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Thank you – The Open Arms

by Damien Walmsley Posted on
The Open Arms at Warwick Castle

I read the email twice.  The Open Arms at Warwick Castle were offering a free table due to the weather being a bit miserable during our last visit.  My daughter, Natasha, was very excited as she was unable to go to the last one and without a moment’s hesitation the family said yes.  Let’s go again.

  • The Open Arms at Warwick Castle
    Strawberry Waffle
  • The Open Arms at Warwick Castle
    The Grub Shack
  • The Open Arms at Warwick Castle
    Brisket and beer
  • The Open Arms at Warwick Castle
    Queuing up for food
  • The Open Arms at Warwick Castle
    Yardbirds
  • The Open Arms at Warwick Castle
    Waffles
The variety of food on offer

When we arrived, the tables were set out along the castle moat looking up to the walls.  My grandson was as excited as his mother and posed for pictures.  The food outlets were different to before and my wife Sandy missed the Steak and Chips outlet.  She did chose a simple chicken and chips from Yardbirds.  Natasha and I went for the Brisket from the Grub shed.  Initially disappointed as some of their items were unavailable our disappointment turned to happiness at the quality of the food and its presentation. My grandson was very pleased with a bucket of chips from the Burgers stall.  All the outlet food looked scrumptious, and it is a pity that you must make one choice from so many choices!  

Following the main course, I was brave and went for a strawberry topped waffle.  My grandson so enjoyed watching it be made, with the cream and chopped strawberries.  The beer was Purity of course so no complaints there!

The Open Arms at Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle

Thank you to Harry Jenkins, Head of Marketing of the Digbeth Dining Club for allowing us the opportunity to visit so soon after the first time.   The weather was fine and there was some sunshine as well.  The castle walls add to the atmosphere, and I would thoroughly recommend the experience but then I am a big fan can’t you tell!

The Open Arms at Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle
Categories blog

The Open Arms

by Damien Walmsley Posted on
The Open Arms

The pandemic has started a trend for outdoor eating with many different venues coming up with novel ways to make the experience more enjoyable.  Last year, I saw the pictures of the Open Arms at Warwick Castle.  What an iconic place to enjoy a drink and something to eat.  Further reading revealed that the Digbeth Dining Company were involved and then I knew the quality of the food would be good.  Add in that the beer is supplied by local brewery Purity then my mind was made up.  I did my homework and found out that it was just under £20 to book a table for 6 people. 

The Open Arms
Onwards towards the table
The Open Arms
The steak was cooked to perfection
The open Arms
Burgers galore
The Open Arms
Lots of Spicy Foods as well
  • The Open Arms
    Asian delight
  • The Open Arms
    Tasty Steak and Chips
Nicely presented food to take to the table

The food is brought at the DDC outlets and there is table service for the drinks.  What could stop me?  The inclement English weather for one thing, and I thought an evening in June should be OK as I booked the table online for family and friends evening.  Nervously checking the weather forecast the heat broke and there was rain.  Fortunately, it cleared up and the venue gave the green light.  The Open Arms are very good as they will let you know if there are problems and although it can’t be helped any rebooking is a disappointment.  However, it is something you have to expect with open dining not everything in this world is predictable.

  • The Open Arms
    Jack’s Shack
  • The Open Arms
    Urban Cheesecake
Desert and Coffee

Parking is in the Castle grounds for a nominal fee and then there is a security check to go through.  We were in the Castle Courtyard and having ordered drinks we checked out the food outlets.  The quality of the food is excellent and there is a range catering from vegans to meat lovers.  Our party enjoyed a range of food from steak and chips to the Asian food offering.  No one was disappointed and the food presentation and quality was good.  The price of the meals ranged from £10 to 15.  Deserts were from the cheesecake outlet and I treated myself to a Guardians of the Galaxy chocolate fantasia followed by Coffee.  Drinks were served promptly and Longhorn IPA, Bunny Hop and Lawless larger which are part of the Purity family were available.  There were red and white house wines available plus non-alcoholic drinks. 

The Open Arms
Guardians of the Glaxy

What made the evening so enjoyable was eating in the Warwick castle courtyard.  What would the past inhabitants make of all the common peasants eating in their backyard.  Quite a thought.  There was a special patrol through the tables by the local head peacock who made sure everyone was enjoying themselves.  As it gets darker, the castle walls are lit up in different colours.  Then it is time to go as our carriages wait for us.  The evening was even better than I expected with good food and ale and company of family and friends.  This experience is being repeated at various venues across the West Midlands.  Just think before Covid19, would we have even given such an idea a second thought.  Now we realise that it is such a fun experience why did we not think of it before. Looking at the DDC site, there are other iconic venues including the site of Coventry Cathedral to visit.  Let’s just hope we have a sunny evening!

The Open Arms
The Castle Courtyard
The Open Arms
Peacock Patrol
The Open Arms
Damien and Sandy enjoying the Open Arms
The Open Arms
Over the moat to the courtyard

If you want to make a weekend of it, why not visit Warwick and my blog provides links to the Streets of Warwick and Lord Leycester’s Hospital which are well worth a visit.