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Whether you are 4 or 40 you are going to enjoy everything that Warwick Castle can offer. Our day was made even more enjoyable by taking the train and removing the headache of car parks, pay and display and unforeseen traffic.
We took the Chiltern Railways 10.07am train from Haddenham & Thame and arrived at Warwick before 11.00am. The journey was a pleasure, even with four-year-old triplets. There was no “are we nearly there yet?” because there’s so much to see on the train. The Railway staff were helpful and pleasant. The train driver gave a detailed description of each of the stops along the way and even waved us off personally, wishing us an enjoyable day. Warwick Castle is a clearly signposted 12-minute walk from the station.
Once you get into the castle grounds, there is much to see and do. You’ll need your walking shoes to get round it all but it’s well worth the effort. Climbing the stairs to the various turrets was very exciting. You are guided effortlessly from one part of the castle to the next, from dungeons to party halls (with lavishly decorated rooms and life like wax works) and then the ghost turret; sadly we had to decline this last bit as it is not recommended for the under 8’s.
The castle itself was beautifully maintained and the attention to detail was a delight to discover - much more than we were expecting. There were strategically placed staff dotted around who made us feel extremely welcome and were very personable. There was definitely an overriding feeling of welcome in the air; you were in no way ushered quickly and quietly on to the next room as if they didn’t want you there in the first place.
The gardens are stunning, great for the young ones to explore, and the snack bars are just where you would want them! There is also a proper sit down restaurant that offered a full roast dinner as well as a kid’s menu. We opted for the freshly barbequed beef burgers which we enjoyed on one of the lawns on which you are allowed to picnic freely. All five of us partook of a different ice cream!
Enjoyment to me has often been measured as reality against expectations, which might explain why I have not made the effort before. On reflection, a train journey courtesy of Chiltern Railways and a great fun day at Warwick Castle could make it into my top 5 of 2008!
Reviewed by Tim May
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