Warwick Castle

After passing through the hands of 20 more earls (and three more creations of the title), Warwick Castle became a member of the Treasure Houses of England, a heritage consortium founded in the early 1970s by ten of the foremost stately homes in England still in private ownership with the aim of marketing and promoting themselves as tourist venues. In 1978, Warwick Castle was sold to Tussauds, a large visitor attraction business. Tussauds performed extensive restorations to the castle and grounds in addition to opening its gates to the public.

In May 2007 Tussauds was purchased by Merlin Entertainments who continue to operate the castle on a lease, having sold the freehold to Nick Leslau's Prestubury Group on 17 July 2007.

Currently Warwick Castle houses the only working scale model trebuchet in the world as well as many other attractions. The trebuchet is fired by members of the public under professional supervision. It stands 19 m tall and uses a 6-tonne counterweight to fire 15 kg stone balls distances exceeding several hundred feet. Other attractions include "Warwick, Ghosts Alive," "Winged Warriors" (a bird show, featuring bald eagles, vultures, and hawlks), a bowmen show, and "Kingmaker." The cost per person is £15, but group rates are available. Inside the castle grounds, there are numerous food stalls and the castle has been made into a sort of amusment park.