The wonder of Warwick – a camping adventure
CAMPING in the grounds of a castle is an adventure for our family.
I’m calmly watching my four- year- old son scream “Die!” as he races toward his opponent with a lance, before decapitating him with a broadsword.
His enemy may be stuffed full of straw, but to this budding warrior, Knight School at Warwick Castle in the Midlands is 100% real. Welcome to medieval glamping. There are 38 campaign tents like ours, and three Kings’ tents ( with four- poster beds) dotted among the trees in a wooded glade along the banks of the sleepy river Avon, on the edge of the castle grounds.
As part of our overnight stay, following a day exploring the castle, we’ve just eaten an enormous feast in the banqueting tent.
Now the evening entertainment has captured the children’s imagination and attention.
As well as Knight School, there are archery lessons and Jester School, where my daughter is two-hours into a chaotic attempt at juggling, magic tricks and spinning plates.
It’s 10 o’clock before we coerce them into bed.
One of the added perks of our glamping weekend is exclusive access to the castle earlier than the masses.
So it’s with a sense of privilege that we cross the wooden bridge into the grounds and stroll up the peacock lawn the following morning.
We have half an hour to savour the peace of the castle courtyard, to climb the battlements and walk the ramparts unfettered by crowds.
Merlin Entertainments, who bought the castle in the 1970s from the Greville family, have used all their theme park experience to bring the juiciest aspects of this history to life.
A two- day pass comes with the glamping experience and means you can plan and pace your activities. We saw birds of prey soar and witnessed the firing of the largest working trebuchet in the world. The perfect way to bring history to life! Tents at Warwick Castle start from £200 per night, sleeping two adults and two children. For more, visit warwick-castle.com/glamping or call 0871 663 1676 (lines open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).