Alcester Nr Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire B49 6NF United Kingdom
Tel: 01789 279955
Fax: 01789 764145
Apr - Oct 2009 (annual)
Cost: Various - according to time of year - please visit the castle's website for exact details
Hours: Trebuchet fired twice daily: 11.30am & 4.30pm
A trebuchet is a medieval siege machine, capable of throwing huge projectiles over castle walls. At Warwick Castle, visitors can see one in action twice a day, by the river against the South Front.
Taking a team of eight half-an-hour to prepare for firing, the trebuchet - which is 18 metres high and weights a hefty 22 tonnes - throws its projectile away from the castle, some 250 metres over to River Island. The vast wooden machinery flings its load some 25 metres into the air, so passing pigeons beware!
Warwick Castle