Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle tours typically include access to the castle’s armory, state rooms, and Great Hall, as well as the towers, ramparts, and gardens. For a more in-depth experience, opt for a visit to the Castle Dungeon Experience or tuck into a traditional cream tea at the Warwick Castle Conservatory Tea House. First-time visitors may also want to combine a Warwick Castle tour from London with a visit to William Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, or the Cotswolds.

• Warwick Castle is a must-see for history, architecture, and castle buffs.

• Visitor facilities include luggage lockers, ATMs, restaurants, gift shops, and car parking (fees apply).

• Audio guides are available in eight different languages.

• You can stay overnight at the castle in one of the luxury Tower Suites, a lodge, or a glamping tent in the Knight’s Village.

• Some parts of the castle are accessible to wheelchair users and strollers are not allowed inside the castle; however, free stroller storage is available.

Warwick Castle is located 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Birmingham, about a 40-minute drive; from central London, it’s a 2-hour drive along the M40. Direct trains run from London’s Marylebone station to Warwick Station, about a mile from the castle. Alternatively, save yourself the hassle and opt for a guided tour with transportation included.

Warwick Castle is open daily throughout the year, but the busiest times to visit are July, August, and during other school holidays. Although visiting outside of these times is advisable if you’re hoping to avoid the crowds, many of the castle’s shows and activities close down or offer limited availability in low season. The most atmospheric times to visit include Christmas and Easter, when the castle hosts special seasonal events and festivities.

There's no shortage of things to see and do at Warwick Castle. Watch one of the world’s largest working catapults launch a flaming fireball, learn about the castle’s history at the Time Tower multimedia exhibition, attend a medieval banquet, or watch the spectacular "Dragon Slayer" show. Kids will also love following the Horrible Histories adventure maze, dressing up in period costumes, and watching displays of medieval jousting, archery, and falconry.

Many visitors will start their day at Warwick Castle by marveling at its exterior, the East Front. From there, you can tour the Great Hall and State Rooms, head to the dungeons, wander the castle gardens, explore River Island or Pageant Field, scale the ramparts, and more.

Yes, Warwick Castle is worth the trip, especially if you’re already in Shakespeare County and with kids. The castle is owned by the same folks who operate Madame Tussaud’s (of wax figurine fame), so expect more entertainment-complex vibes and family-friendly activities than to sink into the kingly annals of the 12th century.

How much time you need at Warwick Castle depends on the type of experience you’re looking for, though many visitors say roughly 3–4 hours is the sweet spot. That way, you’ll get time to tour the Great Hall and State Rooms, wander the grounds, towers, and ramparts, and maybe add an excursion to the dungeons or The Conqueror’s Fortress.

Warwick Castle has much to offer—it’s an entire entertainment complex, not just a stone tower. Beyond the magnificent Great Hall and State Rooms, guests can tour the dungeons (with a separate ticket), explore the gardens, practice their archery, attend a “royal party,” see what a medieval battle was like, and more.

Yes, experiencing the dungeon at Warwick Castle requires buying a ticket for a nominal extra fee. Tickets can be purchased online either as part of your castle package or on their own. Expect a haunted-house-style experience with actors ready to spook you—not a cold, empty room with a torturous past.

While you can’t walk around Warwick Castle without paying, you can walk up to the castle via Castle Lane, toward the “Merlin” entrance, where you’ll be able to spot the old stables, the castle’s courtyard, and more. You can also head down Mill Street and get great castle views from the River Avon.