Family Day Out at Warwick Castle – including The Falconer’s Quest live show*

Warwick Castle is one of our favourite destinations for a family day out. It’s not exactly on our doorstep (it takes about 1.5 hours to get there from our home in Cheshire) but is always worth the journey. So when we heard the castle had a new live show, we had the perfect excuse to arrange a trip with our son Ewan, nine, and nephew Fin, 13. The new attraction, The Falconer’s Quest, is the UK’s largest birds of prey show, with more than 70 birds taking to the sky.  Here’s what we thought of the show and the many other activities to be enjoyed at the castle…

Our verdict

Warwick Castle is about 90 miles by car from our home in Nantwich, so we set off early to make sure we had plenty of time to make the most of our visit.

We arrived mid-morning and parked in the castle’s Stratford Road car park, a short walk from the main castle entrance.

Once through the turnstiles we picked up a copy of a map and a list of show times. There were two options for The Falconer’s Quest, 12.30pm or 3.30pm, and we settled on the latter.

There was no need to book for this show, so when the time came we arrived about half an hour early to make sure we had a good spot. And this paid off because we managed to get a front seat on the rows of benches set up on the grass bank next to the River Avon, which runs through the grounds.

By the time the show was due to start, the benches were filled, while other spectators found places to sit on the grass.

I must confess I didn’t have high hopes for the show because I’d seen other birds of prey displays over the years and wondered if this would be any different.

But within minutes I was eating my words when the action literally took off!

The show centres on the character of a falconer who embarks on a quest to find the finest birds of prey to bring to Warwick Castle.

But the real stars are the incredible birds that take to the sky, displaying their awesome acrobatic skills.

Before the show started we were warned to remain seated – and as the birds skimmed what seemed like millimetres from our heads, it was definitely worth following this advice.

These stars included red kites, an Andean condor with an impressive 10ft wingspan and a Steller’s sea eagle – the heaviest eagle in the world.

The riveting show took our breath away and I can thoroughly recommend it.

During our visit we also got ‘lost in time’ in the castle’s Horrible Histories Maze, which was great fun. Here we explored time periods based on the popular children’s books and TV series, including ‘Vicious Vikings’ and ‘Measly Middle Ages’.

Another highlight was the Grisly Deaths and Executions tour, in which Rachel, a member of the castle’s history team, took us on a tour of the Great Hall. Along the way she shared dark and spooky tales, which we absolutely lapped up.

Our day also included the Time Tower, the Princess Tower, and exploring the towers, battlements and gaol, as well as the stunning Peacock Garden.

You’re welcome to bring a picnic, but we treated ourselves to the all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta and salad buffet in the Undercroft Restaurant.

With its combination of history, action, excitement and beauty, there’s tonnes to see and do for all ages and interests at this Midlands attraction.

About Warwick Castle

The history of the castle stretches back more than 11 centuries to a Saxon fortification used by Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great.

The first castle to appear on the site was a wooden motte and bailey construction in 1068, which was gradually rebuilt in stone in the middle ages.

Warwick Castle remained under the stewardship of the Earls of Warwick and later the Greville family as a private home until 1978. It was then taken over by The Tussauds Group, which later became Merlin Entertainments Group, and remains under their guardianship today.

The attraction offers an action-packed day out for all the family, blending jaw-dropping history, magic, myth and adventure.

Where is it?

• Warwick Castle is at Warwick in Warwickshire (the postcode for standard parking is CV34 6AH)
• Parking charges apply, ranging from £6 to £10. However, Warwick Annual Pass and Premium Merlin Annual Pass holders receive free parking in the Stratford Road car park, subject to availability
• If travelling by rail, Warwick Station is about one mile from the castle

How much is it?

Tickets for one-day castle entry start from £19 per person when booked online or from £28 on the day

• Entry to the castle and dungeon starts from £24 (online) and £33 (on the day)
• A Warwick Castle annual pass starts from £35 per person
• Short breaks start from £43 per person, including two days’ entry to the castle, an overnight stay in a woodland lodge or glamping tent, breakfast and parking
• The castle also offers a Rainy Day Guarantee when tickets are pre-booked online or by phone (terms and conditions apply)
• Visit the website to find out more about ticket options

When is it open?

The castle is open daily from 10am during the season. Closing times vary by date or event (check the website for details).

Things to note:

• A copy of Warwick Castle’s accessibility leaflet can be downloaded from the website in advance or collected on arrival
• The castle was built as a medieval fortress and has a number of steps, narrow passageways and low doorways that can present a challenge to guests with reduced mobility
• Visitors who require further assistance during their visit are advised to speak to a member of the castle team
• Anyone with queries about accessibility should call 01926 495421 or email: information@warwick-castle.com
• All shows take place outside and are fully accessible, and it’s recommended to arrive 5-10 minutes before the start time to secure a good view

Review by: Colette Warbrook            

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* We were provided with free entry passes to Warwick Castle in return for a review. All opinions are our own.