Nine tips for visiting Warwick Castle
Whether you’re a toddler looking forward to dressing up like a princess, a history fan wanting to discover one of England’s most significant fortresses, a fan of oversized catapults and birds of prey, or a mix of all the above, visiting Warwick Castle makes a fantastic day out.
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In fact, as I rediscovered on our trip at the weekend, there is so much you could do that it’s worth thinking ahead to make the most of it – especially as entrance isn’t cheap so you don’t want to waste too long working it out on the day. So here are my top Warwick Castle tips for visiting with kids.
To find out more about what’s changed at Warwick Castle over the years, check out what we thought of the Warwick Castle Zog trail
1. Plan your day
If you do nothing else, try to check out the activities in advance or as soon as possible after you arrive – there are big boards at the entrance giving times and details.
Even on a relatively quiet and cold day in February, several options (eg the birds of prey show and the kids’ tour of the castle) were on at the same time. In the peak summer months, you simply can’t do it all so decide what’s most important.
Plus there are usually new attractions added at Warwick Castle throughout the year, as well as extra activities and themed events during the school holidays. Which means that even if you’ve been before, there’s almost certainly something new to discover.
Alternatively, make a short break and stay overnight – we went back and checked into the Warwick Castle Lodges in the Knights Village to have as much time as possible
2. Would-be princesses need to get in early
The storytelling and dressing up in the Princess Tower runs at specific times throughout the day, but space is limited so if anyone’s heart is set on this, get your ticket as early as possible.
It’s free, so simply turn up, flag down a princess and you’ll get a token and a time to come back – one of my daughter’s favourite things to do at Warwick Castle for kids as a toddler.
3. It’s more buggy-friendly than you’d think
Although buggies and pushchairs can’t be taken into the main rooms of the castle, there’s buggy parking nearby and the paths are very easy to navigate otherwise.
There’s also a buggy and wheelchair guide available if you ask staff.
4. Pick your toilets
There are toilets and baby changing in the first courtyard, but the toilets by the Undercroft restaurant are particularly well set up if you’ve got kids.
There’s unisex babychanging, a baby feeding room and step stools by the sinks – something so simple and cheap (the same Ikea ones we have at home) yet hardly anyone does it!
Nice work, Warwick Castle toilets!
5. Check the age recommendations
The Dungeon is for over-10s only (and adults might well be left shaking), while the kids’ tour of the castle is recommended for primary school age so it’s worth looking at what’s going to suit your family when you visit Warwick Castle.
There’s also a playground near the main entrance for under-12s (closed during winter months) but which has a distinct adventure element which might suit older children better.
6. Do consider the battlement climb
Warning signs at the entrance to the stairs leading up to the battlements remind you there are over 500 steps. They’re also twisty stone spiral staircases.
But you don’t have to climb all 500 in one go, there are options to head back down to the ground at intervals if you don’t fancy the entire walk and you don’t have to do it quickly.
However, be ready to carry toddlers and expect aching muscles the following day. I still think the views are worth it…
7. Keep an eye on the extras
Tickets aren’t cheap and you pay extra for parking, Dungeon entrance, food (though there are picnic areas), toy swords… It’s worth checking for discounts online as there are regular 2-for-1 deals.
You can also use Tesco Clubcard vouchers, Nectar Points and English Heritage members get discounts too
If you buy tickets online and it rains for one hour or more during the visit, you’re guaranteed a free return visit which needs to be claimed within 60 days.
8. Don’t leave without a stamp
If you want to go out of the castle – for example to one of the restaurants, back to the car park etc – and return on the same day, you need a stamp from the attendant on the turnstiles.
Your ticket alone will not let you back in again…
9. Spot the Lost Child Point
The castle and its grounds are pretty sprawling and there are plenty of twisty corridors for kids to get lost in.
There’s also a Lost Child Point in the central courtyard (not far from the dungeon) so if you do get separated, tell staff and it should be easy to reunite you there.
Read more tips for visiting Warwick Castle with kids in my reviews of our days there – discovering Warwick Castle with a toddler, staying at Warwick Castle in the Knights Village and visiting Warwick Castle at Christmas.
**First published 2015, updated 2024**
PIN FOR LATER: WARWICK CASTLE TIPS
Disclosure: My visit was courtesy of the castle. All Warwick Castle tips and opinions are my own and based on my own experience.
Main image courtesy of Warwick Castle. All other images copyright MummyTravels
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Great tips Cathy, honestly, I would never think of the toilets but you’re so right! And the fact that you can never just factor in the entrance price – as they always make you go through the shops. Another one to add to my growing list of attractions!
Thanks! Potty training has rewired my brain so I now *always* think of the toilets 🙂
Great post Cathy – I went on a school trip to Warwick Castle many years ago and this made me really nostalgic. Really want to take my little ones there now too – will add it to my already rather long ‘places to go’ list!
Thanks! I hadn’t been for ages either but remembered loving it even before they’d introduced a lot of the activities and attractions – even at 2 1/2 it’s a winner, and I’m betting we’ll be going back.
I have been meaning to take the kids here for years and heard generally very good things about it, but been a bit put off by the price. It sounds like we should go soon though – or the kids may be too old!!
The price is definitely high enough that you want to guarantee a good day out but we had a great time (review coming…) And there’s a good range of activities for different ages plus the history so you’ve a few years I’d think!