Midsummer Celebrations at Warwick Castle
Today is midsummer’s day, so what better way to mark the occasion than a trip to the ultimate Tudor solstice celebration at historic Warwick Castle?
The month-long event will evoke pageants and celebrations of the Elizabethan era and includes a captivating horseback production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Marking the 450th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth I’s visit to Warwick Castle, highlights of the celebration include a stunning equestrian theatrical retelling of Shakespeare’s farcical play.
As well as the breathtaking drama on horseback, the carnival also features fire-breathers, jugglers, a knight’s school, bowman demonstrations and crafting, Elizabethan games and the chance to have a go at axe-throwing, jousting and archery.
Historical figures including Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth I roam the grounds, chatting to visitors and taking part in al fresco skits.
We were lucky enough to visit today and were impressed with the range of activities and entertainment on show. The fact that the sun was shining and ice creams were on sale was certainly a bonus!
The hit for young children this summer will certainly be the immersive outdoor show Zog Live, and the recently unveiled Zog Playland. There’s also a Zog & the Quest for the Golden Star interactive trail.
The Horrible Histories maze was the draw for us, and kept us lost and laughing for well over half an hour as we fumbled around learning about British history while we collected stamps on another interactive trail.
The Falconer’s Quest – the UK’s largest birds of prey show – really is a sight to be seen. Narrated with a charming fairy tale, the show takes place two or three times each day, with the audience filling the viewing hill while birds fill the skies.
The grounds at Warwick Castle are beautiful, and well worth roaming, there’s even a resident peacock in his own manicured garden. Feeling fit, we embarked on the 500 step climb and walk up the old towers and round the parapet which offers dazzling views across Warwickshire.
The only slight disappointment of the day was the Princess Tower show which promises an interactive opportunity for kids to solves riddles and free a princess. In fact it’s just around 30 people packed into a tiny room and asked a couple of questions. Perhaps we expected too much, but with covid still very much about it felt far too close for comfort. There were a lot of hot parents and disappointed children descending the stairs after our anti-climactic experience.
But those ten minutes were the only in the day when we weren’t smiling or laughing, and as any parent can testify – a day without drama is a rarely achieved success on a family excursion!
Warwick Castle’s 64 acres offer plenty of space to chill out during the day, and there are plenty of food stalls if you don’t fancy packing a picnic, much more reasonably priced than at most family The castle’s interiors, which feature a ceremonial sword presented to Queen Elizabeth II during her visit in 1996, plus her signature in the visitor book. There is also a waxwork of our current Queen too.
- Warwick Castle: Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 6AH, open from 10am daily. The Midsummer Carnival runs from 11th June to 10th July, 2022. Day tickets from £29 (when booked in advanced) – inclusive of Midsummer Carnival*, Zog Live Show, Zog Playland, Zog & the Quest for the Golden Star interactive trail, The Falconer’s Quest and more. Have-a-go archery, axe throwing and jousting, as well as The Castle Dungeon are all payable separately.
