Glamping fun where you feel like king of the castle
IT’S easy to get caught up in the thrilling adventures of knights in shining armour and princesses with flowing velvet gowns as you walk around the historic ramparts of Warwick Castle.
And while the stunning buildings and gardens are magnificent, you can go one step further if you really want to immerse yourself in medieval times.
The Knight’s Village offers the chance to stay over in the grounds of the castle, tucked in a woodland glade from the hordes of visitors but just five minutes walk from the main attraction.
There are woodland and knight’s lodges as well as luxury glamping tents - the newest of which for 2018 are the king’s tents located on the Avenue of Kings.
The medieval glamping tents are designed to give people all the fun of camping but with a touch of luxury. This is ramped up in the new king’s tents.
These offer a more exclusive and luxurious sleepover with theming that absolutely transports you back in time.
Each tent has a beautiful fourposter bed and two single beds, adorned with opulent blankets and cushions.
Lighting is from faux candelabras and there are also small floor lights dotted around the edge of the tent, while the crest above the bed can also be lit up at night.
To make you feel even more regal, there are two thrones and a chessboard to keep you entertained.
All the tents have wooden floors, power sockets, free WiFi, a mirror and a large oak storage chest.
Two days’ entrance to the castle is included.
There are shower and toilet blocks located centrally as well as a visitor centre with stocks of those essential items you may have forgotten like knight outfits, swords, bows and arrows, oh and toothpaste.
It also houses the banquet hall where your imagination can really take over.
It’s all high ceilings and oak beams, with coats of arms adorning the walls and light provided by pretend candles in cartwheelshaped formations dangling from the roof.
In the morning it’s all hustle and bustle as people fuel up for the day with a tremendous breakfast buffet of good English fare like bacon, sausages and eggs, as well as pancakes and syrup, hash browns, croissants and other pastries.
But the evening is when the fun really gets going.
For an extra cost you can pay for a three-course dinner, served family style on big platters. There’s roast chicken, roast potatoes, copious amounts of veg, Yorkshire puddings and lashings of gravy.
Best of all though is the appearance of two knights to regale the diners with their tales of derring do, talk about their armour and argue over who has the best weapon - we were on the side of the knight with the axe, although the sword was mighty cool as well.
It’s thrilling for all the would-be knights in the audience - and I’m not just referring to the kids.
At the end they get to meet the duo and feel the weight of their weapons, as well as have their photographs taken.
The Avenue of Kings runs alongside the front edge of the village, with the tents looking out across a wide expanse of green field parallel to the River Avon.
It’s all fenced off and completely private, only being accessible by those staying at the village, meaning you can happily sit and relax outside your tent while the kids run off to play.
The great thing about staying at the Knight’s Village is that you get two days entry into what is widely accepted to be England’s finest medieval castle.
And it’s definitely worth it as there is just so much to do and see. Its history reaches back almost 11 centuries and more than £6million has been spent in the last 10 years alone on restoration.
Each overnight stay (eg one night) includes two days’ entrance to the castle, buffet breakfast and car parking.
Lodges cost from £149 per night; glamping starts from £139 per night for a Warwick tent (standard option) or from £259 for the lush new premium Avenue of the Kings tents.
Each stay is based on two adults and two children.