I am inviting you to join us in Warwick for the weekend. We will visit Warwick castle, see a superb birds of prey show and visit a medieval property one owned by Robert Dudley suitor to Elizabeth 1st.
I belong to a local history walking group and for the last few years we have had an annual weekend away. Previously we have usually been to London but last year we went to Stratford on Avon. Last weekend we went to the midlands again, this time to Warwick. One of our members offered to drive a minibus and we booked to stay overnight in the Warwick Arms an eighteenth century former coaching inn close to the castle.
Our visit to Warwick coincided with a regency ball and picnic and a classic car show. A lot of visitors were in costume for one of the two events and we felt decidedly under dressed.
Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle is part of the Merlin attraction group. We were a bit wary as they also run theme parks such as Alton Towers and Thorpe Park. We noticed that the prices were high (four pounds for coffee) but they had obviously made a genuine attempt to preserve and explain the history of the castle.
The castle dates from the 11th century and during the wars of the roses the Earl of Warwick was known as the Kingmaker. His support could make or break a claimant to the throne as he proved when he changed sides. Parts of the castle are suprisingly modern. It has been inhabited continuously until recently by the Earls of Warwick.
The tour of the Castle took us from medieval battles to an early twentieth century weekend party. Outside there were shows such as Jousting, archery and Zig and Zog dragons for children. I enjoyed seeing a medieval trebuchet in action. This time it was being used to hurl rocks at the enemy soldiers rather than the walls of the castle.
The castle has one of the best falconry displays I have ever seen. The story followed a falconer and his attempt to replace the birds of prey which had been killed during the hundred years war. At the end of the show the sky above was filled with birds of prey soaring above the river Avon.
We returned to the Warwick Arms for an excellent dinner and the next morning we were free to explore more of Warwick itself and to mingle with the costumed visitors and classic cars. Warwick town centre has a lot of well preserved Tudor and medieval buildings.
The Lord Leycester
My favourite was the Lord Leycester. It claims to be one of England’s best preserved medieval buildings. Robert Dudley after being rejected as a suitor by Elizabeth the first established the former guildhall as a retreat for retired army officers who want to lead a religious life. This tradition is still maintained though the current master is a woman.
I particularly enjoyed the Tudor garden.
After checking out of the hotel we drove back to Bristol with a stop in Worcester to visit the cathedral and ate our lunch by the River Severn.
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2 responses to “Warwick for the weekend”
How interesting! A walking history tour groups sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
I did a history degree many years ago so it is lovely to meet up with like minded people.