Introduction

Warwick Castle has recently expanded its accommodation, adding a superb medieval-themed hotel to its already established glamping site and woodland lodges. But wherever you stay at Warwick Castle, or even if you visit for a day, there is one rule – the kids come first.

From birds of prey zig-zagging across the skies to Julia Donaldson’s Zog zig-zagging through the blue, there are countless activities to entertain the little ones, with more than a bit of history thrown in. There is something for all ages, but at Warwick Castle – and especially at the overnight accommodation – the children are the priority.

Our medieval-themed accommodation

Just inside Warwick Castle Hotel’s main door, my two daughters – aged eight and five – found huge joy in pulling up a sword to bring to life a giant mechanical horse, the central feature of the reception area. The walls are flanked by animated portraits, and from the balcony above, which led to our state room for the night, the view was even better.

The rooms at the Warwick Castle Hotel are stunning. The shield of a noble knight sits proudly on the wall above the king-size bed. There were criss-crossed swords mounted (safely!) on the wall, and the regal theme runs throughout the soft furnishings and cushions, which are decorated with shields. The children were delighted with the bunk beds, and even in the bathroom, there is a tapestry on the wall with lots of intricate details to look at. There is so much to engage, entertain and inspire the little ones, and it is very impressive.

Rooms at Warwick Castle Hotel include:

• Medieval themed finishes
• Full air conditioning
• A kingsize bed and children’s bunk bed with pull-out trundle (cots available on request)
• Tea and coffee making facilities
• Complimentary toiletries
• Iron, ironing board, hairdryer and towels
• TV and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout
• En-suite including a bath and overhead shower

Child friendly activities, facilities (and food!)

After checking in, we headed down to the Knight’s Village – the activity zone for children staying at Warwick Castle’s accommodation – where there was a huge range of child-centred activities to get involved in. My eight year old tried archery and plate spinning, while the five-year-old loved played games with princess. They had their faces painted too, and for adults, there is plenty of seating and a bar. On a sunny day, next to the River Avon, it was a great way to unwind before our evening meal. The kids made friends with other children and there were no requests for screens. They simply made the most of the great outdoors, which was great to see.

Dinner and breakfast for everyone staying at Warwick Castle is served buffet style in the Accommodation Restaurant, which is exclusively for overnight guests. Situated between the hotel and the Knight’s Village, there is lots of variety, and the children loved the independence of being able to go and choose their own dishes. The warm Pain au Chocolats at breakfast were especially popular!

A brilliant day out at Warwick Castle

The next day, after a peaceful night’s sleep, we headed out to explore Warwick Castle. The medieval stronghold, a key part of British history for over 1,100 years, is a pleasant 10-minute walk from the accommodation. On a sunny Saturday, we had a plan to make the most of the day. Zog is the dragon hero of Warwick Castle, and a number of Zog-themed activities and a live show retelling the classic Julia Donaldson story take centre stage. We started the day at the Zog Playland, then headed to the Woodland Theatre for the Zog Live Show. There are beanbags at the front of the stage for the little ones to sit on, and you don’t need to worry about them wandering off unseen, because the show is utterly enchanting – even for grown ups.

After the Zog Live Show, which was followed by a meet and greet with Zog himself, we toured the grounds and enjoyed watching the peacocks, which roam freely around the site. We made sure we had a good view for The Falconer’s Quest, the UK’s largest bird of prey display, which was truly spectacular. Owls, vultures, falcons and even a bald eagle fly over the crowds as the story of Hobby, who goes on an epic quest to discover the most amazing birds in the land, is told against the backdrop of the River Avon.

There are lots of fast food and street food options available at Warwick Castle, but for lunch, we decided to go to the Conservatory Tea Room, where I was able to buy reasonably-priced packed lunches for the children and a bagel for me. We sat outside in a peaceful green space, overlooking the fountain, with peacocks strutting nearby. Of course, we bought ice creams from one of the vans too – I wasn’t going to get off that lightly!

Our day continued with Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star, followed by the Horrible Histories maze. For both of these interactive trails, you collect stamps on a card as you complete each activity. Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star ends with a live Knight School, after which the children are presented with a certificate – a lovely keepsake. We finished the day with a climb up many, many steps up to the towers and ramparts, where the views of Warwick and the surrounding countryside are breathtaking.

Sad to leave..

If you want entertainment and education for the kids during your days and weekends out, Warwick Castle offers both in abundance – and the hotel is an excellent addition guaranteed to extend the joy for your little knights, dragons and princesses.

If you’ve been inspired to book your own family trip to Warwick Castle, and for pricing and availability information, visit the Warwick Castle website.