| Warwick Castle was taken over by the Tussaud | | | | managed to avoid the slighting that ruined so many |
| Group in 1978 when it was bought from the 37th Earl | | | | other castles in the 17th century.Two towers rise on |
| of Warwick and the Group began a restoration | | | | either side of the gatehouse, the quatrefoil Caesar's |
| program that is still in progress nearly thirty years later. | | | | Tower and the 12-sided Guy's Tower. Standing over |
| In the process, the venerable old castle has become | | | | 120 feet high, these 14th century towers offer |
| something of a theme park, touted by its owners in | | | | unobstructed views over the Warwickshire |
| their literature as "Britain's Greatest Medieval | | | | countryside, they contain a maze of rooms and fine |
| Experience". This is not to denigrate their efforts | | | | staircases and give access to the intact wall-walk. Still |
| however, because Castle restoration is an expensive | | | | accesible via a steep staircase, the dreary dungeon |
| undertaking and the "Medieval Experience" has helped | | | | sits at the base of the Caesar's Tower. Besides the |
| pay the way.Special events, medieval banquets and a | | | | medieval torture devices, the chamber's most haunting |
| suite of rooms enlivened with wax figures of the Earl | | | | feature is the oubliette, a tiny windowless chamber in |
| and Countess of Warwick preparing for a royal party | | | | which prisoners were kept in total darkness, with |
| create an almost circus-like atmosphere. Yet, | | | | barely enough room to lie down. Food and water were |
| underneath the glitter and fanfare lies the real | | | | delivered via a trapdoor in the ceiling.Across the |
| attraction - the great medieval castle itself. Displaying | | | | courtyard stands the 14th century Watergate Tower. |
| the stately splendor that showcased the status and | | | | This is also known as the Ghost Tower, as the |
| ambitions of the Earls of Warwick for 800 years, | | | | spectre of the murdered Elizabethan and Jacobean |
| Warwick Castle represents the best of castle-building | | | | politician and poet Sir Fulke Greville (1554-1628), who |
| in England.Peacocks preen and crow their welcome | | | | owned the castle from 1604, is said to haunt it. The |
| as visitors make their way out of the car park | | | | squat tower provided access to the River Avon, |
| towards the castle's main entrance. The effect is | | | | which flows at its base and functioned as a natural |
| almost surreal and it pulls your attention away from the | | | | moat. Across the river, half-timbered and brick houses |
| present in anticipation of a journey back to the Middle | | | | line the closest lanes. Historically associated with the |
| Ages. The powerful curtain wall points ahead to the | | | | castle as quarters for servants and other workers, |
| twin towers of the barbican and gatehouse. After | | | | these well-maintained medieval homes offer a |
| passing through the gatehouse, you enter into the | | | | fascinating glimpse into the less glamorous and more |
| magnificent inner courtyard, which only enhances the | | | | mundane aspects of castle life. To reach the castle, |
| effect of being transported back in time. Surrounded | | | | employees originally crossed a stone bridge, the ruins |
| on three sides by a dry ditch and the River Avon on | | | | of which still spans the Avon. Visitors to the castle are |
| the fourth, this powerful structure is a classic | | | | welcome to explore the exterior of these houses, but |
| stone-enclosure castle.The earliest records reveal that | | | | must respect the privacy of the owners.Back inside |
| Ethelfleda, the daughter of Alfred the Great, first | | | | Warwick Castle, the State Apartments express the |
| fortified the settlement at Warwick in about the year | | | | grandeur of an earl's life, much as it was during the |
| 914 AD. Begun as an earth-and-timber (motte and | | | | 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors can explore the Great |
| bailey) fortress shortly after the Norman conquest, | | | | Hall, the State Dining Room and the Red, Green and |
| Warwick Castle displays relics from every | | | | Cedar drawing rooms. Also on view is the Queen |
| castle-building era. Today the well preserved motte | | | | Anne Bedroom, the Blue Boudoir and the Chapel. |
| and the ruined shell of its keep sit discreetly at the | | | | Decorated with gilded plasterwork ceilings, shining |
| western end of the stone fortress. Commanded at | | | | armour, skilfully carved woodwork and the very best |
| strategic points by lofty polygonal towers that are | | | | of furniture from a number of styles and eras, these |
| linked together by a wall-walk, this formidable | | | | graceful rooms contrast colorfully with the castle's |
| stronghold would have capably withstood even the | | | | intimidating gray walls.Warwick Castle contains a |
| most intense of attacks or sieges, had it had the | | | | treasure trove of fascinating memorabilia. The building |
| opportunity. Only weakly attacked on two occasions, | | | | is open to visitors throughout the year for an entrance |
| these massive defences never faced an onslaught. | | | | fee. Information on special events, medieval banquets |
| As its lord of the time supported Parliament against | | | | and other attractions can be found on their website at |
| Charles 1 in the English Civil War, Warwick even | | | | warwick-castle.co. |