January 14, 2006
From Stratford to Keswick with a stop at Warwick Castle
Day 8 began and ended with travel on the coach with our faithful driver, Paul. We left Stratford early for a long day in which we would break for a visit to Warwick Castle and complete in Keswick of the lovely Lake District area.
The scenery as one drives through the English countryside is truly stunning. Grey rolling hills soon change to plains and plains into steep bluffs. The infamous fog creates an odd dreamlike veil over the landscape and caused many in our group to doze off during our drive. In a dreary mist we pulled into the long driveway that leads to Warwick Castle and began to explore.
Warwick Castle.
Warwick Castle is an original Mid-evil castle in South Warwickshire. I had really looked forward to being able to get lost in long damp halls of a huge castle. Unfortunately for me (and anyone who wishes to use their imagination here) the estate was purchased by the Tussaud's Group in 1978 and thereafter filled with wax dummies. Tussaud's Group added the Royal Weekend Party in 1982, the Kingmaker in 1994, and the Armory in 2000. While these are the largest and most recent attractions at the Castle, the entire estate is filled with such big budget wax excitement.
Photo curtesy of: http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk |
Royal Weekend Party. Here is an example of the decadent rooms that fill the Royal Weekend Party which tells the story of Daisy, Countess of Warwick at the end of the Nineteenth Century. Daisy, the wife of a noble was known for her elaborate parties and her many affairs. All of the furniture, clothing, and decor are designed from actual photographs of the rooms Daisy hosted her famous parties in. The specific story told here today at Warwick is a party that Daisy had prepared for the Prince of Wales in 1898. A walk through the small mansion reveals many themed rooms, all with fairly clear masculine or feminine settings. A pink dressing room awaits the lady visitors and a rustic smoking room is set with men lighting cigars.
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Warwick Ghost Tower. The tamest haunted tower one will ever see. Granted, the usual soundtrack of howls that accompanies the two minute walk up these haunted hallways was out of order during our visit, I had expected a good scare. Maybe a booby trap or two. Though the tower was built in the Fourteenth century it is now decorated in the Jacobean style to match the style of supposed ghost who resides here: Sir Fulke Greville. Greville found special interest in the tower and donated exorbinant amounts of money to the tower. For more information on Sir Fulks Greville click here |
Photo curtesy of: http://www.warwickcastle.co.uk |
Guy's Tower. Guy's Tower was also built in the Fourteenth century for the purposes of defending the castle. This was definitely my favorite parts of the visit, perhaps because there were no statues or security. The view from the wall is majestic. One can see for miles and see the whole estate from above. Here is a picture of me before the 5 story climb up the narrow staircase of Guy's Tower.
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Photo curtesy of: http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk |
The Kingmaker. Another fanciful tour here by the Tussaud's Group was built just over ten years ago to tell the story Richard Neville's final battle. Earl of Warwick from 1449-1471, Neville led a treacherous life and most famously restored Henry to the throne after throwing out Edward. Here at the Warwick Castle today the sounds of horseshoes clapping and young men proclaiming their loyalty to the King still echo in the walls, albeit through modern day technology of looped soundtracks. The wax figures here are hard at work preparing for battle for "The Kingmaker". For more information on Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick click here |
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. Photo curtesy of www.tudorplace.com.ar |
The unfortunate dark rainy day was to be expected in England during this season, but still I can only imagine how spectacular the gardens at Warwick are in full bloom. The amusement park atmosphere in the whole area quickly burst any ambitions I had to run away here. Though the mystique of the castle life was muddied by mannequins, the estate is still quite informative and fantastic for those interested in the many eras of Lordship in Warwick.
For more information on Warwick Castle click here
For more information on the Tussaud's Group click here
Lake District.
Keswick is a beautiful mountain town near the Northern shores of Derwentwater. The sun goes down so quickly here that if you wake up too late you won't be able to see the mountain view in it's full glory. Keswick is a small town right in the center of the Lake District. This everning in the rain and dark, the mountains could barely be made out but even in the dark the cold quietness of the green lawns and stone streets was remarkable.
For more information on the Lake District and Keswick click here.