Useful Information for Your Visit to Warwick Castle
Known to be one of the best-preserved medieval castles and for its Tussauds figures, Warwick Castle is the ideal place to learn more about life in Britain in the 17th century. Make sure to plan your journey ahead with this list of tips.
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1. Access
Warwick Castle is well connected to London and Birmingham by the M40 road, and paid parking is available for visitors. There's also a bus to Warwick from London, and Warwick train station is approximately 1.6km from the castle.
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2. Entertainment
The castle is not only a historical site but also an entertaining attraction for visitors of every age. The Tussauds Group acquired the castle in the 1980s, and has since turned it into a fun and interactive place. Wax figures are displayed in various rooms, showcasing the history of the castle and the people who visited it, such as Winston Churchill.
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3. Warwick trebuchet
The castle is home to one of the world's largest trebuchets, standing 18 metres high and weighing 22 tonnes. The structure, built with over 300 pieces of oak wood according to drawings from the Danish Middlelaldercentret museum, takes eight men to manoeuvre and load in half an hour.
The Best Things to Do Near Warwick Castle
The town of Warwick and its historical centre have much to offer to visitors. Check out these top three activities near the castle.
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1. Warwick Old Town
The 17th- and 18th-century buildings in Warwick's Old Town will take you back in time. The charming streets are home to an octagonal tower lantern at the Old Shire Hall, a Georgian ballroom and numerous merchants’ shops. The buzzing street market on Saturdays, a 500-year tradition, is worth visiting and a great way to try some local culinary specialities!
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2. Charlecote Park
This area inspired some of William Shakespeare’s plays. The house, renovated in the 19th century in Victorian style, is now home to a brewery, an operating Victorian kitchen and exhibits of furniture and paintings once belonging to Queen Elizabeth I.
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3. Lord Leycester Hospital
Although it might seem strange to go sightseeing at a hospital, Lord Leycester Hospital is a must see. The medieval half-timbered building was originally a charitable home for ageing soldiers and their spouses. Although it's still used for the same purpose today, it also houses an exhibition on the Queen's Royal Hussars and highlights their role in the Battle of Waterloo.