Warwick

Set above a sweeping bend in the River Avon, Warwick is the county town of Warwickshire and one of the finest historic market towns in England. Founded by the Saxons in the 6th century, Warwick grew in importance during the Middle Ages and was granted a charter by King John in 1216. The town that stands today carries that extraordinary depth of history in almost every street to give Warwick a remarkably rich architectural character, moving seamlessly from timber-framed medieval buildings to Georgian brick frontages and back again. Warwick is a traditional market town and it retains a unique individuality.

Plus, there’s plenty of independent shops, fine restaurants and traditional pubs lining streets that have been in continuous use for a thousand years.

Warwick's highlights

Warwick Castle

Experience more than 1,100 years of jaw-dropping history at Warwick Castle with dazzling shows and attractions, heaps of gruesome history and awesome birds of prey, all set within 64 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens. The first castle was a simple wooden motte and bailey structure erected in 1068 under the orders of William the Conqueror and went on to become one of the grandest medieval castles in the land, home to the powerful Earls of Warwick. The castle played a defining role in the Wars of the Roses, the English Civil War and the story of Robert Dudley and Elizabeth I. Today it remains one of the most visited historic attractions in the country.

Lord Leycester Hospital

The Lord Leycester is one of Europe's most important medieval buildings and has been a home to the Master and Brethren for over 450 years. Robert Dudley, Earl of Leycester - Queen Elizabeth's close friend - was given the site by the Guildsmen to create a place of sanctuary for fallen and deserving warriors known as the Brethren. That tradition has continued without interruption ever since with the resident Brethren conducting guided tours of the building and gardens while dressed in their ceremonial uniforms. Historic visitors to the Hospital have included Oscar Wilde, Edward Elgar and Dante Gabriel Rossetti and a cream tea in the Great Hall Café, beneath centuries-old oak beams, remains one of Warwick's most pleasurable experiences.

Market Hall Museum

The Market Hall Museum is located right in the heart of the town in the 17th century Market Hall, with free admission and exhibitions telling the story of Warwickshire. Highlights of the collection include the infamous Warwickshire Bear, a large Roman coin hoard and a remarkable 16th century Sheldon Tapestry Map of the county. A short walk away, St John's House Museum offers a more intimate look at Warwickshire social history across the centuries, including Victorian room settings and the story of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment — also free to enter.

St Nicholas Park

St Nicholas Park is the place to pack a picnic before heading for a stroll along the River Avon, with formal gardens, play areas and wide lawns stretching down to the water's edge. Rowing and motor boats are available for hire from Warwick Boats throughout the summer.

Warwick's medieval and saxon roots

The town was founded in 914 by Ethelfleda, sister of Edward the Elder and daughter of Alfred the Great, as a fortified burh to defend against incursions - a location chosen for its commanding position above a bend in the River Avon. Its importance was enhanced when William the Conqueror built his motte and bailey castle here in 1068, and the town grew steadily in influence as the seat of the powerful Earls of Warwick throughout the medieval period. The Great Fire of 1694 reshaped much of its fabric, but the survival of the castle, St Mary's Church, Lord Leycester Hospital and the timber-framed buildings of Mill Street means that Warwick remains, visually and historically, a fascinating town to visit.

Insider tips

The Mill Garden, accessible from Mill Street below the castle walls, offers one of the most breathtaking views in England with the castle looming above the River Avon.
Climb the tower of St Mary's Church for a bird's eye view of Warwick, the castle, the river, and the historic town buildings The effort is modest and the reward is considerable.
Warwick hosts a lively events programme every year, celebrating the town's rich heritage and showcasing its unique venues. Check out what’s on at Shakespeare’s England.
Mill Street, just to the left of the castle entrance, was one of the few areas to survive the Great Fire of 1694 and is lined with particularly attractive timber-framed houses.
Walk down the Grand Union Canal to the magnificent Hatton Locks - a fabulous feat in waterway engineering history. It's easy to appreciate why Hatton's 21 locks are called the Stairway to Heaven, watching them lift narrowboats up the steep Avon Valley from Warwick.

Getting here

By rail

Use Warwick Town station for visiting Warwick Castle and the town centre - direct trains are available from Birmingham, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, Banbury and London Marylebone. Warwick Parkway station is approximately two miles from the town centre and is best suited for those arriving by car from the motorway and continuing into town by bus or taxi.

By bus

Regular bus routes connect Warwick with Royal Leamington Spa, Kenilworth, Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry, and the surrounding villages, making it easy to combine a visit to Warwick with the wider county. Charlecote Park is also served by bus from Warwick's bus station.

By car

Warwick is easily accessible from the M40 and A46 with junction 15 of the M40 just a short drive away. Town centre and Warwick Castle car parks are well signposted on approach.

Walking and cycling

The countryside around Warwick is magnificent walking territory. The River Avon and the Grand Union Canal both offer easy, flat waterside routes from the town centre, while the Hatton flight of locks to the north-west and Charlecote Park to the south-east make rewarding half-day walking destinations. The following long-distance routes pass through or close to Warwick:

Warwickshire Centenary Way

After exploring Warwick Castle, the Centenary Way follows the River Avon to St Nicholas Park - a 40-acre riverside park with formal gardens, wide lawns and a tea room - before continuing along the river to Emscote, where it joins the Grand Union Canal towpath. The route is well waymarked with a green and white disc picturing a bear, and the Warwick section offers some of the most varied and scenically rewarding walking on the entire 100-mile trail.

Shakespeare's Avon Way

Shakespeare's Avon Way passes through Warwick on its journey following the River Avon from its source near Naseby to its confluence with the Severn at Tewkesbury. Pick it up at the riverbank at St Nicholas Park - connecting the town southward towards Barford, Charlecote and eventually Stratford-upon-Avon for those wanting to follow the river all the way to Shakespeare's birthplace.

Grand Union Canal Walk

The Grand Union Canal Walk follows the towpath of Britain's longest canal from London to Birmingham, passing through the heart of Warwick. Not to be missed is the famous flight of 21 locks at Hatton, known as the Stairway to Heaven.

Route 52

National Route 52 of the National Cycle Network will run north from Warwick through Coventry, Nuneaton and Coalville to link with National Route 6 just west of Loughborough.

To discover more things to do and explore in and around Warwick, take a look at the Visit Warwick’s website.