We review Warwick Castle, a historic fortress and family-friendly attraction in Warwickshire, England

Looking for half-term ideas? We’ve just the castle. Built in 1068 by William the Conqueror, Warwick Castle is an enchanting day trip or weekend getaway for all the family. It comprises a grand Great Hall, well-preserved towers, dungeons, and expansive gardens, plus there are historical reenactments that make the attraction all the more immersive. Accommodation options span a new themed hotel, glamping, and lodges. We visit over the holiday period (note: some activities are seasonal and will vary depending on your time of visit) to bring the real lowdown and genuine customer photography on what to expect when visiting Warwick Castle for the weekend.

While this visit was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own. Unedited images taken from our smartphones alongside the main image courtesy of Warwick Castle.

Warwick Castle review

The attraction

The Christmas festivities were in full swing when we arrived on a holiday visit. The entrance was manned by a snow princess on a white horse with her knight for photo opportunities. Families rushed up to meet the trio, kids enchanted from the onset. 

We had tickets to the winter pop-ups; the winter light trail and ice skating; but no matter what time of year you visit there will be live shows, birds of prey talks and demonstrations, and archery. The castle itself is huge and requires a lot of steps, especially if you wish to reach the top of Guy’s Tower, and there are informative guided tours of the Grand Hall.

The attraction’s lush forest environment makes it a place where even those without children (like us) can wander around, perch by the river, and picnic for the day. It was extremely cold and wet during our time of visit, however, so we recommend this for couples during the warmer months. But for families, this is a haven all year round—the young ones will be most entertained and captured by this fairytale castle and its slew of features. 

Overnight accommodation

We stayed at the new Warwick Castle Hotel which starts at just £159 per night based on a family of four, including breakfast. There seems to only be one category of room, standard, plus accessible.

Ours was a pleasant surprise. Newly opened in 2024, it was spotless and the medieval theme had a regal feel thanks to the navy and gold accents. Navy and gold are the colour combinations for Ritz London’s logos and amenities and Fairmont’s Gold Executive Lounges, after all.

There was a king-size bed and in a separate room partitioned by a thick curtain a children’s bunk bed with a pull-out trundle, so families with three kids in tow may all fit in the space. Cots are available on request. 

The bathroom had both adult’s and children’s toilet seats cleverly concealed, unlike anything we’d ever seen in a hotel before. There were so many child-proof aspects that we, as non-parents, even noticed, such as safety barriers in the door partitions. They’ll give you peace of mind.

Our room didn’t quite have a view, however, we assume that was because of our ground-floor entranceway positioning. There are no slippers and robes, and we couldn’t help but feel that at least the parents might like them. 

Things we loved: the Soak superfood skincare bath products, the room size and design, smart tech (USB charging and smart TVs), the lobby robot knight on a horse, and all the kid-safe elements.

Hotel stays here include castle entry tickets, themed evening entertainment, and breakfast.

Food and drink

There are two main dining options for hotel guides, but you’re also nicely positioned in town so walking out to a local eatery is possible.

We dined at the Knight’s Tavern which was an absolute bargain when you’re used to London prices. In fact, the most expensive main dish, the Steak Frites, was just £9. As it was a long day and we’d burned a lot of calories climbing up towers, we ordered several dishes including cheeseburgers, chicken tenders and fried halloumi. It was comfort food at an attraction, so don’t expect a Dorchester-style feast, but it’ll surely keep everyone happy. We were satisfied with the carbs and proteins.

Breakfast was next door at the Knight’s Table, a medieval-themed dining hall, and considering it is all included, it was really good. There was a juice and hot beverage station (with non-dairy milk), bakery, fruit, and a hot food buffet (with plant-based sausages as well as standard breakfast meats).

Getting there

We took Chiltern Trains from London Marylebone Station, an hour-and-a-half journey that leads right up to Warwick, and from there, it’s a short walk through the small town to both the castle and hotel. The carriages are clean and comfortable, and come with free WiFi and decent toilets. Driving to Warwick Castle is also an option that takes a similar amount of time. Paid parking is available at the attraction.

Overall Verdict

We enjoyed visiting Warwick for the first time, with its charming Tudor Houses and boutique shops. It was really quiet even for a holiday weekend, making it an under-the-radar gem to escape the London chaos.

Warwick Castle is the top draw and a must-visit when in the area. For adults, just a few hours will do, but for families, you might as well make it a whole weekend and tire those little ones out. 

We would seriously consider bringing our nieces and nephews here one day—if their parents asked really, really nicely and paid for it all.

Find out more about Warwick Castle or Book through Booking.com

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