Southam

Southam has a notable connection to the English Civil War, as it was the site of what is considered the first skirmish of the conflict. On 23 August 1642, both Parliamentarian and Royalist forces passed through the town, marking Southam’s early involvement in the war. Its strategic position at the junction of major routes including the historic Welsh Road used by drovers for centuries made it a valuable stopping point for troops on the move. This brief but significant encounter placed Southam on the national stage at the very outset of the Civil War, shaping part of the town’s rich historical narrative.

Southam also has a direct historical association with King Charles I, who is said to have stayed at the Old Manor House during this period, reinforcing the town’s close links to the early movements of the war. The Old Manor House, located on Market Hill in the centre of the town, is a 16th‑century Grade II–listed building. Today, it’s a functional town with some independent retail and cafes.

Southam’s highlights

The Holy Well 

On the western edge of Southam, a short walk from the town centre along the River Stowe, you’ll find Southam’s Holy Well. Recorded since 998 AD, it is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is Grade II listed. Believed to predate the Domesday Book, it is among the oldest recorded holy wells in England. The natural spring was historically associated with healing and sits at the end of a peaceful circular walk of around an hour from the town centre, taking in Stoneythorpe Hall and surrounding farmland.

Back in the town centre, the Holy Well is also celebrated as part of the Southam Stories trail, through a contemporary art installation that interprets the town’s heritage and folklore, linking past and present in a way that adds an engaging, family-friendly dimension to exploring Southam.

The Olde Mint 

One of the most characterful buildings in the town centre, the Olde Mint on Coventry Street dates from the early 16th century and carries a remarkable story. Southam minted its own coins in medieval times - ordinary coins being too high in value for everyday local use - and during the Civil War King Charles I is said to have used the building to melt down silver and strike coins to pay his troops. Look closely at the stone doorway and you will see grooves worn into it, believed to be left by soldiers sharpening their swords. Nowadays, the building is a public house.

The Southam Heritage Collection 

Tucked away at Tithe Place on the High Street, the Southam Heritage Collection holds more than 10,000 artefacts and documents spanning the town’s long history - from its medieval market origins and droving past to its Civil War connections and industrial development. Run by knowledgeable volunteers, it consistently surprises visitors with the depth and range of its stories. Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings - no need to book, just drop in.

The Blue Lias Inn, Stockton 

A few minutes from Southam, beside the Grand Union Canal between Stockton and Long Itchington, the Blue Lias Inn is one of those places that is difficult to leave in a hurry. Originally an 18th‑century farmhouse, it became a canal inn serving early waterway travellers. It takes its name from the local Blue Lias limestone, a Jurassic rock rich in fossils. Today, it remains a popular meeting point for classic car and motorcycle enthusiasts and offers on-site camping with easy access to the Grand Union Canal, making it a characterful base for exploring the surrounding countryside at a slower pace.

Chesterton Windmill

Just fifteen minutes from the town centre, Chesterton Windmill is a Grade I listed tower mill built around 1632 for Sir Edward Peyto. Standing on an open hilltop on six stone arches - so unusual that early observers mistook it for an observatory - it is now recognised as the earliest tower mill in England to retain working machinery. Accessible year-round, it offers far-reaching views across south Warwickshire.

Dallas Burston Polo Club & Stoneythorpe Estate

The Dallas Burston Polo Club, Stoneythorpe Estate, near Southam, is one of the most impressive leisure and events venues in the region, offering a combination of scale, quality and versatility. Set within beautifully maintained grounds, the estate is home to ILX Events, whose purpose-built facilities host everything from large-scale public events and corporate functions to weddings, exhibitions and equestrian and camping events. The estate also includes a collection of high-quality accommodation lodges, creating a well-rounded destination for both leisure and business visitors. From Southam, the site can be reached on foot via a network of public rights of way, linking town and countryside.

Located within the same estate, The Millstone Hare offers a refined yet relaxed dining experience, with a strong reputation for quality. Its modern British menu focuses on seasonal ingredients and thoughtful presentation, complementing the wider, high-quality offer of the estate.

Skylark Farm & motoring connections

Skylark Farm, a short drive from Southam, adds a different but equally compelling dimension to the local offer. Home to Pistons and Rings café, it is well known for its popular breakfast car meets, drawing enthusiasts from across the region. Set in an elevated position, the site enjoys commanding views across to Southam, creating an atmospheric setting for informal gatherings.

British Motor Museum

For those with a deeper interest in motoring, the nearby British Motor Museum at Gaydon is one of the UK’s leading automotive heritage attractions. Closer to town, the Blue Lias Inn continues to attract informal meets, while Fat Bobs offers a more specialist draw, with its unique collection of American vehicles and memorabilia creating a small but characterful museum-like experience.

Insider tips

• Walk the Holy Well trail out of town along the River Stowe - the natural spring, believed to be among the oldest recorded holy wells in England. 
• Follow the Southam Stories trail, including the Holy Well installation in the town centre, for a creative interpretation of local history.
• Download the Southam Heritage Walk podcast before you arrive to bring the town to life.
• Read the information boards in car parks—each tells the story of that part of town.
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• The information boards in each of the town's car parks are worth reading too - each one tells the story of that particular part of town. All public car parking in Southam is free of charge. 
• Visit Draycote Water reservoir, just a few minutes' drive away - a fine spot for a walk, a cycle or simply to sit and watch the water. 
• Head to Burton Dassett Hills for some of the finest scenery in the county 
• All public car parking in Southam is free of charge so there’s no need to rush.

Getting here

By rail

The nearest railway station is Royal Leamington Spa(15-minute taxi). Warwick Parkway, Rugby, Coventry and Banbury are also nearby.

By BusStagecoach Midlands operates regular services connecting Southam with Leamington Spa, Banbury, Daventry and Rugby. Check timetables in advance at the Stagecoach website or via Warwickshire County Council's bus timetable pages. 

By car

Close to M40 (J12) and accessible via M1 (J16/17). Around 10 miles from Leamington Spa.

Walking and cycling

The countryside around Southam rewards those who take time to explore it on foot or by bike. The following long-distance walking and cycling routes pass through or close to the town:

Heart of England Way 

The Heart of England Way follows a curving 101-mile route through gently undulating farmland, woodland and riverside paths from Cannock Chase in the north to Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds. The way passes close to Southam, connecting the town to some of the most attractive walking country in the southern Midlands.

The Harry Green Way 

The Harry Green Way is a 21-mile circular walk linking eight villages around Southam, devised in 1988 by Harry Green, long-serving chairman of the Southam Ramblers. Starting and finishing in the town, the route takes in the gentle Feldon countryside, quiet lanes and the villages that have shaped the character of this part of south Warwickshire. A natural choice for anyone based in Southam who wants a full day's walking on well-established paths. 

National Cycle Route 48 

National Cycle Route 48 runs from Tetbury and Cirencester northward through the Cotswolds to Moreton-in-Marsh, Shipston-on-Stour and on to Southam, passing through Burton Dassett Hills Country Park along the way. The 28-mile signed route between Shipston-on-Stour and Southam travels through the landscapes of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Warwickshire Feldon, with an optional spur to Burton Dassett Hills offering some of the finest views in the county. The route is signed in both directions and includes intermediate loops for shorter rides.

National Cycle Route 41 

National Cycle Route 41 runs from Bristol to Rugby, passing through Warwickshire and linking with Route 48 near Southam. The Warwickshire stretch follows quiet country roads and sections of the Grand Union Canal towpath, connecting Southam to Leamington Spa, Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon to the west and Rugby to the north.

Discover more

To discover more things to do and explore in and around Southam, take a look at Southam's website.