Christmas FAQs

If you want to ice-skate without accessing the castle, you can buy a skate-only ticket on our website. This ticket will include access to the ice rink and the adjoining food stalls.   

If you’d like to upgrade your ticket to include access to the castle during the castle opening hours of 10am-4pm, you can pre-book a combined daytime castle & skate ticket. 

You can pre-book your Ice Rink session online through the Warwick Castle Website.  

If we have any availability on the day you can book a session on the Warwick Castle app, but we can’t guarantee this will be available on the day. 

If you wish to visit the castle during the castle’s opening hours (10am-4pm), you will need to have pre-booked a daytime castle and skate ticket. 

Discounts via our various partners do not include the Ice-Skating activity.

Yes, Annual Pass holders will be able to buy an Ice-Skating ticket with a 20% discount by booking on the Warwick Castle website and selecting "Passholder Skate Session". You will be asked to enter your Annual Pass ID number at the time of booking and will need to show your Annual Pass to gain entry to the castle on the day of your visit. 

Passholder tickets are subject to availability and are available on a first come first served basis. 

You will receive a confirmation email with your unique barcode per ticket booked, which will be scanned by a member of staff on arrival at the Ice Rink. 

You can bring this email as confirmation on your phone or tablet. Alternatively, you can print the email or add it to the Warwick Castle app for easier access. 

Please check your spam mailbox as our email may have gone there. Not there? Please email our customer service team on customer.information@warwick-castle.com and we will assist you.

Yes, you can book a skating-only ticket on the Warwick Castle website. 

Please note that the castle’s opening hours are 10am-4pm.  

Sessions last for 45 minutes on the ice, but you will need to arrive 20 minutes before your slot so you can collect your skates. The time you have booked will be the time your ice skating slot begins.

Please arrive at the Ice Rink 20 minutes before your session to get your skates on and prepare to take to the ice.

Yes, there is a cloakroom available at the Ice-Rink. 

Bags of any description are NOT permitted on the ice, so we advise you to only bring the essentials with you. All bags must be left in the cloakroom and cannot be brought onto the ice. 

Cloakrooms must be paid for by card only (a £2 charge applies). Please don’t bring any large baggage or valuable items to the ice rink as storage space is limited and cloakrooms are used entirely at your own risk. 

You will need to pre-book your tickets online. Pre-booking tickets for the Ice Rink is essential and guarantees your selected session time.

Yes, these should be booked at the Ice Rink on a first come first serve basis.
An additional charge of £5 applies. 

Skate hire is included.

Skate hire is included in the ticket price, but you can provide your own skates if you prefer. 

Warwick Castle is not responsible for your skates, shoes or property when skating at our rink. There is no reduction in price if you bring your own skates. 

Our skate sizes go from size J8 to size 14. We also have a limited number of bob skates for children.

Bags of any description are NOT permitted on the ice, so we advise you to only bring the essentials with you. All bags must be left in the cloakroom and cannot be brought onto the ice. 

Cloakrooms must be paid for by card only (a £2 charge applies). Please don’t bring any large baggage or valuable items to the ice rink as storage space is limited and cloakrooms are used entirely at your own risk. 

Yes, if there is a spectator viewing platform at our ice rink. This is not a covered area so please also wrap up warm!

Spectators are free of charge but must be accompanying someone who is skating.

Please see our directions & parking page here for more information. 

Day and evening parking charges apply for skate-only ticket holders. 

For ease, we recommend you purchase your evening parking ticket via the app before you leave us. 

Please allow up to 20 mins from the time of arrival in our car parks to entering the castle. 

The spectator viewing area and the ice rink are fully accessible for wheelchair users.  

If you are skating with someone who has accessibility requirements, please call before your session to discuss any requirements on 01926 406663 or email customer.information@warwick-castle.com 

Yes, you will be able to add on a carer ticket when purchasing your Ice Skating tickets. 

For a carer ticket, you must provide proof of disability on the night (this can be a DLA or PIP letter, Blue Badge, or letter of diagnosis from your GP.) If you have any accessibility questions relating to the Light Trail or require any further help, please feel free to email us at:  customer.information@warwick-castle.com 

Yes, there are toilets available adjacent to the Ice Rink. We have further toilets available at the castle entrance area, which includes an accessible toilet.

We recommend wrapping up in warm outdoor clothing, and we especially recommend wearing gloves! On all outdoor ice rinks, there is a risk of getting wet as there is surface water or if you fall over and have any contact with the surface of the ice rink so please bear this in mind.

On all outdoor ice rinks there is a risk of getting wet if you fall over and have any contact with the surface of the ice rink. As the rinks are open-air, rain or snow is also a possibility so please wrap up warm in appropriate outdoor clothing. It is still safe to skate on the ice during rain and snow.

Usually the outdoor ice rink is open in all weathers. Our advanced cooling equipment keeps the rinks frozen and operational in most weathers. 

In the unlikely event that extreme weather conditions force us to close the rink, we will arrange for you to book an alternative session, subject to availability. Our team will make this decision in the interests of your safety. 

To skate on our rinks you have to be at least 3 years old. Under 3s are not permitted on the Ice Rink. 

Skaters aged between 3 and 9 (inclusive) must be accompanied by an adult (18+) on the ice. 

Children between 10-12 years of age must be accompanied to the ice rink by adults who are watching at all times. 

A ratio of 1 adult to 5 children will be accepted. You can skate on our rink up to any age, although you are responsible for skating safely and it is not recommended for anyone with serious illness, heart conditions or pregnant mothers-to-be. 

Our Ice Skate Marshalls are on the ice rink to monitor safe skating and will assist if needed.  We always have a first aider available.

Yes! We will have a range of stalls adjacent to the Ice Rink filled with festive food and drinks.

We would be happy to look at a bespoke package for you. Contact us at 
Events@warwick-castle.com

You can visit the Light Trail without castle entry by booking a Light Trail only ticket on the Warwick Castle website.  

To upgrade your ticket to include access to the castle during opening hours (10am – 4pm), you can pre-book a combined daytime castle & evening Light Trail ticket.  

Light Trail tickets can be booked online through the Warwick Castle website. You will have a choice of a daytime castle & evening Light Trail ticket or just an evening Light Trail ticket.  

The daytime castle and evening Light Trail ticket allows you to visit the castle and grounds during the hours of 10am-4pm. The evening Light Trail timeslots then start from 4.30pm. 

You will need to select either of these options from the bottom of the Christmas web page. You will be asked to select a visit date and Light Trail timeslot at the time of booking. These tickets will not be available for on the day purchase. 

The Light Trail is very popular, so we’ll be unable to change your time slot on the day if you arrive late. 

Yes, you will be able to add on both types of tickets when purchasing your Light Trail tickets with no charge. 

For a carer ticket, you must provide proof of disability on the night (this can be a DLA or PIP letter, Blue Badge, or letter of diagnosis from your GP.) If you have any accessibility questions relating to the Light Trail or require any further help, please feel free to email us at:  customer.information@warwick-castle.com 

All annual pass holders, except for Merlin Discovery passes, will receive an exclusive 20% off your Light Trail experience. 

Pre-book your tickets here. You will need to present your Annual Pass upon arrival to gain entry.

You will receive a confirmation email with a unique barcode per ticket booked, which will be scanned by a member of staff on arrival at the Light Trail entrance. 

You can bring this email as confirmation on your phone, tablet, printed or add to the Warwick Castle app for easier access. 

Please check your spam mailbox as our email may have gone there. Not there? Please email our customer service team on customer.information@warwick-castle.com and we will assist you.

Yes, you can book a Light Trail only ticket on the Warwick Castle website.

Subject to the number of visitors, you can explore the Christmas Light Trail as many times as you like!

Yes of course! Look out for the photo opportunities around the trail to show you the best views. Take as many pictures as you would like and share them on social media using the #ChristmasattheCastle. 

Unfortunately, guests cannot set up a picnic within the grounds of the Light Trail. Guests will be able to purchase food and drink during the Light Trail. 

Please note we accept card payments only. 

The Light Trail is situated outdoors so please wear suitable warm winter clothes and practical shoes as the surfaces may be muddy or uneven.

The trail takes approximately 45 minutes however you’re more than welcome to take your time and go around as many times as you wish.

The Light Trail is suitable for buggies, feel free to take them with you on your experience, but please note some areas are on grass. We do not have a suitable place to leave your buggy - should you choose not to bring it with you, we advise you leave it in your car.

The Light Trail is fully accessible, however some areas have steep slopes, grassy areas, tight corners and dark areas. Should you require assistance, please speak to a member of staff. 

Please see our directions & parking page here for more information. Evening parking charges apply. 

For ease, we recommend you purchase your evening parking ticket via the app before you leave us. 

There are designated bays closer to the castle entrance for Blue Badge holders in both the Stables Car Park and the Stratford Road Car Park. Evening parking charges apply. 

For ease, we recommend you purchase your evening parking ticket via the app before you leave us. 

No, the Light Trail is family-friendly and a magical experience for all. However, please be advised that there may be areas of low lighting.

There will be areas of the trail which may affect guests with Photo Sensitive Epilepsy. Please speak to a member of staff if this affects you.

With the exception of assistance dogs, we do not allow any pets on-site.

You are welcome to bring a torch, however, all of our paths are lit. 

No, this is a set route with a specific path for your safety. We ask all guests to keep to the paths marked. 

You can explore our Winter Food Market and Ice Rink viewing area before or after your Light Trail time slot. 

If you wish to visit the castle, you will need to have pre-booked a daytime castle & evening Light Trail ticket. Castle opening hours are 10am-4pm.  

No, we are a smoke free site.

Please arrive 5 minutes before your timeslot. If you are parking in our Stratford Road car park, please allow an extra 15/20 minutes.

Tickets can be purchased online in advance or on-the-day. We recommend booking in advance to secure your ticket.

Toilets are only available at the start of the trail.

We will make every effort to accommodate you should you miss your time slot. However, we can't guarantee entry due to popular demand. Please speak to a member of staff when you arrive. 

You will need to select a Castle and Santa ticket at the bottom of the Christmas page. You will be asked to select a visit date and Santa time slot at the time of booking. These tickets will not be available for on-the-day purchase. 

We recommend arriving a minimum of 30 mins before your Santa time slot. Due to the popularity of this event, we’ll be unable to change any time slots on the day to accommodate late arrivals. 

The daytime castle part of your ticket is valid throughout the castle’s opening hours, which are 10am-4pm. This will allow you to visit the castle attractions and grounds and to enjoy our wonderful winter birds of prey show. Your Santa ticket is valid for the timeslot that you booked, so we recommend arriving a minimum of 30 minutes before your timeslot. Due to the popularity of this event, we’ll be unable to change any timeslots on the day to accommodate late arrivals.

Yes, please select the under 3 ticket option when booking your tickets.

The Stories with Santa experience is only available to pre-book online, subject to availability on a first come first served basis. Stories with Santa is a very popular event, so it will not be possible to purchase tickets on the day.

The Castle & Santa ticket includes daytime access to the castle and grounds from 10am-4pm, and the Stories with Santa experience.

To start, the experience will take place in the State Dining Room where an Elf Workshop will take place. The group will then be guided by elves to The Library where Santa & Mrs. Claus will tell a Christmas story time. Children will be gifted a small, festive present and adults will be offered a complimentary mince pie.

Discounts via our partners do not include the Stories with Santa experience. 

Yes, Annual Pass holders can purchase the Stories with Santa event by booking on the Warwick Castle website. You will be asked to enter your Annual Pass ID number at the time of booking and will need to show your Annual Pass to gain entry to the castle on the day of your visit. 

Tickets are subject to availability and are available on a first come first served basis. 

As part of your Knights Village booking, you will have a Stories with Santa experience included on the evening of your stay. You don’t need to pre-book any additional Stories with Santa experiences.

We have lots of other Christmas attractions available including the Winter Birds of Prey Show, climb the Towers & Ramparts, view the stunning Great Hall & State Rooms, visit the Horrible Histories^® Maze, Zog Playland and Christmas Scavenger Hunt around the grounds of the castle. You can also visit our Ice Rink & Light Trail for an additional fee.

Yes, the castle is open from 10am. The time you select for Stories with Santa is the time your experience starts and not the time to arrive at the Castle. 

Stories with Santa is a 40-minute experience. 

If you would like to add on the Stories with Santa event, please contact us on customer.information@warwick-castle.com and we will be happy to assist, subject to availability.

Please bring your ticket along with you on the day of your visit. We recommend you arrive at the Great Hall entrance 10 minutes before your timeslot.