4 June ’05, Saturday. Warwick Castle
After a cloudy day driving, we pulled into Warwick yesterday about 4 in the afternoon. Never having been here, we were in a little bewilderment in the “campground site” book. It said that during “race day” you would “have restricted access”… Race days ?? Well, it seems that this campground is located in the center grounds of a horse racing track, and during race times, you have to wait to either get in or out. As it was, it wasn’t race day and we made out just fine. Fact is, it was a campground that was located within easy walking to just about anything of importance in the area. The city of Warwick was just about totally destroyed in 1694 because of a fire, but fortunately, there are still some very fine medieval guild buildings that survived. Warwick not only has a fine collection of the gild buildings, there is the Doll Museum from 1573, the really beautiful Lord Leycester Hospital, Beauchamp Chapel, and of course the “splendid” (as the British would say) Warwick Castle. Being an medieval fortress, the Normans rebuilt it and made a fortified castle of it in the 14th century. Then in the 17th century the Greville family transformed it into a great country house. It was the residence for the Earls of Warwick and his family. This “Castle” is really set up for the visiting tourist, and maximizes the opportunity to gain $$$ from them. Now saying that, I feel it was still a bargain. It was restored beautifully with the help from Madame Tussaud’s. Not only was the work carried out on the structures, it was also well documented with those who lived there by the Tussaud’s. Their creations in wax were outstanding. They really did come to life. Then there were the hired medieval guards, the ladies of the house and their ladies in waiting, the knights, and even a jester to entertain us. We were invited to a “Royal Weekend Party” with the Prince of Wale’s from 1898 as our host (thanks to Madame Tussaud), and with special guest Winston Churchill (in his late teen’s). We also visited the private rooms of all the family, the Great Hall and State Room, The Mill and Engine House and, and… Overall, we spent over 5 hours on the grounds. We were also entertained by a “court action” against “William The Conquer”, and then outside for a flying display of “Birds of Prey”. Their handler treated us to a wonderful show with such birds as eagles, vultures, and hawks. I don’t know how many acres there were for the “grounds”, but they were all magnificent. Louise has really gotten into the huge trees, and they were well represented here. It is amazing, but there are more really large trees here in Europe and Great Britain, but as far a “forests”, they have very few. Tomorrow…Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon…
After a cloudy day driving, we pulled into Warwick yesterday about 4 in the afternoon. Never having been here, we were in a little bewilderment in the “campground site” book. It said that during “race day” you would “have restricted access”… Race days ?? Well, it seems that this campground is located in the center grounds of a horse racing track, and during race times, you have to wait to either get in or out. As it was, it wasn’t race day and we made out just fine. Fact is, it was a campground that was located within easy walking to just about anything of importance in the area. The city of Warwick was just about totally destroyed in 1694 because of a fire, but fortunately, there are still some very fine medieval guild buildings that survived. Warwick not only has a fine collection of the gild buildings, there is the Doll Museum from 1573, the really beautiful Lord Leycester Hospital, Beauchamp Chapel, and of course the “splendid” (as the British would say) Warwick Castle. Being an medieval fortress, the Normans rebuilt it and made a fortified castle of it in the 14th century. Then in the 17th century the Greville family transformed it into a great country house. It was the residence for the Earls of Warwick and his family. This “Castle” is really set up for the visiting tourist, and maximizes the opportunity to gain $$$ from them. Now saying that, I feel it was still a bargain. It was restored beautifully with the help from Madame Tussaud’s. Not only was the work carried out on the structures, it was also well documented with those who lived there by the Tussaud’s. Their creations in wax were outstanding. They really did come to life. Then there were the hired medieval guards, the ladies of the house and their ladies in waiting, the knights, and even a jester to entertain us. We were invited to a “Royal Weekend Party” with the Prince of Wale’s from 1898 as our host (thanks to Madame Tussaud), and with special guest Winston Churchill (in his late teen’s). We also visited the private rooms of all the family, the Great Hall and State Room, The Mill and Engine House and, and… Overall, we spent over 5 hours on the grounds. We were also entertained by a “court action” against “William The Conquer”, and then outside for a flying display of “Birds of Prey”. Their handler treated us to a wonderful show with such birds as eagles, vultures, and hawks. I don’t know how many acres there were for the “grounds”, but they were all magnificent. Louise has really gotten into the huge trees, and they were well represented here. It is amazing, but there are more really large trees here in Europe and Great Britain, but as far a “forests”, they have very few. Tomorrow…Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon…