May 24, 2003

May 24, 2003

From Stratford-upon-Avon we drove to nearby Warwick Castle. Warwick is the Disneyland of English castles and we end up spending most of the day here. It is an old medieval castle along the Avon River that has been spiffed up. The ticket price is steep but worth it. We start our day by climbing the towers and walking atop the walls to get a good view of the castle and its terrain. We then tour the interior rooms that have exhibits on medieval armor, wax figures of lords and ladies dressed in finery, and a dungeon of torture. The grounds have tents displaying ancient arts and crafts but the highlight is a real jousting competition with knights in shining armor. It is very entertaining. 

We were planning to spend tonight in the Cotswolds and see this rustic bit of old England. Unfortunately this is a bank holiday weekend and we can’t find a room. So we drive towards London where we spend the night at The Bungalow B&B in Oxford. We eat dinner at the ivy-covered Trout Inn outdoors on a terrace overlooking a branch of the Thames River.