What's on in the area

Warwick Castle

Daily

Cost: Off Peak Period (Nov-Jan) £17.95; children £11.95; family ticket £52; Peak period (Feb-Oct) £18.95; children £11.95; family ticket £56

Hours: 10am-5pm (Apr-Sep until 6pm)

Warwick Castle more than lives up to its billing as Britain's Greatest Medieval Experience. It is bursting to the towers with tales of treachery, torture, passion and power.

Warwick's defences date back to the days of Alfred the Great, and the long line of Warwick Earls have fought beside the kings of England through many centuries of battle. Nowadays the castle has sumptuous state apartments, extensive gardens, a moat, an imposing medieval (mediaeval) battlements and a range of exciting and informative themed attractions.

Its themed attractions are brought to life with a full programme of interactive entertainment, costumed guides and colourful castle characters telling spellbinding stories. Kingmaker is a walk-through experience, with a cast of mediaeval characters created by Tussauds' team of wax sculptors, music, audio and smell effects. It recreates the final battle preparations as the story of "Kingmaker" Richard Neville's ambition unfolds.

There's also a tour of the 14th-century Ghost Tower, once occupied by Sir Fulke Greville who is said to haunt the tower to this day. Using a terrifying mix of live actors, sound, visual and light effects the story of Sir Fulke Greville's tragic murder is recreated.

Death or Glory traces the military developments that shaped much of the castle's tempestuous and often bloody history. Visitors are encouraged to literally feel the weight of the swords taken to battle and to get a soldier's eye view from beneath the brim or through the visor of their helmets.

The castle also has 60 stunning acres of grounds, much of which were landscaped by Capability Brown, and formal gardens including the Victorian Rose Garden and the Peacock Garden.

Warwick Castle