If you’re a fan of castles, you’d be hard-pressed to find one with a bigger “wow factor” than Warwick (01926 406610, warwick-castle. com). Standing on a rocky bluff above the River Avon, its imposing towers and battlements are “Hollywood epic” dramatic. Inside, you can explore creepy dungeons, a fully equipped armoury and state apartments being readied for one of Countess Daisy’s lavish parties. In the landscaped grounds there is even a full-size trebuchet, the 13th century weapon of mass destruction.
The history is no less breathtaking, being home to the powerful earls of Warwick for centuries. At least three owners died in battle, a couple of them were executed and another was murdered. No wonder it has been a popular tourist attraction since Victorian times, with a permanent tour guide employed by the turn of the 20th century.
It’s hardly surprising then that Warwick plays second fiddle to its castle, despite being a historic county town. Having been to the fortress before, I decided to spend a day exploring the surroundings. For much of the day, I couldn’t even see its towers rising in the background, thanks to a swirling mist. It was rather like those 1950s peasoupers that many BoB readers will remember. It certainly added a moody atmosphere to my day trip.
Denne historien er fra April 2023-utgaven av Best of British.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 2023-utgaven av Best of British.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THE FEW ON SCREEN
Steven Taylor looks at the Battle of Britain across film and TV
Table Service
Rachel Toy looks at the history of Ridgway Homemaker tableware
Hever Forever
Claire Saul studies the newly refurbished Boleyn Apartment at Hever Castle & Gardens - a castle fit for a queen
Shining a Light
Tony O’Neil tunes into the history of the last manned lightvessel
The Man With the Goldeneye
Film stills photographer Keith Hamshere describes how he came to enter the world of James Bond
THE ORIGINAL GOLDEN BALLS
lan Wheeler looks back on 70 years of Tiger comic and Roy of the Rovers, and chats to the man who edited and oversaw both titles
To Play the Queen
Chris Hallam looks back on the life of one of the UK’s best known lookalikes
POOLING RESOURCES
Martin Handley looks at what life was like after the Vernons Girls
POSTCARD FROM= SUSSEX
Bob Barton indulges in pleasure piers and fairground delights, as well as fulfilling a long-held ambition to visit the home of Rudyard Kipling
Oh, Miss Jones
Chris Hallam looks back at the origins and legacy of Rising Damp, ITV's most successful sitcom