What is the trebuchet at Warwick Castle?

Warwick Castle

England · Warwickshire · Near Warwick

Built 1068 · Medieval — Norman motte 1068, later Gothic additions, extensively restored 19th century

This page is part of an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Warwick Castle.

Warwick Castle rising above the River Avon with its medieval towers reflected in the water

Quick Facts

Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–17:00. Sat & Sun 10:00–18:00
Day trip from: €30
Duration: 4–6 hours
Best time: May to September
Booking: Required — book 7+ days ahead
Nearest city: Warwick

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Highlights

✦The Great Hall and State Rooms — Victorian interiors recreating medieval and Tudor scenes with life-size wax figures
✦The Trebuchet — one of the largest working siege engines in the world, fired in live demonstrations
✦Jousting tournaments and medieval shows in the castle grounds throughout summer
✦The towers — Caesar's Tower and Guy's Tower offer panoramic views over the Avon valley
✦The castle grounds — 64 acres designed by Capability Brown, with a Victorian rose garden and peacocks

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Warwick Castle is England's best-preserved medieval castle and one of its most visited historic attractions — a genuine fortress that has also, over nine centuries, accumulated the visual drama of a period film set. Built by William the Conqueror in 1068 on a cliff above the River Avon, the castle passed through the hands of the Beauchamp and Neville families before becoming the seat of the Earls of Warwick — including Richard Neville, the 'Kingmaker' who placed two kings on the throne during the Wars of the Roses.

The castle is now operated as a heritage attraction by Merlin Entertainments, which has invested heavily in live entertainment while preserving the genuine medieval fabric. The towers, walls, Great Hall and state rooms are all authentic, and the wax-figure tableaux in the state rooms — recreating specific historical moments — are among the most atmospheric in any English castle. Outside, the working trebuchet (a counterweight siege engine capable of hurling 150kg projectiles) fires in regular demonstrations; jousting tournaments and falconry displays run throughout the summer season.

The 64-acre grounds, landscaped by Capability Brown in the 18th century, are exceptional. The Avon curves below the cliff, the Victorian formal gardens contain elaborate parterres and a peacock colony, and the view from the battlements over the river valley on a clear day justifies the climb.

History

The first castle at Warwick was a motte-and-bailey earthwork raised by William the Conqueror in 1068. Henry de Newburgh became the first Earl of Warwick in 1088, and the earldom's subsequent history reads as a compressed chronicle of English medieval power. The Beauchamp earls of the 14th and 15th centuries rebuilt the castle in stone, constructing Caesar's Tower (1356) and Guy's Tower (1394) — the two great towers that still define the castle's skyline.

Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick (1428–1471), became the most powerful nobleman in England, earning the title 'Kingmaker' for his role in placing both Henry VI and Edward IV on the throne during the Wars of the Roses before being killed at the Battle of Barnet. The castle was acquired by the Crown, granted to Ambrose Dudley (brother of Robert Dudley, Elizabeth I's favourite), and later sold to Fulke Greville, who spent £20,000 converting it into a comfortable Jacobean residence. The Greville family, later Earls of Warwick, owned the castle until 1978, hosting the Prince of Wales, Benjamin Disraeli and other luminaries. It was sold to the Tussauds Group in 1978 and is now managed by Merlin.

How to Visit

Getting there: Warwick railway station is a 15-minute walk from the castle entrance. Trains run from Birmingham New Street (25 minutes), London Marylebone (90 minutes via Leamington Spa), and Stratford-upon-Avon (20 minutes). Limited on-site parking is available; book a car park space in advance for weekend visits.

Tickets: Book online for a significant discount over gate prices and to guarantee your entry time — the castle sells out on summer weekends. Adult admission is £29 and children £22. The GYG entry ticket (t113143, from £30, 4.8★/236 reviews) covers all-day access including the trebuchet demonstrations, State Rooms, and grounds.

Practical tips: Check the daily trebuchet and jousting schedule at the entrance on arrival — the trebuchet firing is usually twice daily and is the castle's most spectacular live event. Allow 4–6 hours minimum: the towers, Great Hall, state rooms, and 64-acre Capability Brown grounds each justify dedicated time. Caesar's Tower and Guy's Tower offer the best panoramic views over the Avon valley.

Combine with: [Kenilworth Castle](/castles/england/kenilworth-castle), the vast English Heritage ruin 12 km north of Warwick, for a contrasting ruined-versus-intact Warwickshire castle circuit. [Belvoir Castle](/castles/england/belvoir-castle), the Regency ducal seat 45 km northeast, extends the day for those driving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Warwick Castle has one of the world's largest working trebuchets — a medieval siege engine that uses a counterweight to hurl projectiles. At Warwick, it can launch 150kg projectiles distances of over 300 metres. Live firing demonstrations are held daily in the grounds, with commentary explaining medieval siege warfare. The trebuchet was reconstructed based on historical records and is a centrepiece of the castle's events programme.