Amoi on Pedals: UK Trip (21 March - 1 April 2019) : Day 8

Warwick Castle

On the way to Marylebone Railway Station. Not far after leaving this St Mary's Church in Marylebone, Ryan was hit by bird's droppings @ https://goo.gl/maps/J2b3K2suLBonRYgy9

Marylebone Railway Station

Streetview

Inside the busy station

Bromptons in a row

On Chiltern Railways, owned by Arriva

Parking areas

Train comes with charging ports

Clean toilets

Dyson hand dryer

Arrived at Leamington Spa

All ready to ride out

Cross Country Train, another railway company owned by Arriva

Bicycle park at Leamington Spa

Outside the railway station

On Route A425 aka Old Warwick Road. This is part of National Cycle Route 41

Where the road narrows, the cycle path merges with pedestrian path

Crossing the Grand Union Canal

Grand Union Canal

Still on National Cycle Route 41 which runs on the edges of Ford's Fields

National Cycle Route 41 then runs alongside houses by Aragon Drive

On the left is Mython Green

On Mill Street, by the roundabout. On the right is part of the castle walls @ https://goo.gl/maps/rRTV9KvUmoYJSagTA

On Mill Street, by the roundabout

St Nicholas Church by the roundabout

Mill Street overlooking St Nicholas Street @ location of the green truck. Gerard Street is diagonal @ location of the house with blue window panes and wooden beams

Further down Mill Street

Castle Lane @ https://goo.gl/maps/Y8xEVMc1h7Vpbt9NA

Off Stratford Road

Our room was not ready but the concierge allowed us to keep our bikes and bags at the staff pantry

Lunch at Harvester, next to Holiday Inn, Warrick at Longbridge

We dined in March 2019.....

But the place closed down by July 2019 as per Google Maps

Based on the reviews, McDonald's took over in 2022

Walking to Warwick Castle after lunch

Our first time seeing a mobile tyre service

Within the Castle walls

First sight!

Caesar's Tower built between 1330 to 1360. Note the castle moat

Guy's Tower built between 1330 to 1360. A better view of the moat

The Gatehouse built in the 14th century. The last time VT and I were in Warwick was April 1999

Ethelfleda's mound; instigated by the daughter of Alfred the Great, an Anglo Saxon ruler. The fortifications on the mound were from the Normans period.

The Great Hall as it stands today after restoration works in 1871. The original hall from the 14th century had a fire place in the center with a hole in the roof to let out the smoke. It was later rebuilt in the 17th century to serve as a grand entrance house to receive visitors of the Earl of Warwick

Inside one of the state rooms

View of the River Avon from the castle windows

The toilet is merely a boxed seat with a hole many meters above the ground.

Stained glass with Arms of Beauchamp

View of the The Great Hall and State rooms from outside

View of the Gatehouse and Guy's Tower

Souvenier shop

The Jester preparing for a Castle Dungeon Tour

Down the dungeon

Before the tour starts, we tour more of the castle...

Another view of Guy's tower and the dry moat

Up on the walls on top of Ethelfleda's mound

View of Bear and Clarence Tower which were constructed at the request of Richard III in the 1480's

The Main house, Watergate Tower and Ethelfleda's mound

View of the barbican from Guy's Tower

The Main house and sweeping farmland

St Nicholas's Church tower, football field and tennis courts

More of the city and birds flying

St Mary's Church

Another view of Bear and Clarence Tower

Down the Dungeon Tour

Torture tools. Unfortunately, not much photography opportunities in the dark

Darth Vader inspired

Since Merlin Entertainment took over the operations of Warwick Castle in 2007, the place has turned into an amusement park. Overlooking the River Avon here is Falconer's Crest

One final photo before we say goodbye to the castle

Evening view

Thomas Oken Tea Rooms @ Castle Street

Built more than 500 years ago, this was the home of Thomas Oken, a merchant and mayor of the town

Castle Street with St Mary's Church in the background

Jury Street with Warwick's 11th century Eastgate in the background. St Peter's Chapel built in 1420 stands over the Gate

A taste of Italy on Jury Street

The Warwick War Memorial on Church Street was erected in 1921. Initially dedicated to WWI fallen soldiers; over time, the memorial has been extended to WWII soldiers as well

St Mary's Church

Warwick's Post Office on West Street

Tudor House Inn on West Street is located in a 15th century building

Park Cottage on West Street with history going back to 1440, once served as a dairy to Warwick Castle. It was part of Warwick Castle until it was sold in 1978

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Holiday Inn Warwick