'I took my kids to the Realm of Zog at Warwick Castle and they were delighted'

Fans of Julia Donaldson's accident-prone orange dragon Zog may be surprised to hear that the much-loved character turns 15 this year.

To celebrate, Warwick Castle invited my husband, my two daughters, and me to explore the magical Realm of Zog, held in the vast and stunning grounds of the 957-year-old fortification.

Arriving at the brand new, medieval-themed Warwick Castle Hotel the evening before, we were treated to a buffet meal in the grand hall before revelling in sword fighting lessons for the kids in front of a wonderful wooden play area, with a sea of luxury tents and woodland lodges behind - pick your preference from these or the hotel 'tower suites'.

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Two brave knights then proceeded to battle for our entertainment, pausing only to allow a (real-life) marriage proposal to take place! There are a number of interactive events for little cavaliers-in-training in the evening, from princess games to a knighting ceremony and a bedtime story at 8pm.

Following a relaxing sleep in our room - the girls in ye olde bunkbeds- and a vast buffet breakfast (book ahead- it's busy), we walked the 10 minutes to the castle. First up was the brand new Zog Playland, where Axel Scheffler’s magical illustrations are brought to life and kids can fly like a dragon on the zip line and explore Princess Pearl's Castle.

Little dragons will be delighted to follow their own Quest For A Golden Star, with my 5 and 8-year-olds thrilled to stamp their Zog cards at each point, all in front of the stunning backdrop of the castle.

After all that star-earning, it was time to settle down and watch the wonderful stage-show, set in the secluded woodland in the castle grounds. Kids can cosy up on beanbags (parents can chill on picnic benches) and watch the thrilling 25-minute long production, with puppetry, laughs and surprise effects that had my daughters spellbound.

And there is not one, but two fantastic productions, with the all-new Zog and the Flying Doctors Live Show taking place at multiple times throughout the day as well.

My 5-year-old, who just happened to be celebrating her own birthday, was delighted to meet Zog himself later in the meet-and-greet, held near the outrageously beautiful conservatory teahouse and gardens.

Both my girls, my husband and I were thrilled to see live peacocks strutting around, a sight that was merely a preamble to the incredible Falconer's Quest, the UK's largest bird of prey show. Sixty stunning birds from all over the globe swoop over the crowds, brushing heads with their wingtips as the narrative about a brave falconer plays out on the river. It is truly an unforgettable experience, and the children were as awestruck as us.

With so much more to see and do at the castle, from the Horrible Histories maze, to a very exciting play that showcases the mighty trebuchet, to a princess-themed mystery experience in one of the towers (perfect for little ones), and -of course- the fascinating history to explore, a whole day can easily whizz by.

Rounding off our wonderful time at Warwick Castle was a special birthday party for Zog, complete with party games, cake, and a dance with Princess Pearl. Parents of Zog superfans can extend their midweek break with a stay at the Warwick Castle Hotel, including a storytime with Princess Pearl and playtime with Zog himself!

Visit www.warwick-castle.com for day tickets from £26 and short breaks from £65.