Warwick Things to Do

It was no surprise to me to find out that the gardens and grounds of Warwick Castle had been designed by none other than Capability Brown. He must have been one busy man - he seems to have designed most of the stately homes and famous gardens in England!

The rambling grounds of Warwick Castle are beautiful, with a wonderful backdrop of the River Avon. Giant Cedar trees, a Rose Garden, topiary peacocks and ornamental fountains are just a few of the things you'll find here.

As you enter the conservatory at Warwick Castle, you will be faced with a huge stone dish placed high on a pedestal.

This is a replica of the Warwick Vase, an ancient Roman vase which was excavated in 1771. The original vase is now in Glasgow.

Roaming freely around the Peacock Garden are a large number of these graceful creatures. If you are patient (or just lucky!), you will be rewarded with a view of a male peacock with fully opened feathers. Once the fan of feathers is displayed, the peacock will strut about and show off in its full glory for a few minutes.

They make a strange loud screeching noise, and unless you are already familiar with the sound, it can leave you wondering who the latest victim of the Torture Chamber is!!

Take a pleasant walk from the gardens within the castle grounds and along the river bank to the Mill & Engine House.

Originally built in the 12th century, it brought electric light to the castle for the first time in 1894.

Now restored to its former glory, you can discover how the generated electricity was once used to light up the castle.

Easy to understand diagrams and information are on display, making this working feature enjoyable as well as educational.

St Nicholas Park was opened by the Countess of Warwick in 1933. Set on the banks of the River Avon, and very close to the town centre and Warwick Castle, this park is popular with all age groups.

There is a lovely traditional park café called ‘Warwick Tearooms Café’ serving home made cakes and ice-creams etc. with outdoor seating in warm weather. There are plenty of park activities for children – and you can also hire a boat, play a round of pitch and putt or spend time admiring the beautifully tended gardens.

Parking is available adjoined to the park.

The Tussauds Group have done an excellent job managing Warwick Castle and making it a truly worthwhile place to visit. According to their brochure it is “Britains Greatest Medieval Experience.”

Climb the towers and ramparts, see the recently restored mill at work, take a ghost tour, and don’t miss a trip down into the dungeons of course!

Set in beautiful grounds and gardens where peacocks roam freely, the castle is as grand today as it ever was. Tussauds brings it’s waxworks here too, and within the Great Hall and State Rooms one can see a reconstruction of a Royal Weekend Party as would have probably taken place in the late 1800’s.

Spend a whole day here – you’ll need it!
All the usual facilities you could require can be found here.

St John's Museum is an early Jacobean house and has period reconstructions portraying domestic and school life. The museum is great place for children it houses several Victorian displays, including a schoolroom, parlour and a kitchen where you can hand-pump the water into the sink, open all the draws and take part in many activities. Dolls houses, costume displays and the museum of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment are to be found on the first floor.

The Guildhall, now the Lord Leycester Hospital, is a set of timber-framed buildings dating from the 14th century. The unique chantry chapel, galleried courtyard, superb Great Hall and Guildhall form what Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, established as an old soldier's home in 1571. The location of the building, built into the ancient walls and West Gate of the town, is unique. Today, ex-servicemen and their wives live in modernised flats and in return give their services towards the running of the Hospital.