Warwick Castle - Castle Dungeon. How scary ?

[NomDePlume]

Planning to take DD to Warwick Castle at some point soon, maybe this holiday, maybe Whit week. I'm wondering whether to do the Castle Dungeon with her too.

Warwick Castle's write up is thus..

"Warwick Castle has witnessed some of the darkest, bloodiest and most frightening times in history.
This new experience is set to echo part of the Castle's past, taking you back to 1345, when the town was gripped by the plague.

In true Dungeon style, gore seekers will be greeted by decaying bodies, chanting monks, torture implements, execution and ?the labyrinth of lost souls? - a fantastic scary mirror maze"

The website says it 'may not be suitable for children under 10 years'. She is 8 in August and isn't a particularly sensitive child where 'scary' things are concerned. It costs and extra £6 each to see the dungeon as well so I don't want to pay the money and find that DD is terrified! The write up sounds a bit scary but they admit children under 10 (it seems to be at parental discretion aside from babies and toddlers)

Have you been with your child and what did they make of it?
Too scary ?
Are they sensitive or pretty average like DD ?

TIA

I might be going there soon, on my own.

I went to a castle up north that had recreated dungeon scenes in their dungeon. I'm mid 30s and it gave me the willies! The sight of somebody about to apply a red hot poker to another person isn't that nice. I knew what went on, but being there and seeing the waxworks brings it to life a bit too well.

Thanks Tiggy

Anyone taken kids under 10 ?

We found the extra charge to enter the dungeon so scary we didn't bother!

If it is anything like the London Dungeon, also run by Merlin, and with the same 'disclaimer' line, I wouldn't take an almost 8 yo. We had to take DS, 8.5, out of the London Dungeon, it was seriously nasty. Demonstrations of genuine ancient torture instruments designed to castrate, rip out tongues...blood squirting everywhere in medical scenes, not just scary in a funny scary way but unpleasant.

Really does depend on the child. Personally I get the heebies in there but DH has loved it since a child. There is one tiny hole in the ground where they used to put people that always gives me the creeps, just imagining it. Shudder.

Hmm, yes. Good point Blu. I have been to the LD (pre DD) and it was close to the bone. I think we will give it a miss, in that case.

argh missed lilred's post. I don't think the dungeon has been like this since your DH was a kid, lilred. It has been given the Hollywood treatment, lots of gore and nothing left to the imagination.

It's a few years since we have been but there was nothing like the York Dungeon (and I presume London). No spurting blood and gore, just the dungeon and torture implements, which I actually found creepier.

I did the London one, was very creepy and gruesome, a few kids became hysterical and had to be taken out a side door. IMO not for those under 12 or sensitive children.

x-posts. Sorry - didn't realise they'd done that.

I think I have made up my mind. Tough nut or not, it sounds too much for a 7.5yo and I had totally missed the Merlin connection to London Dungeon so I imagine it to be on a similarly inappropriate level.

It sounds like a replica of the LD - the LD has a 'labyrinth of lost souls' too - actually the only part Ds enjoyed - it's great - a mirror maze.

Just looked at the website and I must say I wouldn't.

We go to the castle frequently and have never felt the need to pay to go into the Dungeon. If you haven't been before the ramparts walk will keep you occupied for long enough, I think.

If you are going in soon can I recommend Oken Tea Rooms which is situated just outside the Castle walls? They do great cream teas and cakes and if you ask on the gate for a stamp you can re-enter the Castle.

Have fun!