It is a property that offers a gentleman to remember. No matter how old he is.
The new Warwick Castle Hotel is sure to delight children – and those adults who are big kids at heart.
I fall into the latter category and its medieval-themed rooms filled me with childlike joy on a recent visit.
The property is set in the grounds of Warwick Castle, which already offers a magnificent walk. The fortress offers eerie battlements, intriguing historical artefacts and a winning combination of live shows, storytelling and historical tours under the Merlin Entertainments banner.
The recently opened £16.4m hotel is the perfect finishing touch to the castle, making it an excellent place to spend a lovely weekend.
Sophie Foster visits the new hotel in the grounds of Warwick Castle (pictured). She says it’s a “lovely” weekend break in a “gorgeous” location
Sophie explains that the Warwick Castle Hotel (above), a 10-minute walk from the castle itself, has 60 rooms and resembles a long medieval hall.
“The foyer is home to a 4.3-metre-high animatronic knight, the Earl of Warwick, riding his 300kg armoured steed,” says Sophie. The portraits, horse and knight, move and speak when the sword, seen here at the foot of the statue, is drawn.
The hotel, located a 10-minute walk from the castle, has 60 rooms and resembles a grand medieval hall. Check-in takes place via the entrance hall, where a moment of wonder awaits you.
In the foyer, a 13-foot-tall animatronic knight, the Earl of Warwick, looms over the statue on his 660-pound armored steed. When your kids or, in my case, your partner, try to pull the sword out of the ground beneath the statue, sounds and movements are activated. The horse rears, the knight announces himself, and the pictures on the walls chatter. It’s all very Harry Potter.
Take an elevator ride, decorated with shelf decals, magic balls and feathers, up to your bedroom and you’ll discover that it’s more than a little bit special.
Sophie’s “comfortable and huge” room came equipped with “a luxurious king-size bed with royal blue linens,” as pictured above.
Children’s bunk beds, along with a trundle bed, are installed in an anteroom next to the master bedroom, as shown in the image.
Each is decorated in a Wars of the Roses theme, with wall-hanging shields, coats of arms and tapestries. Our comfortable and enormous room had a plush king-size bed with royal blue linen and bunk beds, plus a trundle bed in an anteroom.
The medieval finish is reflected throughout the bedroom, with my favourite detail being a pair of heavy metal swords crossed and strapped to the wall (don’t worry, I checked and they’re firmly nailed into the plaster). As for modern amenities, there’s air conditioning, which is appreciated during the hot summer weather, and a large TV.
A beautiful wooden walkway connects Warwick Castle Hotel to the war camp-style tents of The Knight’s Village, one of the estate’s other accommodation options. The village sits on the banks of the River Avon, where the first wave of fun begins with evening entertainment from 6pm to 8pm.
Families can take part in activities such as archery, dueling and storytelling. While I was there, children were running around and playing (particularly with ducks, ducklings and swans fighting over crumbs), allowing parents to relax with a beer, wine or snack from a nearby food stall.
Evening entertainment takes place at the Knight’s Village, seen here, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm each night (file image)
‘Between the hotel and Knight’s Village is the lodge’s restaurant (above), with high beamed ceilings and iron chandeliers,’ says Sophie.
“The food (pictured) was at the level of your average chain restaurant,” says Sophie. The salad bar and roast cost £26.75 for adults, £15.75 for children or £7.75 for babies.
Between the hotel and Knight’s Village is the hotel’s restaurant, with high beamed ceilings and iron chandeliers.
This is where we had our free breakfast – cereal, pastries or a hot buffet. It is also open for dinner – there is a salad bar and a carvery (£26.75 for adults, £15.75 for children and £7.75 for babies). The food was on par with your average chain restaurant – I wouldn’t rush back.
The next day, spent at Warwick Castle, is all about live entertainment, including a jousting tournament called War of the Roses Live!, where you have to choose sides between the Yorkists and the Lancastrians and take part in the booing.
The Falcon’s Quest is an epic display of birds of prey featuring eagles, falcons and vultures. The Legend of the Trebuchet shows the use of a huge siege engine (including small explosions). Finally, there’s the Zog Live show, in which Julia Donaldson’s dragon character tries to catch a princess on a (no doubt very funny) adventure.
At Warwick Castle, pictured above, live shows “are the standouts,” Sophie notes, but you can also take free guided tours of the castle where “you’ll discover murder holes and a clock once owned by Marie Antoinette.”
Sophie enjoyed a jousting tournament called War of the Roses Live! (left) and archery for £6 (right)
Visitors can also try their hand at archery (£6), jousting for children (£6) or take one of the many free guided tours of the castle, where they’ll discover ‘murder holes’ and a clock that once belonged to Marie Antoinette. Climb the tower (520 steps) to look out over the town of Warwick from the battlements or relax in the attractive flower gardens alongside the roaming peacocks. When hunger strikes, head to the food stalls for a food, drink and ice cream combo (£13.95).
In the courtyard I saw ladies dancing Morris and pantomiming, accompanied by the laughter of little princesses and squires.
I can hardly think of a more enjoyable display of English culture and history than the adventure-filled grounds of Warwick Castle. I will be returning with great pleasure.