Medieval Times - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - Adventure Castle

Medieval Times is a castle situated at Fantasy Way in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina just off Highway 501 at the entrance to Free Style MusicPark. It is approximately a 10 minute drive from the beach and Broadway at the Beach and there is free parking on site. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament began inSpain , but the concept has now spread to nine castles across the UnitedStates and Canada, including this one at Myrtle Beach.

Medieval Times takes the guests back to 11th century Spain and was first introduced as an entertainment on the Spanish island of Majorca back in 1973 before spreading to North America ten years later. It was inspired by the tradition of royal families inviting guests to a festival and banquet to watch the knights compete against each other on horseback. The castle at Myrtle Beach opened in 1995, and here as with the other castles, the weapons such as lances and bolas, and the costumes don't change but the story lines and characters are always evolving.

As visitors arrive at the castle they are given a crown to wear with a special color on it. This signifies which knight the guest has been assigned to, and as such they are seated in a specific area of the arena where they can cheer and support their knight. There are six knights at the castle and their colors are Yellow, Red, Black and White, Blue, Red and Yellow and Green.

The entertainment takes place as guests tuck in to a four-course meal that includes soup, roast chicken, spare ribs, apple pastry and hot or cold drinks, whilst there is also a vegetarian option if required. Food is served as it would have been in medieval times, which means no cutlery and just the use of hands. The entertainment comes in the form of horse riding with clever stunts, jousting and the big competition between the six knights, who are all fighting for the hand of the beautiful Princess Leonore under the watchful eye of King Philippe.

The owning company raises most of their 400 horses at Medieval Times' Chapel Creek Ranch in Sanger, Texas. Their breeds include Friesians and Menorcans and Spanish Andalusians, with the latter a horse revered by medieval royalty for its great strength, agility and temperament. The horses do not move to the other castles until the age of three where they are taught advanced-level dressage until they are ready for public performances.

Another feature of the show sees the Royal Falconer displaying his birds of prey as the tournament includes a live flight of the royal falcon, soaring over the heads of the guests. Visitors over the age of 13 can sign up to the Birthday Fellowship, which enables them to go to the castle on their birthday and enjoy the banquet and tournament for free. There are many other attractions close to the castle, especially golf courses, and also several hotels including Harbour Lights Resort and the Holiday Inn at Myrtle Beach.