inside the Norman gateway into the town and the 12th century chapel built above the gate. It's location on the outskirts of the old town undoubtedly saved it from the Great Fire.
Robert Dudley, in 1571, purchased the buildings and created a home for infirm soldiers and their wives - right up until today, the Hospital continues to provide a home for ex-servicemen and their wives, run as it is as an independent charity.
Opening times: 10am-5pm (summer), 10am-4.30pm (winter), Tuesday-Sunday + Bank Holiday Mondays
Entrance fees: 4.90 gbp, 3.90gbp (kids) Leave a Comment Address: 60 High StPhone: 01926 491422Directions: Far end of High St away from tourist information, train station.Website: www.lordleycester.com
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One of the great examples of English Medieval ecclesiastical architecture, the Beauchamp (pronounced Beecham) Chapel was built following the death, in 1439, of Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick.
It took 20 years to complete, but it is a Gothic masterpiece with the tomb of Richard, raised on a pedestal, firmly in the centre. Beside his tomb is that of Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick (2nd creation of title), but, set into the north wall is the grandest of them all - the tomb of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and his wife Lettice. Leicester was a great favourite (lover?) of Queen Elizabeth. It is an indication of the importance of the chapel and Warwick as a town that he was buried here. Leave a Comment Address: Church St, Warwick
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The church sits proudly on a hill just to the east of the market place, and, coming into the town from Birmingham on the train, the church tower can be seen sometime before the train pulls into the station. It's bigger than many English cathedrals.
The church was founded by the 2nd Earl of Warwick in 1123, but the crypt is the only surviving structure from this period. St Mary's was rebuilt in the 14th century, but was devastated by the 1694 fire that destroyed so much of Warwick, with the tower and nave being completely destroyed. But it took just 10 years to rebuild, and the current structure opened in 1704. Unusually for its time, the design of the building (with the exception of the balustrades) is pure Gothic.
It's a stunning church, with the highlight being the medieval Beauchamp Chapel (pronounced Beecham), housing the tombs of previous Earls of Warwick and which survived the fire. It is described as one of the masterpieces of medieval church art. (See separate tip). You can also ascend the tower (no lift and 300 steps), wander through the graveyard as well as admire the stained glass windows of the main nave. Leave a Comment Address: Church StDirections: It's just a few minutes walk from High St - Church St is directly opposite the Tourist Information office.Website: www.stmaryswarwick.org.uk
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Warwick Castle always played an important part in English history. The first timber castle was built on this site by the Normans in 1068. By the late 13th century the castle was already a major English seat of power. The Castle's history is much too turbulent to recount here. It changed hands many times, granted by the Crown to the successive Earls of Warwick, who were some of the most influential men in the Kingdom. Its last owners, the Greville family, contributed a lot to the castle's splendour, adding the State Apartments and the Chapel.
For centuries the castle was the centre of social life for the aristocracy and the Royals. In 1898 the Countess of Warwick invited a number of celebrities, including the then Prince of Wales, later Edward VII and young Winston Churchill, to a weekend party, which we can now see re-created, wax figures and all, in the State Apartments.
The place now belongs to the Tussauds Group, who have restored many of its areas. You can walk on the ramparts, climb the towers, explore the dungeon and the armoury, see preparations for battle in 1471, visit the Ghost Tower believed to be haunted by the ghost of Sir Ffulke Greville. You can enjoy yourself there whether you are an adult or a child. Many of the wax figures, not just of celebrities but of the maids, the blacksmith, the carpenters, the nanny look so convincing that I spoke to one of them and then, just in case, asked an immobile kitchen maid if she was real. She was.
It's a great history lesson for everybody. On my way out I was approached by a boy of about 8, who asked me about Warwick the Kingmaker. I was glad to have the guidebook to answer him.
You will need a whole day if not more to see all the attractions. Not to miss any, get a guidebook or use the audio tour (3.50 GBP) but the book costs not much more (3.95 GBP) and can be taken home as a souvenir.
Opening times: April - September 10 am.- 6 pm., October - March 10 am. - 5 pm.
Admission: Adult - 17.95 GBP; Senior - 12.95 GBP; Child - 10.95 GBP; Student - 15.95 GBP; Disabled/Carer - 9 GBP;Child under 4 - free.
You can save some pounds if you book the tickets online but remember that a fee of 1.50 GBP per ticket applies to all bookings made online or on the phone.
For information on admission to Warwick Ghosts-Alive see their web page. Leave a Comment
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I often thought about Mill St. when I was at school. This is a handsome Jacobean street built of solid, stone terraced houses. The first generation of houses built after the Great Fire of London in 1666 counselled the end of wood timbered dwellings, which were commonplace during the long medieval centuries.
Actually, the photo I've included is of a timbered and wattle and daub construction, but take my word for it, there are fine 17th century stone houses further up the street! Leave a Comment
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on May 31, 2009
on December 31, 2008
on October 20, 2008
