This week, I’m wandering to a view that I’ve seen many times. It’s of an ancient castle, almost a thousand years old in parts – a place steeped in legend, where kings were made and battles fought, mysteries still hiding in its thick stone walls. This is Warwick Castle.
The original castle at Warwick was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror as part of his strategy to stamp his authority on the newly conquered country. It is situated along a bend of the storied River Avon and, until 1978, was still residence of the Earls of Warwick, the legendary Kingmakers.
Kings, Queens and assorted nobility have all stayed within its grey walls over the centuries, including Elizabeth I, Richard III and Queen Victoria. The castle has been painted by Canaletto, among others, and its collection of arms and armour is considered second only to that in the Tower of London. Hardly surprising, considered the many and varied wars fought on behalf of kings and queens by Warwicks over the years.
The castle is also home to one of the world’s largest working trebuchets, or siege engines. Eighteen metres tall and made of oak, it can fling projectiles as far as 300 metres. I have seen it in action and it is something to behold – it takes four men running in treadmills just to lift the counterweight!
Near to the castle is a lovely park I’ve often visited. It’s home to a funfair and mini golf, as well as lovely gardens and, down by the river, there is a place to picnic and fly kites. Water lilies float serene, as do the ducks and swans, and for a moment you could be anywhere, at any time.
On the edge of the park is a bridge across the river, where you can pause and take in the view to the castle. Set into the pavement is this plaque. I think I would have to agree. 🙂
Thank you for coming on another Wednesday Wander with me – see you next time!
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Helen Glynn Jones 
It must be about 45 years since I last saw Warwick Castle. It was an incredible sight. Time I renewed my acquaintance perhaps.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
Thanks David 🙂 It is still incredible to see, whatever the season – there is so much history within those walls. Hope you get to see it again, and that you’re feeling better – hugs to you too! xx
❤ xxx
I often wondered what Warwick Castle was like – now I think I might have to visit it! Thanks for sharing 😀
Thanks, Deb! It’s really lovely – the setting, the interior, the history – it really is the quintessential castle 🙂
It’s on my ‘to visit’ list! I pass it whenever I judge at the National Agricultural Centre at Stoneleigh, now I will make time to go and see it.
I’m off on holiday on Saturday, touring the Outer Hebrides, so hoping for some great pics to share, including some ancient standing stones. Keep an eye out…
Ooh, enjoy your holiday! Sorry, I’m late responding to this so you must be off already – hope you have a fabulous time 🙂 And I’ll keep an eye out for those photos when you come back…
We are on the way! Ferry tomorrow to Barra, then onward up the chain of islands over the next week 😀
Lucky you! Have a wonderful time 🙂
I’ve lived in Birmingham for 16 years and while I’ve been to Warwick once I’ve never been in the castle! This is definitely something I need to sort out – lovely pics too!
Oh yes, definitely go inside – it’s beautiful! I should do a post about the inside too, actually. It’s such an interesting place, such a history. And there are lovely grounds as well 🙂
So romantic looking!
It is, isn’t it? I always wanted to live in a castle 🙂
It has no air control and too many cobwebs! Just buy a condo in Southern California with all that money hahahaha!
Haha! Maybe (in the fantasy world where I have millions of dollars) I’ll buy both! 😀
Yes! I’ll visit you in both hahahaha!
Absolutely! I’ll send my private jet to collect you 😆
I love private jets!
Hehe, me too! Well, we can dream… 🙂
Such a beautiful old castle. We don’t have anything like this here in Australia. I guess that”s why I love Europe so much. 🙂
It’s a wonderful old place 🙂 I lived in Australia for many years, and there’s a lot of beauty there too. I did miss castles though, when I lived there!
Most definitely. It’s a different type of beauty in both places. 😉
I agree 🙂
AS A child we went so much… it was the go to place for us to take the myriad of family who would come to visit from various parts of the world. Can’t believe I haven’t taken my own kids yet on a visit back to my parents!
Oh, I love that, Ritu! We were the same, went a few times when I was a kid, and have been quite a lot since Issy was born 🙂 It’s a great place to visit, isn’t it?
It is filled with history and inspiration too!!!
So much! It’s one of the best castles around, I think 🙂
Lucky to have it really aren’t we!!! I have Leeds castle nearby here which is smaller but pretty amazing too with its maze and grotto!
We are very lucky in this little country of ours to have so many wonderful places, definitely! Closest castle to me now is Berkhamsted – took gorgeous girl and one of her friends there a little while ago and they had the place to themselves, played for ages while I sat and read – just lovely 🙂
We are indeed very lucky!
That sounds perfect!!!!!
It really was – just perfect! 🙂
🙂
I’ve seen it from the outside, but for some reason have never visited, though I have always meant to do so… x
Even though Tussauds have it now, there’s a lot of magic inside those walls, Sue. I will probably do another post about it at one point. Also took some lovely orb photos there 🙂
One of these days I should go there… 🙂
You should 🙂 I hope you get to, one day…
I ought to, it isn’t all that far…
It isn’t, is it? Perhaps next time you wander north? 🙂
Looks like an awesome place to wander.
It’s pretty fab, Craig – I think you’d love it 🙂
I know I would.
It looks lovely, Helen. Thank you for taking me on your Wednesday wander. 🙂
Thanks, Marjorie – it is a lovely place 🙂
So awesome – in the literal sense of the word, as well as the colloquial one.
Thank you! It is a rather splendid example of our great British Castles 🙂