Everything you need to know about visiting Warwick Castle with your kids
Zoe Craig
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Warwick Castle offers so much to visitors of all ages. We went along with a Zog lover and a Horrible Histories fan to find out everything you need to know about visiting this brilliant attraction.
Warwick Castle is a magical place to visit, with so many different attractions within it, meaning there's something at Warwick Castle to suit kids of all ages.
My family visited Warwick Castle with two kids (aged 9 and 5) who both had an absolutely brilliant time.
Here's everything you need to know about taking your family to Warwick Castle.
1. Zog activities at Warwick Castle (best for under 10s)
If anyone in your house is a Zog fan, then Warwick Castle is the place to be this summer. As well as the brilliant, interactive activity trail (Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star), there’s the Zog adventure playground (up to age 10) AND a Zog Live Show, with puppets, interactive routines and fun special effects in the Woodland Theatre.
My daughter (aged 5) LOVED completing all the challenges on the Zog Quest, and getting her stamps in the Zog passport, to become a fully fledged dragon! And the new Zog Playland playground was a real hit; she particularly liked the slides.
I thought the attention to detail in the playground was brilliant, from the lion in his chilly cave to the dragon medicines, flameproof plasters and the wing repair kits in the Market. The ample seating provision (in the shade!) and the ice cream stall within the Zog Playland are also brilliant touches.
2. Horrible Histories fun at Warwick Castle (for kids aged 4 and up)
There are real treats at Warwick Castle for Horrible Histories fans this summer too.
Our whole family enjoyed the hilarious, witty Horrible Histories: Wicked Warwick show in the Woodland Theatre. Two fabulous actors took us on an informative, musical, magical and very silly tour through 1000 years of Warwick’s history, with clever parodies, so many costumes, and even a Masked Singer (spoiler alert!) riffing on Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance about wanting a male heir... Any ideas who that could be?
The Horrible Histories Maze was also a really big hit with my 9-year-old son. He really enjoyed getting ‘lost in time’ and filling his Time Passport with stamps from all the different eras. I loved reading all the remarkable historical facts around the maze.
Top tip: don’t forget to go to the nearby loos before you enter the Horrible Histories Maze!
Age guidance: If you have kids of different ages, it might be a good idea to split up, with the younger visitors going to Zog’s Playland, so older kids can take their time and get more out of the Horrible Histories Maze.
3. Castle fans (of all ages!)
There’s also lots to enjoy for families who are interested in visiting castles and learning their history. We all loved the challenge of climbing more than 500 steps up to the top of the spectacular Guy's Tower and walking along the ramparts.
Walking the original fortifications of the Conqueror’s Fortress and seeing the panoramic view from that part of Warwick Castle was fascinating too.
4. The Time Tower at Warwick Castle (over 5s)
The expertly designed multi-media display of Warwick’s 1100-year history across three rooms in the Time Tower really engaged my son.
Age guidance: Next time we go to Warwick Castle, we'll split up and take my daughter to the storytelling in the nearby Princess Tower (for 3-8 year olds) while my son enjoys the Time Tower, as my daughter found the visual effects, music and darkness in the Time Tower a bit scary.
5. Open-air entertainment at Warwick Castle
As well as the Zog and Horrible Histories shows, there are other live shows to see at Warwick Castle. We all loved seeing all the beautiful birds of prey that made up the Falconer's Quest show at the riverside arena.
Next time we visit, we’re looking forward to catching the Wars of the Roses Live too!
In fact, there’s so much to see and do at Warwick Castle, it’s not possible to see it all in one day! I can really understand the appeal of extending your visit with a stay in the Knight's Village, or staying in a Medieval Glamping Tent!
6. Warwick Castle: Highly recommended!
Overall, we loved all the different attractions at Warwick Castle, and found so much to entertain, educate and engage our kids.
What's great about Warwick Castle is: there’s so much space. Even with lots of summer visitors, it really doesn't feel crowded. We rarely queued (only for entry and to go up the ramparts). The maps and signage are all really clear. Walking around the grounds between the brilliant attractions was just a joy. Highly recommended!
Pro tips: How to get the most out of your visit to Warwick Castle with your family
What to wear: much of Warwick Castle is outdoors, so you'll need raincoats and / or sun hats, depending on the weather. The gift shops sell ponchos and suncream if you forget.
Comfy shoes: a must-have; you'll be getting a fair few steps in!
Eateries: there are lots of places to buy and eat all kinds of food around the castle. The Undercroft Café offers a range of hot and cold snacks, which you can 'eat in' or takeaway.
Picnics: we took our own sandwiches and enjoyed them sitting at a picnic bench. There are loads of lovely picnic benches AND open spaces where you can enjoy your own food around the grounds.
Toilets: there are plenty of toilets dotted around the Castle and the grounds. Some are portaloo-style, which can be bit of a squash if you're taking a child in with you. There are larger, accessible loos in the Stables Courtyard and the Main House.
Accessibility: If you're taking a buggy or wheelchair, there ARE a lot of steps at Warwick Castle. BUT there's also plenty of places that are step-free too. The Great Hall and State Rooms and the lower levels of the Royal Weekend Party attraction are accessible via a wheelchair lift. The Stables and Courtyard shops are fully accessible to wheelchair users, as are the Conservatory Tea House and all external shops and food kiosks.
Zoe Craig and her family attended Warwick Castle on a press invite in July 2023.
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