Kids go free is the battle cry . . .

TO celebrate the arrival of the Wars of the Roses Live, taking place over 50 selected dates from the 27th May, Warwick Castle is offering ‘Kids Go Free’ places on all medieval sleepovers this Spring and Summer, including school holiday dates, within The Knight’s Village.

In front of a 2,000 strong first thumping audience in the new mediaeval-style arena, brave Knight’s will cross lances in this epic conflict, depicting the extraordinary events that divided England six hundred years ago.

The battle will continue on into the evening within The Knight’s Village, where accommodation will be themed in House colours, red and white. An all-you can eat feast, with Wars of the Rose LIVE battle entertainment, will also be available to residents in the Mediaeval Banquet Hall.

www.warwickcastlebreaks.com

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Women at Warwick

IN celebration of International Women’s Day Warwick Castle will be hosting two exclusive expert-guided tours on Wednesday 8th March, specifically to put the ‘hidden’ women of its 1,103 year history in the spotlight.

Women at Warwick: The Hidden Lives of History teases out tales of heroism, human endeavor and humanity, drawing on original material found in the castle archives.

The exclusive tour will run twice on International Women's Day at 11.30am and 2.30pm and is included within the price of general admission.

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Family Forays at Warwick Castle

WARWICK Castle is a medieval castle developed from an original built by William the Conqueror in 1068 in the county town of Warwickshire, England and it was a private residence up until 1978 when it was opened as a tourist attraction.

Commanding an unrivalled location on the banks of the River Avon, the mediaeval themed Knight’s Village comprises 28 riverside lodges and seasonal Mediaeval Glamping, set in the wooded grounds of Warwick Castle. Opened in summer 2016, Knight’s Village offers Warwick Castle guests year-round accommodation, with a new range of seasonal two-day short breaks available for 2017:

Fab February (February 17- 25) 

Half term short breaks includes breakfast and car parking, and two days’ Castle admission.

Tiny Knights (March & May) 

In addition to breakfast, car parking and two days’ entrance to Warwick Castle, Tiny Knights enjoy a free two-hour playtime in the Tiny Knight’s Club. Hosted by the Castle jester, it’s a hands-on play experience with crafts, colouring, building, songs and story telling. (Selected dates available)

Easter Breaks (7 - 22 April) 

An opportunity to explore the Towers & Ramparts, following the story of Devile Warwick., Admire birds of prey soaring over the ancient castle; navigate the Horrible Histories® Maze and meet characters from history in a real castle.

War of the Roses Live Summer Spectacle (50 selected dates May 27 - September 3)
Based on true events that tore apart England in the fifteenth century, War of the Roses Live. The Houses of York and Lancaster – cousins at war – take over Warwick Castle. Sleepover in the Mediaeval Glamping Village or a lodge in the wooded glade and enjoy an overnight stay in a themed lodge; an encounter with the knights themselves; longbow shooting and sword handling; breakfast and car parking; and two days’ entry to Warwick Castle.

Starlit Summer Sleepover (June and July) 

With a full day out exploring the attractions and shows at Warwick Castle followed by a sleepover under the star-filled skies.

The Haunted Castle (October 20 - 31)

With wondrous witches, heinous hags, Horrible Histories® and the return of the Trebuchet fireball spectacular. After a day of fearsome fun for all ages the fright factor is cranked high after dark and the Castle remains open until 9pm then head back to your Knight’s Village lodge to hear tales from the battlefield from a real-life knight.

Book before the 31st January and save up to 30 percent on all dates throughout the year.

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Picture Credit: Kotomi flickr.com/photos/23586209@N03/3439567626 Warwick Castle via photopin

War of the roses at Warwick Castle in 2017

A live action horseback battle with jaw-dropping special effects, the Wars of the Roses Live promises to be a spectacular show to be held at Warwick Castle in 2017.

Book before 31 January 2017 to secure up to 30% off a Wars of the Roses themed short break including exclusive viewing for the Wars of the Roses Live and a sleepover in a mediaeval-themed riverside Woodland Lodge in the new Knight’s Village at Warwick Castle.

www.warwick-castle.com/war-of-the-roses 

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Can Santa be Number 1 in the charts?

A child’s wish to help Father Christmas and his Elves is coming true this festive season as #Santa Claus (as seen at Warwick Castle) launches a bid to claim the #Christmas charity single charts number one spot. Available for download today, Santa’s Little Helpers, is a jaunty jingle, thought to have been inspired by a poem written by a child on a recent visit to see Santa at #WarwickCastle, offering to help the Elves over Christmas.

Performed by Santa Claus and local children of The Stagecoach Agency ranging from six to 10 years old, ‘Santa’s Little Helpers’ is available to download now from iTunes, Google Play and Amazon for just 79p with ALL proceeds going to Merlin’s Magic Wand.

As the race for the prestigious Christmas number one song begins, ‘Santa’s Little Helpers’ is the perfect solution to decades of assaults on the Xmas charts from the likes of X Factor winners and Mr Blobby to endless boy band ballads. Who better for the top spot than Santa himself?

Merlin’s Magic Wand is a global charity providing magical days out for ill, disabled and disadvantaged children and their families at over 100 Merlin Entertainments attractions worldwide.

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Picture Credit: orbakhopper flickr.com/photos/32029534@N00/22316275213 descending santa : castro, san francisco (2013) via photopin.

Castle Christmas

A 20-foot-high Christmas tree graces the Great Hall at Warwick Castle (www.warwick-castle.com), which is now open for festive frolics every day throughout the Christmas period, except Christmas Day. 

For the first time ever, enjoy a Santa Sleepover in the mediaeval themed Knights Village, which includes two full days to experience the Castle's yuletide events and attractions, including all-new Stories with Santa.

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Picture Credit: Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle festive treats

DECK the halls! The festive celebrations commence with the arrival of the 25-foot-high Christmas tree on 14 November. Hand decorated from tip to trunk, the tree will grace the iconic Great Hall until 3 January 2017.

Santa’s Stately Breakfast, a magical feast for families inspiring lifelong memories.For the first time in the Castle’s 1,100-years guests can feast at Mr. and Mrs. Claus’ very own private dining table set in the Castle’s fairytale State Dining Room. Children can enjoy games and festivities with Mrs. Claus and the elves while Santa presents a personalised gift to each child.

Santa Sleepover ( December 2,3,9,10,17-23) complete with an Elf wakeup call. Guests enjoy exclusive storytime with Santa after breakfast and can add an evening meal with Mr and Mrs Claus to their stay. 

Welcome 2017 with the New Year’s Eve Great Hall Ball, a captivating evening of enthralling entertainment from some of Warwick Castle’s best-loved characters, with fine food served in the distinguished surroundings of The Great Hall.

For more information and dates, go to: www.warwick-castle.com. To book an event for a private group of to join a shared party, email events@warwick-castle.com or call 01926 406 660.

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Medieval Glamping anyone?

#WarwickCastle has extended its Mediaeval #Glamping season until 15 September, enabling visitors to enjoy a Mediaeval sleepover under the stars.

From just £37.50 per person per night, based on four sharing, guests can enjoy an overnight stay in one of the stylish, ready-to-sleep tents, which are set in a riverside woodland glade.

Or how about a sleepover in the new Princess Felice’s Tent, for the 6,7, 8,11 and 15 September with prices from £40 per person per night based on four sharing. The themed tent, which can sleep up to five guests, features a fairytale-style four-poster bed, ornate furnishings and soft pastel drapes.

All glamping stays include two days priority entry Warwick Castle with its daily programme of live actor shows and attractions; the choice of continental or full English breakfast served in the Mediaeval Banquet Hall and car parking.

How to get there:

Easily accessible from Junction 15 of the M40, just 40 minutes from Birmingham and 1 hour 40 minutes from London.

To book Mediaeval Glamping, visit www.warwick-castle.com/sleepovers.

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Picture Credit: 24327829@N04/20983391845 Warwick Castle from the River via photopin.com

Warwick Castle opens Knights Village

#WARWICKCASTLE has opened its Knight’s Village, a £5 million investment in 28 year-round, medieval-themed woodland lodges and 41 seasonal glamping tents. 

Fifty jobs will be created and the castle expects to welcome more than 20,000 overnight guests this year. The village, in the castle’s grounds, adds more than 10,000 room nights to Warwick and is expected to bring £2.1 million a year in economic benefit to the district.

The castle showcases its role in English history and aims to offer an authentic experience to guests from across the UK and overseas.

Divisional director of Warwick Castle Nick Blofeld comments: ‘We’re evolving as a world-class visitor destination and now offer a more compelling experience than ever before, putting Warwick firmly on the tourism map. Our all-year Woodland Lodge and Tower Suite accommodation, in addition to our seasonal mediaeval glamping, significantly upgrades the diversity and quantity of guest beds offered in Warwickshire.’

Knight’s Village comprises semi-detached lodges and glamping tents, linked by a raised wooden boardwalk.

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Picture Credit: 8765199@N07/26682633942 Two generations of medieval reenactors via photopin.com

Warwick Castle launches lodge accommodation

#WARWICKCASTLE has opened Knights Village, comprising 28 lodges in the castle’s 64-acre wooded estate. 

From July 1, prices start from £203 per lodge per night including breakfast and two- day castle entry, based on four guests sharing a two-bedroom Woodland Lodge.

The lodges have full ensuite facilities, including wet rooms, and come equipped with TV, fridge, coffee-maker, and central heating. Medieval-style features in the lodges and banqueting hall include lofty ceilings – echoing the castle’s Great Hall – wooden beams, and stonework.

Geoff Spooner, general manager at Warwick Castle, said: ‘This is a new chapter for Warwick Castle. From July 1, we’ll offer guests year-round lodge-style accommodation to complement the castle’s two sumptuous Tower Suites in the 14th century Caesar’s Tower, and our seasonal Mediaeval Glamping Village.’

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Valentine’s treat at Warwick Castle

WITH #Valentine’sDay in view, #WarwickCastle is selling a “memorable fairy tale stay” in its two “sumptuous” Tower suites. From £550 a night, the suites have their own private floor in the 14th century Caesar’s Tower with views across the castle’s courtyard and the surrounding countryside. 

Caesar’s Tower has played host in the past 700 years to lovers including kings, queens, and an amorous Countess of Warwick, paramour of Edward VII.

Opened in summer 2014 and offering complete privacy, the suites have opulent furnishings and drapes, high vaulted ceilings, and a hand-crafted four-poster bed.

Sleepovers include a breakfast served in the suite, a private beyond-the-rope tour of the castle, two days priority access to the attraction, car parking, and a 24-hour concierge service.

For those planning to pop the question over the Valentine’s weekend – and for women considering a leap year proposal on February 29 – Warwick Castle’s Love, Cherish and Adore Proposal packages set the scene with evocative touches: a harpist or a private, off-limits area – such as the roof, and the ancient Mound (the oldest part of the site) – of the castle reserved for the special moment.

www.warwick-castle.com/Sleepovers

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Walk into history at Warwick Castle

GUESTS staying in the luxury Tower Suites at #WarwickCastle can now go ‘beyond the rope’ to get exclusive access to some of the castle’s precious medieval artefacts. 

Escorted by a History Team expert, guests will have the opportunity to handle weapons and suits of armour used in battle, and view heirlooms passed down through generations over the past 1,100 years.

They can also have a private behind-the-scenes tour of parts of the castle normally closed to visitors. .

From £500 per night, two adults can stay in a vaulted chamber in the 14th century Caesar’s Tower. The price includes champagne on arrival, a private castle tour with ‘beyond the rope’ access, breakfast in the State Dining Room and two days’ priority access to the castle attractions.

Warwick Castle is accessible from Junction 15 of the M40, 40 minutes from Birmingham and 1 hour 40 minutes from London. By train, it’s 86 minutes from London Marylebone.

www.warwick-castle.com

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They’re winners!

Best festival … Camp Bestival – Best day out … Warwick Castle 

FAMILY TRAVELLER magazine and familytraveller.com have announced the winners of its inaugural awards, recognizing what their judges – and votes registered by consumers – rate as the best in the #familytravel and #holiday business.

The winners include:

Best …

• UK Day Out for Families: Warwick Castle 
• Festival: Camp Bestival 
• Ferry Operator: Brittany Ferries
• Cruise Line: P&O Cruises 
• Airline: Virgin Atlantic 
• Eco Holiday: Reef and Rainforest Tours 
• Educational Holiday: Wilderness Safaris 
• Ski Operator: Peak Retreats 
• Tour Operator: Family Adventure Company 
• UK Accommodation for Families: Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Cornwall 
• Short-Haul Accommodation for Families: Martinhal, Algarve 
• Long-Haul Accommodation for Families: Soneva Fushi, Maldives 
• European City Break for Families: Rome 
• City Break for Families – Outside of Europe: New York City 
• Destination for Families – Domestic: Scilly Isles 
• Destination for Families – Short Haul: Ibiza 
• Destination for Families – Long Haul: Mauritius

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50616401@N07/4690524425">Main Field, Camp Bestival 2008</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Camp out like a king … or queen

Warwick Castle’s Medieval Glamping Village is open until August 31.

Set in a woodland grove in the castle grounds, Medieval Glamping is a fully set-up, ready-to-sleep experience, including evening entertainment and breakfast along with two-day priority entrance to Warwick Castle.

Guests will experience nights under the stars in one of the 38 Warwick Tents – designed exclusively for the Castle - from £200 per night for a family of up to five.  There are also three luxury Kings tents, complete with thrones, which can accommodate up to four adults from £300 per night.

All of the 41 tents are roomy enough to walk about and stand up inside, feature electric lighting, and are furnished with waterproof wooden flooring, scatter cushions and throws, ample storage, and a mirror.  They all have wooden-framed beds and bed linen, in-tent power, and free Wi-Fi.  

Medieval-themed evening entertainment is included in the price.

The site is secure 24-hours a day.

www.warwick-castle.com



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Picture Credit: Courtesy of www.warwick-castle.com