THE OWNERS of the iconic Midlands visitor attraction Warwick Castle are investing £1 million this year on restoration work at the 1,003-year-old landmark as part of an ongoing programme to preserve and maintain it for the future.

The castle, first established by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, continues to attract visitors from all over the world and plays an important role in the culture and economy of the region.

The work will include stonemasonry on the castle towers, ramparts and main house, plus fire safety work in public areas. The Boathouse on River Island will also be restored to full use as a venue for celebrations, weddings and corporate events.

It is due to open in early May and will be available for guests to use during the summer.

The owners, Merlin Entertainments, have already invested £6 million on the restoration of the South Front, which faces the River Avon.

Investment in the castle is ongoing and last year saw the restoration of the trebuchet (a mediaeval siege weapon or sling for flinging projectiles weighing up to 350 pounds at or into enemy fortifications) along with the £5 million launch of the Knight’s Village, enabling the castle to offer year-round accommodation, welcoming up to 20,000 overnight guests each year.

Nick Blofeld, divisional director at Warwick Castle, said: “We are privileged to be custodians of such an important historic landmark and place the maintenance and preservation of the castle at the heart of everything we do.

“The original Boathouse was part of the fabric of the castle and we are therefore delighted that we can restore it in a way that remains true to its original form, whilst also providing a space that our visitors can enjoy.”

The Boathouse, built in 1895 to house the then Earl of Warwick’s electric river launches, was destroyed by fire in April 2015 and Warwick Castle has engaged a team of Herefordshire-based craftsmen to ensure the new solid oak structure is as authentic as possible.

Blofeld said: “Our new over-water function room is being built by hand, using 150 pieces of timber and traditional mortise and tenon methods that would have been familiar to Victorian joiners.”

For further information and to book a castle visit, see www.warwick-castle.com.

• Attacked in 1264, besieged in 1642 and damage by fire in 1871, the castle has a chequered history. It remained under the stewardship of the Earls of Warwick and later the Greville family as a private home until 1978. The property was then taken over by The Tussauds Group, which later became Merlin Entertainments Group in 2007 and remains under their guardianship today.

• Today the castle provides a heritage spectacle where families can step back through the centuries and enjoy the magic and mystery of mediaeval life with jousting displays, archery, falconry, tours of the castle rooms, special events and much more.