Old Castle Entrance, Warwick, Besucherguide & was in der Nähe unternehmen

The Old Castle Entrance is a spot on Mill Street in Warwick, close to Warwick Castle, and it is tied to one of the town's darkest stories. Local tradition says Piers Gaveston, the favourite of King Edward II, was led along this road to his death, and that his ghost still walks it.

The story behind it

Piers Gaveston was a close companion of Edward II in the early 1300s and was widely resented by the nobility. He was known for his arrogance and for handing out mocking nicknames to powerful men. He called Guy de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, "The Black Dog of Arden", and that insult was not forgotten.

In 1311 a group of earls, barons and bishops pressed the king to send Gaveston into exile. Edward gave way, but he brought his friend back soon afterwards. The barons then moved against him, and the Earl of Warwick took Gaveston prisoner and held him at Warwick Castle. He was condemned and taken out of the town to Blacklow Hill, where he was executed. Warwick folklore says that his ghost, and a horse, can still be seen on the road he was taken along.

What to look for

• Look along the road as it runs toward the castle and picture the route that Gaveston is said to have taken on his last journey.
• Notice how the castle's walls and towers loom over the nearby streets, which explains why a prisoner here would feel the weight of the earl's power.
• Take in the older buildings along Mill Street, which give the approach its atmosphere, especially in quiet moments.
• Think about Blacklow Hill, the place of execution outside the town, and how far it lies from where you are standing.

Tips for your visit

• You only need a few minutes here to take in the spot and read about its story, so it works well as one stop on a longer walk.
• Visit early in the morning or in the evening, when the street is quieter and the ghost story feels more fitting.
• Warwick Castle and the town centre are close by, so you can easily combine this with other sights. Check current opening hours if you plan to go into the castle.
• This is a public street, so you can see it from outside at any time, but take care of traffic and other pedestrians.

See it on a quest

The Old Castle Entrance is a stop on Dark Warwick: Ghosts, Crime & Legends Walking Tour & Escape Game. You reach it on foot as one stop of a longer route through the area, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle on the spot. It suits a story like Gaveston's well, because you stand where the legend happened rather than just reading about it. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join.