A fabulous day out at Warwick Castle (review).

A couple of weeks ago we took 5 of our children to Warwick Castle for the day. I haven't been since the early 90's, so I knew it would be different but I didn't realise how much. It turns out pretty much the only thing that's the same is the castle itself.

It's quite a long walk from the car park (which has a £6 parking charge that you pay before you leave). We arrived before 10.30am and there were no queues to get in. If you use vouchers for entry make sure you buy any Dungeon Tickets and Merlin: The Dragon Tower tickets now. We didn't and had to pay individually, missing out on 'buy one get one free'.

At 10.30am they Raise The Portcullis - we just missed this because of a toilet visit!

Before we even went in, the children were given a Horrible Histories lanyard with a card to stamp. One of the first things you see, aside from the first part of Warwick Castle, are some of the Horrible Histories areas. Vikings and Saxons are immediately as you enter.

We spent some time playing a Saxon game sort of like Tennis with shields and bean bags, writing our names with runes, trying on costumes and interacting with the actors.

This is also where the old Millhouse is, which is full of the history of the Millhouse and the machinery, but also houses the Vile Victorian schoolroom. The actor was fantastic! He really knew how to work his crowd and had everyone crying with laughter.

He was brilliant - but wouldn't stand still for a photo!

The Slimy Stuarts were here too - and I didn't take any photo's! The actor was brilliant and very funny, but my lot were keen to get into the castle itself.

You can go in through the gate, or walk to the top of the hill and go through a gate in the wall. We chose the latter. The view from the top of the hill is stunning - and it was a perfect place to watch the Trebuchet fire a flaming missile - it went an immense distance into the woodland.

The Trebuchet Fireball Spectacular is at 11.30 and 4.30 each day - weather permitting. It's definitely worth watching.

Through the gate in the wall and you get to see the courtyard and the rest of Warwick Castle. It really is incredibly impressive. Merlin have spent over £6m on restoration since they took over.

We went into the Castle Dungeon before lunch. It costs £9 each and you are given a time slot. The attraction is a walk-through attraction which takes 50 minutes. It is not recommended for children under 10, but you can leave any time if you need to.

We took our little boys in because they're used to all kinds of terrifying stuff having lived with 5 teenagers, and fully expecting to take them out when they were too scared. There were a couple of other children around 7/8 years old too.

This lady wasn't scary at all!

But the Jester was terrifying - and very stern!

This is where the cast really came into their own, they were really good. There were surprises and shocks and lots to make you jump and then laugh. There was audience participation at just the right level I felt. We all thoroughly enjoyed it, and our youngest took their cues from the rest of us and were fine. I think as a rough guide, if your children would be scared by Buffy The Vampire Slayer or Batman then they wouldn't enjoy this. The scariest room was the last one.

There are no phones or flash photography allowed in the Dungeon, and that's right - it's very dark and lights would spoil it. The fact that it's very dark, in a real actual castle with spiral staircases and tiny, windy, narrow corridors means the first 3 rooms are not accessible by people with physical impairment, but guests using wheelchairs can visit the rest of the Dungeon for free. I was fine even though I still have issues with standing for long and climbing stairs. I just took a little longer and there's regular seating. The Dungeon is definitely not suitable for anyone carrying a babe-in-arms, nor can you take a pushchair or small child in.

We did opt to buy the photo package at the end of the attraction. Usually I hate the hard sell, but on this occasion for us they were truly awesome! £20 buys you 3 photo's in a booklet, keyring and fridge magnet and digital downloads.

You may well have spotted another tip here - don't wear a green t-shirt like our 5 year old! 

Unless of course you want to be invisible....

The Castle Dungeon is a show attraction - the actual Castle Gaol is next door and doesn't have the queues it used to have!

We ate lunch sat outside watching the battle re-enactment. The entertainment does vary, so if you want to see something specific check before you visit.

My children went into the Princess Tower - I didn't, but the cast were lovely...

Then the rest of my family visited Merlin: The Dragon Tower. This again has allotted times to avoid queues and overcrowding. I dipped out to take some more photo's.

I was a bit disappointed however when I realised what I'd missed. After you have visited the tower you walk through what was the original attraction at Warwick - the period rooms are still there and protected for you to see if you wish, along with a selection of waxworks.

Through a huge entrance archway and there was masses more to see. A row of shops where my boys bought themselves wooden swords, and archery and knight lessons (which cost extra) that we watched for a few minutes, but didn't take part in.

Here we also found the Measly Middle Ages. Truly gross history - pouring poo into the street and horrible cures for every ailment.

Towards the greenhouse and the back of the castle - and the out-of-place portaloo's.This is the area where everyone comes to watch the Birds Of Prey. Sadly we didn't have time, but we saw the crowds and heard the cheers!

Across the gardens to my favourite Horrid History of the whole day - the Gorgeous Georgians. 

Never in my life did I think I could learn so much about Royal history in 5 minutes, nor that it would be so interesting! The actor was fabulous, she really was.

There was only just time before closing for some of my family to climb up and walk part way around the castle ramparts, with a final excellent view showing the Princess Tower, Merlin Tower, and the gateway at the top of the hill through which we'd come in...

We had an absolutely amazing time visiting Warwick Castle, it's open all year round and you can find out more on the Warwick Castle website.

We were given 2 x free entry to Warwick Castle and some spending money in order to travel down and review.