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Warwick Castle, Warwickshire

Although there are tales of Warwick Castle dating back to the days of Alfred the Great, it was William the Conqueror who built the first recorded castle at Warwick. This was a wooden fortification on top of a mound, one of many he built around the country. Later rebuilt in stone, the castle first saw fighting in 1264 when Simon de Montfort seized the castle during his rebellion against Henry III . William Mauduit, Earl of Warwick and owner of Warwick Castle was loyal to Henry III, and was imprisoned in nearby Kenilworth Castle.

When Mauduit died, the castle passed to the Beauchamp family, with whom it remained for almost two centuries. Then when the powerful noble Richard Neville married the sister of the last Beauchamp earl, the castle passed to the Nevilles. Once again the castle and its earl were to play a role at the centre of English history. Richard Neville used his influence to help depose Henry VI in 1461, and replace him with Edward IV. Then in 1470, after a falling out with Edward IV, Richard Neville switched his allegiance and brought Henry VI back to the throne. This turned out to be a disastrous misjudgment. By the following year Henry had been deposed again, and Edward was back in control. Richard Neville was hunted down by Edward's brother, Richard Duke of Gloucester, and his castle became the property of Edward and Richard's younger brother, George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence. The Duke of Clarence was himself executed for plotting against king Edward IV in 1478, and Warwick Castle was given to Richard of Gloucester. In 1483 Edward IV died, and was succeeded for a few months by his young son as Edward V. But Richard of Gloucester seized the throne, and become Richard III. In some accounts the order for the murder of young Edward V imprisoned in the Tower of London came from Richard at Warwick Castle (see The Princes in the Tower by Alison Weir).

Richard was deposed in 1485, and from Richard the castle passed on down through twenty further earls, before becoming a member of a heritage group called the Treasure Houses of England in the 1970s. The castle is now run as a visitor attraction.

There is a full calander of events, and an active school's programme covering all ages.

 

 

 

Address: Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire CV34 4QU.

Opening Times: The castle is open every day except 25th December.

November to March, 10am - 5pm.

April to October 10am - 6pm.

Last admission is thirty minutes prior to closing. From 5th December to 3rd January special Christmas events take place.

Directions: Warwick Castle is in Warwick , two miles from junction 15 off the M40. It is signposted from this junction. Warwick train station is about a mile from the castle. Click here for an interactive map centred on Warwick Castle.

Access: Most of the interior of the castle is not accessible to wheelchair users. Access in the grounds and gardens, the gift shop and restaurant is good. Adapted toilet facilities are available.

Contact:

telephone: 0871 265 2000

for school bookings: 0871 222 2772

web site: http://www.warwick-castle.com/

e-mail: customer.information@warwick-castle.com

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