We are planning a trip in June of 2024. Already putting an itinerary together because I'm excited to have my grown grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law going for the first time. We do hope to stay in Warwick. I was planning to go to Warwick Castle (my husband and I have been there before), but I'm reading how terribly crowded Warwick is now - so I'm thinking of being in the town of Warwick and then driving to see Kenilworth Castle. What are your opinions on this? Thanks so much.
Posted by
UK
501 posts
Warwick Castle remains an amazing building but it is definitely great for kids - loads of activities and while busy, it’s still a good family day out. However, if your grandkids are actually adults, then I guess it depends what you feel about stuff like that. People have described it as being a bit of a theme park. That’s unfair, because it’s a properly impressive castle, but it’s definitely more of an overt tourist attraction than Kenilworth.
Kenilworth Castle is very different. It’s a ruin although with substantial walls to climb on and the central Elizabethan tower is intact, with a restored knot garden. However, it only takes a couple of hours to see Kenilworth Castle so you could easily see both in one day.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
1828 posts
My preference is Kenilworth as I find Warwick commercialised, busy, dummed down...as well as being very expensive. Kennilworth has a lot of history attached to it. It belonged to Robert Dudley, favourite of Elizabeth I and he nearly bankrupt himself refurbishing the castle for a visit by Elizabeth in the hope she might marry him...
When in Warwick do go into St Mary's Church and the Beauchamp Chapel with the splendid tombs from the castle.
Posted by
London
358 posts
Whilst it has turned into a theme park, Warwick is still a superb castle to visit
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
I finally managed to go into Warwick castle last year after nearly getting inside in 1975 (long and not very interesting story). It has always been very busy but the crowds thin out from 3pm (departure of coach & school parties mainly) and make visiting the interior parts much better. The falconry display was good for a large event and they hung around to answer questions. Ditto the jousting. The dungeon is the standard Merlin theme park attraction & can be skipped unless particularly interested. There are several guided tours; the contents overlap but each has its own focus.