Sunday 6 June 2010

Warwick Castle

I had hoped to use one of my photos from this week's trip to Warwick Castle to update my profile picture. This one might be OK when I've cropped it. (I'm on the right.) Warwick bills itself as 'Britain's ultimate castle', which is quite a statement. But there really is loads to see and do. And if you use 2 for 1 vouchers from the Radio Times, as we did, then it's not bad value for a day's entertainment.

Jousting takes place during Whitsun week, and then for the schools' summer holidays. Health and safety rules being stricter than they were in the medieval period, you have to watch the jousting from the opposite bank of the river. But there is plenty of time afterwards to see horses and jousters up close.

If you're feeling energetic you can climb the castle walls to see the views across Warwickshire. The big wooden structure on the left of this picture is a replica of a medieval weapon called a trebuchet. We didn't stay late enough to see it in action, but it's used to hurl flaming missiles through the air!

This morning we had a sparrow in the bedroom and I was in such a panic. The whirring noise of little birds' wings always does that to me. But anything bigger than a parrot and I am fine. At Warwick they have fantastic displays of falconry. I'd have liked to get decent photos of this display but I was too busy gasping at the huge wingspans of the vulture and the American eagle as they swooped in low over our heads.

There are also lots of quiet corners, like the Rose Garden, where you can recover the use of your legs from all the walking.

And see odd things that you wouldn't expect.

And so a good time was had by all!

13 comments:

Kate said...

Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day. I miss the history over here. We don't go back very far!

larainydays said...

Thanks for this post Joanne. Warwick is one place we were able to visit and I loved it. The view from the top was incredible. Thanks for the great photos.

joanne fox said...

Thank you both, and Laraine I hope my pics brought back happy memories for you!

Old Kitty said...

Warwick Castle!!!!! Excellent - I've always wanted to go there and if that guy with the big stick on the white horse is gonna be there - I'll definitely be queueing outside!! :-)

But seriously - what a wonderful trip - I like that there's all these ye olde re-enactments scattered around the castle grounds - makes for a great atmosphere! Oh and I'd definitely walk up the castle walls to see that fantastic view and keep well out of the trebuchet.

I do like the falconry display. I only ever saw one and I was in France! And it was all in French (of course!!) but the birds - oh the birds came swooping at you and perched next to you and then flew back.. amazing, amazing display.

I hope the sparrow managed to escape from your room btw! :-)

And it took me a while to understand what you meant about you being on the right of the pic... LOL!!!

Love the sign. It raises more questions really doesn't it?? :-)

Take care
x

Bob said...

I've never been to Warwick. I think, from what you say, I would like to go there.

Karen said...

I love Warwick Castle, and those are great photos. Shame about the man bending over, but I'm sure you can chop him out!

Joanna said...

These are stunning pictures. I must visit Warwick Castle, as it isn't all that far. My youngest daughter went there on a school trip and she was fascinated by the trebuchet. She would have loved to see the dungeons too. I think that might be at extra cost. I'm glad you had such a good day.

joanne fox said...

Bottoms up Karen!

Yes Joanna, the dungeons do cost extra. I went in the dungeon years ago when it was included in the admission so I didn't bother paying to go in again this time.

Bob, it's a great place to visit, and if you're interested in history there's lots to see inside as well as out. Too much for me to include everything here!

Old Kitty, I still feel jumpy when I go into the bedroom. Part of me expects that sparrow to come fluttering up from behind the bed even though I know it got safely out through the window. Give me a vulture any day!

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

I've never been, but after reading this Warwick Castle will be on my list of places to visit.

Love the photos.

XX

HelenMWalters said...

That looks like a fabulous day out.

oliveobrien1978 said...

It looks beautiful! We have a similar facility about 10 minutes away from us and I go along practically every weekend. It's not exactly a castle, but there are beautiful grounds and gardens, perfect for a summer stroll!
www.writeolive.com

Denise Covey said...

Wow! Loved the photos. Great day out. Jousting! Oh, the English. What fun...)

joanne fox said...

What - you mean you don't have jousting in Australia?! Heavens above!