Warwick Castle

Beside the commercial town of Leamington Spa is the more traditional town of Warwick. How traditional is Warwick? Well, it doesn't have the malls or the nightlife that Leamington Spa has, but it does have one large castle right in the middle of it!

Since it was less than 30 minutes away, I decided to go there last Saturday to check out Warwick Castle. I was quite pleased. It is a real castle, beautifully maintained. And unlike some other castles I have visited, this one is more interactive... demonstrations of archers, and lots of exhibits to walk through.

The castle used to be the residence of the Earl of Warwick, who was nicknamed the 'Kingmaker', for he was the reputed power behind the throne. Enough of history, here are my pictures!




Picturesque, eh?


This is a trebuchet! The ultimate in siege weaponry, this was used to bombard heavily fortified structures by hurling rocks into the same point of the structure over and over again until it broke. I wish I had a video camera, since they had a demonstration... they hurled a fireball over 250 yards across a field! As someone who has interest in history and weapons of war, this was an awesome site to behold!

The castle is also the site for concerts, especially in the summer. It is normally held in the courtyard under the night sky, and people are encouraged to bring picnic baskets and dine as the concert goes on. I have been fortunate to watch a concert in Lincoln Castle last year, so I know how it feels like... trust me, nothing compares to a full orchestra playing, Russell Watson singing, and full fireworks overhead. It is an experience that I would like to repeat, this time in Warwick Castle one day!

La Vita e Bella!