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You know those days out where you have every intention of soaking up all the history, ticking off every attraction, and getting the perfect family photo… but somehow, the day just runs away with you? Well, that was exactly what happened when we went to Warwick Castle last summer.

I had visions of strolling through grand castle halls, soaking up medieval history, and maybe even learning something educational along the way. The reality? We got completely sidetracked by jousting, birds of prey, and running around like headless chickens in a maze. And honestly? It was brilliant!

A photo I took as we walked across the bridge into the castle grounds

So, picture this: we arrive at Warwick Castle with our little boy (who was two at the time), my niece (four), my parents, and my partner. The sun was shining, we were all buzzing for a fun day out, and we’d packed enough snacks to feed a small army (because, let’s be real, snacks are the secret to keeping kids happy).

The plan was simple—start with a gentle wander, maybe a history tour, a nice picnic, and then explore the castle. Easy, right?

Well, that all went out the window within minutes.

Step One: Get Completely Lost in the Maze

Before we even made it through the main grounds, the Horrible Histories Maze lured us in. And I mean lured—the kids spotted it, sprinted ahead, and that was it. No turning back.

They LOVED IT. The giggling, the shrieking, the frantic dashes down the wrong paths and exploring all of the obstacles—it was like a medieval version of The Crystal Maze (except the prize at the end was just finding the exit). Meanwhile, my dad—our resident history geek—was stopping at every little fact board, reading them aloud like he was leading a school trip.

And I have to admit, it was actually really cool. Did you know medieval folk used urine to wash their clothes? No? Neither did I, but thanks to the maze, I’ll never forget it.

A Playground Fit for a Knight

By the time we finally emerged, victorious and slightly sweaty, we spotted the Zog adventure playground.

Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to convince a two-year-old and a four-year-old that we should skip the playground and go look at some ancient artefacts instead, but let me tell you—it’s a losing battle. So, off to the playground we went.

It was brilliant! Castle-themed climbing frames, slides, tunnels— the kids ran wild. My partner and I took turns “supervising” (read: sitting down for a breather), and my mum had a rare five minutes of peace. Everyone was winning.

The Ultimate Picnic Spot (With Bonus Snacks)

Eventually, we managed to drag the kids away under the promise of food (classic parenting move). We found a gorgeous picnic spot right in the castle grounds, and it was perfect.

We’d packed sandwiches, fruit, and enough crisps to fuel an entire scout group, but we also couldn’t resist picking up some extra treats from the food stalls. (You know, just to “top up” our already overflowing picnic).

💡Top tip! Bring a blanket! There are loads of grassy areas to sit down, soak up the views, and attempt to eat a sandwich without a wasp trying to join in.

Jousting: The Unexpected Favourite

After lunch, we wandered down to watch the jousting—and WOW.

I didn’t know what to expect, but let me tell you, it was like stepping onto the set of A Knight’s Tale. The knights were SO into it—charging at each other on horseback, clashing swords, and riling up the crowd. The audience was cheering like mad, and before I knew it, I was shouting things like “GO ON, SIR RICHARD” as if my life depended on it.

Honestly, it was epic. If you’ve never seen live jousting before, you have to.

⚠️ Heads up: The seating is mostly standing or sitting on stone steps. If you’ve got little ones or need a comfier spot, get there early or bring something to sit on.

The Birds of Prey Show (Or, The Time a Bird Nearly Stole My Son’s Hat)

After the jousting, we made our way to the birds of prey show, and if I thought the jousting was intense, this was another level.

We sat right at the front, and within minutes, these huge, majestic birds were soaring right over our heads. At one point, one of them swooped so low that its wing actually brushed my son’s head. Did he flinch? Nope. He loved it!

💡Top tip! The guests who had clearly been before were all sat further back up the hill, cameras poised, because that’s where the birds fly directly towards you before swooping up at the last second. Their photos must have been insane!

The One Thing We Didn’t Do…

After all that excitement, we suddenly realised something.

We’d done the maze. We’d done the playground. We’d done jousting, birds of prey, a picnic, and snacks. But you know what we hadn’t done?

Gone inside the actual castle…

Yep. The whole reason Warwick Castle exists? We completely forgot.

To be fair, I don’t think the kids would have appreciated it just yet anyway—they were having way too much fun running wild outdoors—but it just means we have the perfect excuse to go back when they’re a little older!

Thinking of Visiting? Here’s What You Need to Know:

Right now, there are some amazing discounts available:

✔️ 40% off for local residents – If you live in certain postcodes, you can grab an incredible discount on tickets!
✔️ Second day free when booking an overnight stay.
✔️ More exclusive discounts – Offers change all the time, so it’s always worth checking before you book!

👉 Looking for an easy way to find all the best discounts in one place? Instead of hunting through the Warwick Castle website, we’ve put together a full list of the current best deals—so you can see at a glance which one saves you the most money.- Sometimes they give us exclusive discounts for Warwick Castle too so worth checking back regularly!

🔗 Find the best Warwick Castle deal for you here!

Final Thoughts: Is Warwick Castle Worth It?

YES. A million times, YES.

Whether you’re a history buff, a parent looking for a fun-packed day out, or just someone who enjoys a stunning, scenic place to explore, Warwick Castle is incredible.

We had the best time, and I already know we’ll be back—next time, hopefully for an overnight stay in the Knight’s Village to get the full medieval experience.

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We Took the Kids to Warwick Castle… And Forgot to Go Inside the Castle!