Is Warwick Castle & Belheim Palace worth the trip from London?

I don't have experience at either site yet, so I cannot comment on their worth, but I may as well kick off the responses. 1. Blenheim Palace? (just confirming if it was a typo) 2. How long will you be in Great Britain? 3. Do you mean to do these as day trips from London or en route to other places? 4. Are you going elsewhere (where? dates?)or staying in London the whole time? 5. Preferred method of travel? Train, bus or car? You'll get very detailed advice from the truly experienced ones if you give them a few details. As for myself, I am desperate to get back to the UK to see Blenheim just based on previous responses I've read on these boards.
Happy travels!

Matt had very good questions. Give more information and we may be able to help.

Having been to both (and before you answer Matt's questions), I would say a hearty "yes" to Blenheim Palace and (I am probably in the minority) a qualified "no" to Warwick Castle unless you have children with you. We really enjoyed Blenheim and nearby Woodstock; Warwick, on the other hand, felt like a Disneyland-style castle...gory dungeon, mannequins, carnival-like atmosphere. We like "authentic" castles - this year we visited Leeds Castle in Kent and really enjoyed it.

I have also been to both and enjoyed both locations. It's all in what you are looking for. I happened to be at Warwick one time over New Years and while there was a celebration of sorts going on they also had an ice skating rink set up and it was charming. I was also there a few summers ago and while it was definitely 'touristy', it was still fun. You can still go into the rooms and see the valley below from a high point of the castle. I also visit Ann Hathaway's house when I am in the area, so for me that makes it worth the drive.

.We really enjoyed Warwick. Yes, it's "tarted up," but it gives you a feeling for what life in one of those castles might have been seven hundred years ago. We enjoyed combining a visit there with a visit to nearby Kenilworth Castle, where you see a beautiful ruin of another important castle.

I think Blenheim Palace is well worth it, it's so beautiful and the grounds are fantastic. Warwick Castle is nice, but I think Blenheim is much better.

Never been to Warwick - but just went to Blenheim - YES - it was worth it - it rained as we were heading outside so we didn't see much of the gardens - but we will be going back - right now you can get a year membership card for the purchase of your one day ticket -
also - eat in the cafe downstairs by the Indian room - I cannot recall the name of the cafe - but please order the steak - you won't be sorry!!!

In answer to Matt's questions:
We were planning on taking the train from London to Warwick and stay at a hotel there for 2-3 days, see the castle one day and then take a bus or train down to Woodstock to see Blenhein Palace. Also we thought about hitting Iron Bridge gorge and then heading to Scotland by train. Is Iron Bridge a full days activity or is some thing that you just do in 3-4 hrs? I appreciate all your answers and find this very helpful since this may be the only time I will be able to visit England.

Blenheim is definitely worth a visit. We liked Warwick too, but it was the very first castle we ever visited in England - it was nice to see it set up as it would have been. We spent about 4 hours at Iron Bridge and thought we could have spent more time there, but that's typically the case in so many things - you get a taste of it.

Blenheim palace is beautiful. There is lots to explore and the town of Woodstock is lovely. The house tour only visits a few rooms, so if we did it again, we'd take the tour throught the rooms, then return to walk through at our own slow pace. "The Untold Story" is truly awful. A group moves through 6-7 rooms, where a lady's maid tells a disjointed story of the families that have lived at Blenheim. It was claustrophobic. The grounds are extensive and beautiful. I also vouch for the cafe below the palace - fabulous.

Donald , will you have a car? If you do and see Blenheim , you might consider tacking on a short but intimate spot upon leaving . Certainly check your map , but as you leave the grounds through the rear exit turn right onto the A4095 headed south . A short distance , perhaps a quarter mile on the left turn on to " the green " a tiny lane that wends its way up to St. Martin's church , Bladon . There you will find the grave of Sir Winston Churchill and other members of the Spencer-Churchill family . Among them is his American cousin , Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan . Do a little research before you go ,the stories come alive !! Blenheim of course is magnificent!!