The inside of Warwick Castle’s dungeon is a fully immersive, interactive experience that transports visitors back in time to the days of the putrefying Plague. This hauntingly thrilling attraction showcases over 300 years of Warwick’s most gruesome and grizzly history, where visitors can see, hear, feel, and even smell the castle’s resident creatures.
Encounter the Castle’s Gruesome Characters
As visitors descend into the depths of the Castle Dungeon, they can expect to meet some of the castle’s most notorious characters. The Plague Doctor, with their keen sense of smell, can detect rotting meat and test visitors’ knowledge on the symptoms, causes, and cures of the Plague. The Torturer, an expert in their craft, takes great pleasure in demonstrating their favorite tools of the trade, ranging from The Hook to the Chappy Chopper. The Judge, ready and eagerly waiting to pass judgment on all the peasants for their heinous crimes, is another character visitors may encounter.
Explore the Claustrophobic Oubliette
In addition to the Castle Dungeon, Warwick Castle also features an ancient claustrophobic chamber known as an ‘oubliette’. This horizontal, long, narrow, and paved chamber with jagged stones jutting up from the floor was used to abandon prisoners, where they would lie prone on the stones, the ceiling of their tiny prison just inches above them. The inescapable physical pain, combined with the clammy, claustrophobic conditions, could easily lead to the loss of the prisoner’s sanity.
Warwick Castle’s Infamous History as a Prison
Warwick Castle was infamous as a prison, with many high-profile inmates held within its walls, including Edward IV, who was held prisoner in 1469. The Tower of London and Pontfract Castle are also famous for housing political prisoners, and the purpose of a medieval castle dungeon was to detain prisoners, often in dark, damp, and dirty conditions, with prisoners usually kept in chains or locked in cages and subjected to torture.
Practical Information for Visitors
The Castle Dungeon is open every day, with shows throughout the day, and is recommended for those aged 10 and above. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. It is important to note that the Castle Dungeon is dark, with a steep spiral staircase, and may be unsuitable for some guests with reduced mobility or guests with hidden disabilities.
In conclusion, the inside of Warwick Castle’s dungeon is a thrilling and immersive experience that takes visitors back in time to the days of the Plague and medieval imprisonment. It is not for the faint-hearted, but for those brave enough to enter, it is a must-see attraction that is both informative and entertaining.
References:
– Tripadvisor Review of Warwick Castle
– Warwick Castle Support Article on the Castle Dungeon
– Exploring Castles: Castle Dungeon
– Exploring GB: Warwick Castle Oubliette
– Warwick Castle Official Website