Warwick Castle - 22nd May 2011

Warwick Castle can be described as a quintessential English castle. It has battlements and ramparts that succeed in transferring the visitor back to 14th century and the times of knights in shining armour. On the approach to the main castle gate you are met with huge stone walls that loom large over you. The mote has now been drained but it is easy to imagine the difficulties  any would be invader faced when attempting a raid on the castle.

In its long history however the castle has fallen, many times, and has changed hands on numerous occasions. Its most famous occupant was Richard Neville otherwise known as The Kingmaker.Neville was made the Earl of Warwick  on 2nd March 1450 by King Henry VI. The Earl was a Yorkist and after the fall of Henry, when Edward IV became king, Neville rose to a position of great wealth and importance. Over time as Warwick's influence waned he joined forces with the Edward's brother, the Duke of Clarence, during which time King Edward was captured and briefly imprisoned at Warwick Castle.

Eventually the Earl of Warwick fled England and laid his allegiance with Margaret of Anjou, King Henry VI's wife. They set sail for England and successfully restored the imprisoned Henry back on to the English throne. It was not to last however as Edward managed to raise a Yorkist army that would ultimately defeat Warwick's men at the Battle of Barnet. Warwick himself was captured, stripped naked and killed. His death was a sad loss to many but was welcomed joyfully by many more.

As you walk around the castle the atmosphere is almost tangible. Visitors have the opportunity to climb the towers and battlements but be warned with 523 steps it is not an easy task. The tight  spiral staircases of Guy's Tower and Ceaser's Tower are extremely arduous but well worth the trek, watch out for the sword marks in the walls. As you descend the towers your hand automatically reaches for the wall to help balance you and it strikes you that it has eroded away to almost nothing. Hands have grazed the very same point as yours for over 500 years, you are literally touching history.

There is so much to discover at Warwick Castle that in order to do it justice you must devote the whole day to exploring the many towers, dungeons, gardens and state rooms. The state rooms are not massive but have a few gems hidden within them. Mainly Queen Anne's state bed, it was sent from Windsor prior to her visit in 1704, only for her to never make the trip. The bed, a leather trunk and the tapestries remain thanks to King George III who made a gift of them to the then Earl of Warwick in 1773. 

I would urge everyone to make the visit to Warwick Castle, it is expensive but there is so much to see and do both for adults and children that I guarantee people of all ages will enjoy it.