Sleep like a King at Warwick Castle!
How would you like to spend the night in a four-poster bed, in a medieval bell tent at the wonderful Warwick Castle? Well we did just that and would like to shout from the rooftops about how magical it was.
Trying to balance school holidays to give parents a break and keep children entertained is always a struggle, so when we were invited to stay in the luxurious glamping tents at Warwick Castle both myself and my little one were equally excited.
The Avenue of the Kings tents include a four-poster bed, elegantly finished with a replica stained-glass headboard and featuring modern essentials like power points and a full-length mirror. Commemorating the 950th anniversary of William the Conqueror building the first structure on the Castle’s site – and named after him and other notable British monarchs – the new glamping tents provide enhanced touches for those seeking a royal night’s sleep. These accommodation improvements reflect the increasing popularity of Warwick Castle as an overnight destination rather than simply just a day trip.
The family-friendly glamping tents also feature two single wooden beds for little princes and princesses, as well as an outdoor seating area, perfect for watching the sun set or playing a game of chess whilst seated in your hand-carved wooden throne. The toilet and shower facilities were just a short walk away and were exceptionally clean and more like hotel bathrooms rather than campsite blocks.
Set by the riverside within the Castle’s extensive grounds, the six new glamping tents sit alongside the comfortable Standard tents (available seasonally) and year-round chalet styled lodges, providing families with ample accommodation choices to ensure a memorable stay, which includes a family two-day ticket for entrance, breakfast and two days car parking.
Upon arrival we were greeted by the super friendly staff who armed us with all the information required for a fantastic action-packed stay. We were then able to access the Castle through a private entrance reserved for those staying in the overnight accommodation.
Our first stop was the Wars of the Roses Live spectacular; in a custom-build arena, featuring jousting and equestrian artistry, this live performance tells the story of one of Britain’s most fiercely contested battles. Choose which ‘side’ you would like to support, The House of York dressed in white; or the House of Lancaster dressed in red. You then cheer and jeer along with your fellow comrades for a truly interactive experience.
To celebrate the success of the War of the Roses live show, Warwick Castle is also unveiling two themed lodges for fans of the Houses of Lancashire and Yorkshire. The Red and White Lodges – exclusively limited to one for each ‘side’ – are perfect for families; furnished in themed colours reflecting your chosen alliance, suits of armour and swords decorate the walls to inspire budding knights and history fans.
The amazing bird displays take place in the Birds of Prey Arena twice daily and are a wonderful demonstration of the skills and hard work of both the birds and their trainers. The talks are informative, funny and engaging for the whole family.
If you are brave enough be sure to visit the new Dungeon experience. The price is additional to your entrance fee, but it is definitely worth it. The actors, props and special effects are truly scary as they tell the story of a plague infested Warwick and the lives of paupers outside the Castle gates.
We chose to dine at the evening all-you-can-eat banquet served in the Medieval Dining Hall. The menu had a great variety of vegetarian options and all food allergens were catered for. In fact, nothing was too much trouble for any of the wonderful staff. Entertainment was even provided during dinner with Sir James and Sir Christoph sword fighting.
Another ‘must do’ at Warwick Castle is the Peacock Gardens where you can enjoy some lunch and sit in the beautifully manicured gardens amongst the peacocks and peahens. A true haven to relax and recharge.
There is simply so much to do at Warwick Castle that we are now considering an annual pass which gives great value throughout the year. We really enjoyed our stay and made so many amazing memories that we will definitely return again soon.
