NEW for 2013! Warwick Castle UNLOCKED

Explore four centuries of secret rooms UNLOCKED for the first time. Seek a shy ghost, explore a deadly bear’s lair and smell foul mediaeval sludge!

The ancient rooms shed light on the defining chapters in Warwick Castle’s past to reveal tales of battle, siege, murder, power struggles and hauntings.

Barbican Battlements and Captain's Room

Take a deep breath. See and smell this ancient room - never before open to visitors - readied for mediaeval battle. Built in the reign of Edward III to protect the entrance to the Castle, the Barbican Battlements over the Portcullis include deadly murder holes through which boiling tar and human waste were poured on attacking forces.

Bear Tower

The county of Warwickshire and the heraldic crest of the Earls of Warwick are represented by a Bear and Ragged Staff, symbols whose history can be traced back to Warwick Castle including the keeping of a bear here in the fifteenth century. In heraldry, a bear represents courage – but who will be brave enough to venture into the never-seen-before Tower with its recently unearthed bear pit?

Watergate Tower

Reputedly haunted by the ghost of Sir Fulke Greville - playwright, poet, Member of Parliament and victim of a gruesome murder - the Watergate Tower tells the tale of a notable life brought short by a disloyal, dagger-wielding servant. Fulke’s restless spirit is said to roam the tower – just one reason few people in living memory have ventured inside.

Guards’ Room in Guy's Tower

In 1642, during the Civil War, Warwick Castle - a stronghold for Parliamentary forces under its owner, Robert Greville - was besieged by Royalists stationed at St Mary’s Church in Warwick. This Guards’ Room at the top of Guy’s Tower was remodelled to fire cannons rather than arrows: discover the musty, smoky living conditions endured by the guards as they await attack and bore the ultimately futile siege.

Time Team's very own Tony Robinson officially Unlocked the 4 NEW rooms on 15th February 2013, here is what he had to say about the new rooms: