Warwick Castel & Motor Museums with Leo, Rachel & Debbie

 Warwick Castel & Motor Museums

Our history fanatics couldn't wait to visit Warwick Castle. Braving the climb, we ascended the castle’s tower and walked its ramparts, soaking in panoramic views and the thrill of history beneath their feet. 

The Grand Hall dazzled with its gleaming suits of armour, weapons, and a life-sized knight on horseback. We encountered historical figures such as Winston Churchill and his men and strolled through the elegant music room, where a charming afternoon tea scene awaited. The tour continued through Queen Anne’s bedroom, revealing how four-poster beds of the past differed dramatically from todays, and then to the display recounting Henry VIII and his many wives. 

Next, we settled in for The Falconer’s Quest—the UK’s largest birds of prey show. The story of how the hobby falcon returned to grace our skies was told through awe-inspiring flight displays. Majestic birds soared low over our heads, including the impressive Arden Condor, sea eagles, bald eagles, and wise owls. The spectacle left us breathless as dozens of birds wheeled overhead in a magnificent display of power and grace. 

Outside, princesses, a jester, and a knight entertained us with photo opportunities. 

We immersed ourselves in automotive history at the British Motor Museum, home to over 400 British cars.  The museum’s layout made it easy to stroll through decades of motoring heritage, starting with the beautifully curated Time Road—an exhibit tracing the evolution of cars from the early 1900s to the present. We were captivated by the classic Minis, especially the famous model from The Italian Job, whose compact size and spirited personality never fail to charm. The last Austin Maurice Mini produced was a highlight, valued at approximately £60,000. The Jaguar and Land Rover collections showcased British luxury and rugged reliability, with the Jaguar XJ220 stopping us in awe with its futuristic design. The quirky prototypes made us smile and scratch our heads in wonder—particularly the XJR-13, a 1966 Le Mans racer valued at around £35 million, whose tragic crash ended its racing career prematurely.

 We were especially thrilled to see Princess Diana’s personal car, complete with rear-facing child seats for Princes Harry and William. Other notable vehicles included Harold Wilson’s vegetarian-friendly Rover P5 without leather interior, James Callaghan’s and Margaret Thatcher’s former cars, and the late Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved Rover P5. 

Our next adventure was a guided canal boat tour with Brindley Canal Tours, where a lively commentary traced the rich history of Birmingham’s canal network—the very thing that fuelled the Industrial Revolution. As the boat chugged gently along the water, we reflected on how dramatically the landscape and industry have transformed over the centuries. 

We headed to the National Motorcycle Museum, renowned as the largest and finest collection of motorcycles in the world. Established in 1984 with 350 bikes, the collection has since grown to over 1,000, all meticulously restored to their original specifications. As we wandered through the halls, we each found motorcycles from the years we were born, posing proudly beside them for photos to capture the moment. 

The museum showcased everything from vintage police motorcycles through the ages to record-breaking speed machines. We admired the JPS racing bikes, once emblazoned with the iconic cigarette brand logo, reflecting a bygone era. It was fascinating to witness the evolution of motorcycle design, and one particular model stood out—a bike valued at £43,000. 

Our next stop was the famed Cadbury World in Birmingham, where excitement grew with every mile. Upon arrival, we collected our free chocolate bars—of course, we couldn’t resist sampling everyone’s favourite! We journeyed back a thousand years to the ancient Mayan rainforests of Mexico, discovering the origins of the cocoa bean and the early history of the Cadbury empire. 

We were thrilled to watch a chocolatier temper chocolate before getting hands-on ourselves—writing names and creating designs with warm melted chocolate on cold marble slabs. The Beanmobile ride through a chocolate village wonderland was a delightful highlight, complete with a cheeky smile for the camera. The interactive purple planet area was a blast, as we grew cocoa trees, danced in chocolate rain, and chased flying Creme Eggs. The 4D cinema adventure took us on a motion-seat ride through a world of Dairy Milk and Crunchie treats, piloted by the whimsical Caramel Bunny. After exploring the rest of Cadbury World, we ended up in chocolate heaven at the shop, indulging in our favourites and picking out treats to take home. 

Our underwater adventure at the Sea Life Centre was so much fun. We were mesmerized by the playful Gentoo penguins in their carefully crafted habitat. Each of us took turns dipping our hands into the interactive rockpool, gently touching starfish and learning fascinating facts about various marine mammals. We laughed as the rays glided gracefully through the water, their subtle smiles enchanting us all. The journey through diverse aquatic habitats was captivating—from the sleek sharks and translucent jellyfish to the vibrant clownfish darting about.