REVIEW: ANYTHING that gets children no matter how young or old excited about history has got to be a good thing and Warwick Castle does just that.

Billed as Britain's ultimate castle, Warwick is a beautiful, interesting and well-restored monument - more than £20 million has been spent on it over the last four decades while those in charge are pumping an extra £250,000 in every year from now on - which offers something more.

As we entered the central courtyard a Mediaeval world awaited and the place was buzzing with young families, friends and couples keen to walk the walls, climb the towers and delve into the depths of the dungeon.

The great hall, chapel and state rooms shed some light on the castle as well as the people who lived there and visited.

While hardcore historians might be left wanting more information at points the short descriptions about rooms, artefacts and historical figures are a good way to keep the younger audience interested.

And it is they who this castle is really geared up to - you only have to take a look at the name of the Princess Tower and watch the small army of actors in full flow to realise that - but there is plenty for adults to enjoy as well.

We particularly enjoyed the Secrets and Scandals of the Royal Wedding Party exhibition which is set during the Countess of Warwick's high profile event in 1898. It really brought the lives and loves of the aristocrats to life.

Elsewhere you can step back in time and join Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick and kingmaker, as he gets ready for the Battle of Barnet in 1471 while the castle's dark and dingy jail is also worth a look.

If you want to take a break then a stroll through the grounds with the peacocks is a must and while a walk along the walls and up the towers is not for the faint-hearted - there are more than 500 steps - the views of the castle and Warwick itself are well worth it; you can almost hear the hoards of horses galloping across the fields as knights in shining armour prepare for battle.

All of this comes at a price, of course.

Adults pay £16.80, excluding the dungeon, on the door and family tickets (two adults and two children) cost £56.40.

Reduced prices are available if you book online.

A word of warning: that does not include the £5 charge to get your vehicle out of the car park.

So it is not a cheap day out but the fact we spent three hours busily wondering around the castle and its grounds (we didn't have the time or energy to go in the dungeon) on a dull Saturday in February says something but I suspect seeing large groups of youngsters equally enthralled and entertained by the whole experience probably says more.