Warwick Castle & Motor Museums with Midi & Netty

 Warwick Castle & Motor Museums

We headed off to one of the biggest highlights of the holiday – the magnificent Warwick Castle. Arriving in Warwick felt like stepping into another era, with its historic streets, timber-framed buildings and charming old English character. The castle itself was absolutely spectacular. Built originally by William the Conqueror in 1068, it has nearly 1,000 years of history waiting to be explored. Our visit began with the incredible Falconer's Quest, where we watched some magnificent birds of prey demonstrating their skills. From graceful barn owls and enormous white-tailed sea eagles to speedy peregrine falcons and impressive Harris hawks, there was plenty to admire. The magnificent bald eagle was a particular favourite.

Inside the castle, we explored its impressive rooms, fascinating armoury collections, historic weapons and beautiful paintings. The lifelike waxwork figures helped bring the castle's colourful history to life, allowing us to imagine what life might have been like during royal banquets and grand celebrations.

There was no time to waste getting the fun started, though, as our first activity was a visit to the bowling alley in nearby Tamworth. And what a competitive start it was! Ian got off to a flying start with a strike and a spare in his opening turns, while James was hot on his heels. Nigel and Dominic were also getting in on the action, with plenty of spares and some impressive bowling along the way.

Our next day took us into the heart of Birmingham, beginning with a visit to the National SEA LIFE Centre. There was plenty to see as we explored the underwater world, spotting colourful tropical fish, graceful rays, penguins, enormous turtles and some rather impressive sharks.We even discovered a few interesting facts along the way. Did you know that male seahorses carry the babies, or that sharks have been around longer than dinosaurs?The spectacular ocean tunnel was a particular highlight, with sharks and a giant turtle gliding overhead. We couldn't resist a group photograph before heading off for a little souvenir shopping.

The group had spotted something else that caught their attention – a passing tram! Never ones to miss an opportunity for an adventure, we decided to hop aboard the West Midlands Metro from Brindleyplace and enjoy a journey towards Wolverhampton. It was a lovely way to see a different side of the area, passing busy shopping streets, historic industrial buildings and modern developments along the way. We enjoyed a little wander around Wolverhampton before returning to Birmingham city centre and Victoria Square, with its impressive historic buildings and famous statue of Queen Victoria.

We headed off to the British Motor Museum in Leicestershire. There was plenty of excitement among the group, particularly as Ian was the only one who had visited before and was soon taking on the role of our unofficial museum tour guide! The museum is home to the world's largest collection of historic British cars, and we certainly weren't disappointed. From beautiful pre-war classics and vintage family cars to powerful racing machines and futuristic concept vehicles, there was something to catch everyone's eye. One of the biggest talking points was the collection of famous television and film cars. The iconic yellow three-wheeler van from Only Fools and Horses brought plenty of smiles and more than a few Del Boy impressions! 

Of course, everyone had to choose their favourite vehicle. James went for the legendary 1988 Jaguar XJR-9 Le Mans winner, Ian chose the timeless Austin 7, while birthday boy Nigel selected the stylish Lotus Europa S2. Dominic, meanwhile, couldn't quite decide whether he was more of a car or motorcycle enthusiast! After a welcome café break, we continued exploring the outdoor collection and the impressive Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust exhibition, with its beautifully restored classic vehicles, luxury interiors and fascinating motoring history. Being able to sit inside some of the cars was a real treat.

We then decided that, being so close, we simply couldn't miss a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon. Famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, this beautiful historic town was full of character, with traditional black-and-white timber-framed buildings, quaint streets and lovely independent shops. We stopped for photographs outside Shakespeare's birthplace, explored the town on foot and grabbed a few pictures beside the famous statue. It was a lovely addition to an already busy day.

If there is one attraction guaranteed to bring out the child in everyone, it has to be Cadbury World! After another hearty farmhouse breakfast, we headed back towards Birmingham for a day dedicated to one of Britain's best-loved chocolate brands. Cadbury's story began in 1824, when John Cadbury started selling tea, coffee and drinking chocolate in Birmingham. Today, it is famous for some of our favourite treats, including Dairy Milk, Creme Eggs, Wispa, Crunchie and Curly Wurly. And the best part? We were handed three complimentary chocolate bars each as soon as we started the tour! The attraction took us on a fascinating journey through the history of chocolate, from the growing and harvesting of cocoa beans in tropical countries to the production of the delicious chocolate bars we all know and love. 

There were interactive displays, chocolate-making demonstrations and plenty of opportunities for tasting. The smell of melted chocolate drifting through the building was absolutely irresistible! One of the biggest highlights was the fantastic 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience. With our 3D glasses on, we were transported into a colourful chocolate world, complete with moving seats, wind effects, bubbles and splashes. There was plenty of ducking, laughing and surprised reactions around the group! We also enjoyed the gentle Cadabra ride, travelling through a wonderfully colourful chocolate wonderland filled with dancing caramel characters, oversized Creme Eggs and familiar Cadbury favourites. Naturally, we couldn't leave without visiting the enormous gift shop, where a few extra chocolate treats and souvenirs somehow found their way into our bags!

Having satisfied our sweet tooth, we continued our adventure with a visit to the National Motorcycle Museum. None of us had visited before, so there was plenty of excitement as we entered the impressive exhibition halls, packed with more than 1,000 beautifully restored motorcycles. The collection celebrates the rich history of British motorcycle engineering, featuring legendary names including Triumph, Norton, BSA, Royal Enfield and Vincent. We wandered past everything from early pioneering motorcycles to powerful racing machines and beautifully polished vintage classics. Some of the most fascinating exhibits were the rare racing motorcycles and record-breaking machines, including bikes associated with famous competitions such as the Isle of Man TT. Everyone soon had their favourites, with some preferring the powerful racing machines and others admiring the traditional classics with their polished chrome and leather saddles. 

But there was still one more stop before heading home! We made our way to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, the historic site associated with the famous 1485 Battle of Bosworth, where Richard III was defeated by Henry VII. We spent the morning exploring the informative museum before heading outside for a walk around the battlefield itself. The information boards helped bring the events of this important moment in English history to life, making it a fascinating final excursion.