Warwick Castle

Sitting on a cliff overlooking a bend in the River Avon, Warwick Castle stands the test of time. Built by William the Conqueror in 1068, it was used as a fortification until the early 17th century, when Sir Fulke Greville converted it to a country house. It was owned by the Greville family, who became the Earls of Warwick in 1759 until 1978 when Madame Tussaud's purchased it as a tourist attraction (see more below).



Out touring entourage were lucky with the weather and enjoyed a gorgeous day of sunshine sightseeing at Warwick Castle, although the sky did begin to turn cloudy towards the end of our visit. First, the entrance to the castle.







The castle was taken in 1153 by Henry of Anjou, later Henry II, and used as a prison for many years with one of its most famous prisoners being the English king, Edward IV. Since its construction in the 11th century, the castle has undergone structural changes with additions of towers and redesigned residential buildings which are evident by the various architectural styles. The castle itself, walled fortress, turrets and grounds.



















In 1898, Daisy, Countess of Warwick, hosted a weekend party at which the principle guests was the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII and a young Winston Churchill. The wax figure exhibit, The Royal Weekend Party as presented by Madame Tussaud's, brings to life the secrets of a Victorian household and all its important guests. Most of the furnishings and fittings are those that were actually here in 1898, and photographs taken at the time mean that it has been possible to put every chair, table, bed and book in exactly the place it occupied exactly 100 years ago.















View of the surrounding town of Warwick and castle grounds from atop the fortress walls (exactly 530 steps to the top...all in a circular staircase, I might add).







The river Avon from the window of Warwick Castle.