There has been a fortified settlement beside the River Avon at Warwick since Saxon times. Much of the Castle’s rich history has survived to this century; medieval defensive walls, gates, towers and earthworks; residential improvements by the Earls of Warwick and Lancelot Brown landscaping dating from the eighteenth century; and the Anthony Salvin modifications of the nineteenth century, combine to present an inheritance of great sociological, architectural and historic interest. Since November 1978, when the site was sold to Madam Tussauds by the thirty seventh Earl of Warwick, the Castle has been transformed into one of the nation’s premier attractions, catering for just under one million visitors per annum and is now owned by Merlin Entertainments Group. As the appointed architects, Rodney Melville and Partners have for over two decades worked with the owners, enhancing the revenue earning potential of the attraction whilst ensuring that alterations, additions and repairs to the historic fabric are carried out in a manner befitting a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade I listed building. Significant contracts have included the repair of previously disused areas such as the medieval undercroft for exhibitions, repair and reinstatement of the Conservatory, conservation of decorative finishes in the Chapel, masonry repairs to Caesar’s Tower, the conversion of part of the Stables to form a new restaurant and the repair and reinstatement of the Mill and Engine House. With the Castle open 364 days a year, works have to be carefully programmed to minimise inconvenience to visitors. In addition to ongoing maintenance and repairs, further works scheduled to be undertaken in the near future include the design of additional visitor facilities, the repair and consolidation of the Old Town Bridge and the fifth phase of South Front masonry repairs incorporating conservation of the ferramenta, leadwork and joinery of the windows. This particular £2 million project relates to fabric repairs, masonry repair and renewal to open new visitor routes, and repair and reinstatement of the Mill and Engine House.