Warwick
This small market town is of great historical significance, mostly renowned for its magnificent castle, which is one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in the nation.
Warwick Market Place © Travel
About Britain
Warwick town centre contains an attractive mix of medieval and Georgian architecture. Two gates (Westgate and Eastgate), plus parts of the 12th-c town walls still remain. The pinnacled steeple of St Mary's Church towers above the town with its glorious Beauchamp Chapel below. The Church has monuments to the Earls of Warwick and Leicester. Other important buildings include the well-preserved alms houses of the Lord Leycester Hospital, the 17th century St John's House, the Warwickshire Museum, also the Italianate style 18th century Court House and the medieval buildings of Mill Street.
The large town park, located alongside the River Avon, is a peaceful place to walk. Here you can play giant chess, crazy golf or 'pitch n put' in the summer months. Boats are available for hire from the river bank, from where you can row under the town bridge, and right up to the weir below the castle. Near the weir, alongside the castle, is an old water mill that was used for nearly 600 years to grind grain. Today that same hydro power is harnessed by the Engine House to generate power for the Castle.
A walk down medieval Mill Street will bring you to the quaint 'Mill Gardens', located just below the castle walls. A lovely informal cottage garden, which is open to the public in the spring and summer, at a small charge. A tranquil place to sit and enjoy views of the towering castle battlements, reflected in the River Avon below.
Tourist Information Centre: |
The Court House, Jury Street, Warwick CV34 4EW - Tel: 01926 492212 |
Places of interest to visit in Warwick
Warwick Castle
Set high on a grassy embankment, with its mighty turrets, ramparts and crenellated walls; Warwick Castle is everyone's dream of a medieval castle. This impressive fortress was the seat of power for the Earls of Warwick, until 1978, when it was brought by Madame Tussauds. A visit to the castle is well worth suffering the longs queues to get in, where you can see the magnificent state rooms and dungeons with grisly torture instruments. Also the silver vault, ghost tower, and the extensive Avon-side grounds, that were originally landscaped by Capability Brown. Exhibitions include the Kingmaker, Death or Glory and Birds of Prey.
Opening times: all year (exc. Xmas), daily 10am - 6pm (5pm Nov-Mar) - Admission Charge
Location: Warwick, Warwickshire CV34 4QU
Tel: 0871 265 2000
Website: warwick-castle.com
Book Tickets Online: Attractiontix
Warwickshire Museum
Located in the Market Hall (circa 1670) has displays of local geology, giant fossils, local history and the natural
history of Warwickshire, including the famous Sheldon Tapestry Map.
Opening times: Tue-Sat 10am - 5pm Admission Free
Location: Market Hall, Market Place, Warwick, CV34 4SA - Tel: 01926 412500 or 412501
Oken's House
This small house built around 1550, contains a fascinating Doll Museum.
Opening times: Mon-Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 11am - 5pm. Admission Charge
Location: Oken's House, Castle Street, Warwick, CV34 4BP
St John's House
This 17th-c house, located near the park, contains a museum of reconstructed Victorian rooms which exhibit crafts, costume and period furniture. The upper floors house museum of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
Opening times: Tue-Sat 10am - 5pm (all year), Sun 2.30pm - 5pm (Apr-Sep only) Admission Free
Location: St John's, Warwick, CV34 4NF - Tel: 01926 412021
Lord Leycester's Hospital
This group of timber-framed dwellings, which lean precariously over a cobbled pavement near the Westgate, were originally built as a guildhall in 1383. The halls were converted to almshouses in 1571 by Lord Leycester. The buildings have featured in several films and TV series including, Elizabeth the Virgin Queen, Pride and Prejudice and Moll Flanders.
Opening times: Tue-Sun & BHs 10am to 5pm.
Admission Charge
Location: 60 High Street, Warwick, CV34 4BH
Tel: 01926 491422
Map of Warwick
The Midlands
Towns and Villages in Warwickshire
Warwickshire: Atherstone,
Bedworth,
Coleshill,
Leamington,
Nuneaton,
Rugby,
Stratford-upon-Avon,
Warwick
West Midlands: Birmingham, Coventry
Attractions in Warwickshire
Anne Hathaway's Cottage | Arbury Hall | Baddesley Clinton | Charlecote Park | Edgehill | Escape Experience | Kenilworth Castle | Packwood House | Ragley Hall | Royal Shakespeare Theatre | Stoneleigh Abbey | Warwick Castle