Warwick Castle

We stayed in Warwick on our way back from picking up the new car--it is such a lovely little town! Richard & I had no idea it was so nice!

The Lord Leycester Hospital, a home for retired soldiers, in former Guildhall buildings dating back to the 14th century. It's partially a visitors centre and tea room, but there are also still flats where ex-servicemen and their wives live!

St Mary's

Warwick Castle--Great Hall

Entrance to Warwick Castle

The oldest bit of the castle dates back to 914, but it was officially commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1068.

They have a real working trebuchet, with shows twice a day where they fling a huge flaming ball up 150 meters in the air!

This part of the castle was converted into a stately home in the 17th century by the Greville family (Earls of Warwick). The 8th Earl sold it to Tussauds Group (the company that runs Madame Tussaud's) in 1978--as sad as it is that it didn't stay in the family like Chatsworth, I've got to admit that Tussauds has done a good job. 

Clock that once belonged to Marie Antoinette

The bed that Queen Anne died in (she didn't die at Warwick, it's just the bed)

I loved this ladies' sitting room

The library

The woodwork in this bedroom is so elaborate & crazy

We did a walk around the towers and castle walls--the stairwells were very tight & steep, but the views made it worthwhile

The drains at the top of the towers were so scary!

View from the tower--I love the Tudor architecture!