Top Things to do in Warwickshire
Top Hotels in Warwickshire
- 1. The Old Fourpenny Shop Hotel
- 2. Hotel Indigo Stratford Upon Avon
- 3. Billesley Manor Hotel and Spa
- 4. The Belfry Hotel & Resort
- 5. Premier Inn Stratford Upon Avon Waterways hotel
- 6. Hotel Du Vin Stratford-Upon-Avon
- 7. Swan's Nest Hotel
- 8. Burnside Hotel
- 9. The White Swan Hotel
- 10. Travelodge Regent Hotel Leamington Spa
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Warwickshire, England
Discover the best top things to do in Warwickshire, United Kingdom including Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Anne Hathaway's Cottage & Gardens, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Charlecote Park, Stratford Butterfly Farm, Mary Arden's Farm, Jephson Gardens, The Mill Garden, The MAD Museum, Warwick Castle.
Restaurants in Warwickshire
1. Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,327 reviews
We create theatre at its best, made in Stratford-upon-Avon and shared around the world. We perform Shakespeare’s plays, as well as works by Shakespeare’s contemporaries and plays by today’s writers. We want as many people as possible to be able to access theatre at its best, so we bring our work to the widest possible audience.
Reviewed By Mandpb48 - Hastings, United Kingdom
Well worth booking the discovery ticket you get a really good tour behind the scenes of both the RSC theatre and the Swan, the guide is excellent in his portrait of backstage life, you can really appreciate all the work that is put in for each performance. The tower is worth a visit go up in the lift but walk dow the stairwell the portraits of famous actors going back in time is well worth the walk down. All the staff are friendly and helpful a very enjoyable place to visit
2. Anne Hathaway's Cottage & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,200 reviews
This fifteenth-century, charming thatched cottage was the childhood home of Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's sweet-heart and wife. Experienced guides share tales about the Hathaway family who lived here from the mid-1500s to the early 1900s. There are nine acres of gardens and grounds to explore including a woodland walk, the Shakespeare arboretum and a living willow cabin where you may listen to some of Shakespeare's sonnets.
Reviewed By F12MPpeters - Rome, Italy
Review covers a visit to Anne Hathaway’s family home at Shottery a couple of km outside the commercial centre of Stratford-upon-Avon. William Shakespeare – English poet, actor and playwright and generally considered the best-known writer in the English Language. And here we were briefly exploring the place where the Hathaway Family lived and where, it is reputed that William courted, impregnated and married Anne Hathaway – in that order; the first of three children – Susanna – was born to the couple six months later. William was just 18 at the time and his wife 26. Anne Hathaway’s cottage, in reality the farmhouse where she lived as child that has, since1892 (when it was acquired by the Shakespeare Birth Trust) evolved into today’s tourist icon - part of the Shakespeare Heritage Industry based upon Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare and his work are part of the background of English/Anglo school kids everywhere - those of us who read/learned/explored/acted their Henry V or Much Ado About Nothing or Midsummer Night’s Dream for their school-leaving certificates and/or amateur dramatics and/or because we liked the stories, enjoyed the plays, treasured the history or simply became captured by the language. Following through with an interest in the man and his times is an easy option and more particularly when the weather is fine for exploring glimpses of Tudor England in the 21st century. We had left London early that morning on a elegant train hauled by a period steam locomotive for a day of adventure in the Midlands. At Warwick we switched to coaches with which to follow in ‘William’s footprints’ – although not literally; like most rural people of 400 years ago he would have had to walk everywhere. We had comfortable wheels. It was our first time in the area and things had clearly changed from those original days. Anne Hathaway’s place is now a twelve-roomed farmhouse – so only a ‘cottage’ in the sense that it started small in the 15th century – the lowest/stepped down part of the existing structure. In fact, it was not originally a cottage at all, but an enclosed barn-like hall with an open hearth at centre (and, presumably, a hole in the roof). The original building was converted into a comfortable farmhouse in Shakespeare’s time with the addition of a second floor and a couple of chimney flues – wooden frame, lathe, plaster, fill/cladding and thatched roof. Voilà, here’s your image of a typical English country cottage – robust/efficient/low-cost design that was still being used countrywide through to the early 19th century. By the mid-1700s the structure had doubled in size with the addition of the larger/up slope part of the structure. And, later still, a short brick/wooden framed extension was added to the lower end of the original building. A couple of useful/descriptive wall boards on site provide an easy to follow timeline in pictures over the years. Stand at the highest point in the garden – where there’s an artistic woven seat overlooking the farmhouse, and you can sit and study the flow of the thatched roof over the upper windows; the snug and tidy condition of the entire building. Three chimneys, two of which are internal and centred on the roof line – imagine just how warm the building would have been in winter. Where would the livestock, stored feed and equipment, hand-tools, etc. have been kept? Where did the family store their bulk farm food? There may originally have been 36 ha of farmland, but the cottage today has 4 ha that include orchards, sculpture garden and an arboretum that contains all the trees mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays (so the guide says). We wandered the garden next to the cottage which had a veritable team of gardeners tending the decorative beds, plants and shrubs. This is where you wait your turn for the guided tour of the property – so lots of time in which to enjoy the ambience of the house within its immediate garden. Once inside you follow the guide and her stories through the narrow passageways, around the sharp corners and up (and down) the narrow staircases taking in the different rooms, making sure to clear those low and potentially hazardous roof beams and door lintels where required; people were small in stature in those days. There were beds in the upstairs rooms some with canopies and others without (and, again, small by comparison with today), books open next to the beds described the Hathaway Family’s debt and the early history of the ‘Shakespeare Courting Chair’. There is a robust well-serviced kitchen too on the ground floor with late 19th century images. What you see is what you get – this sanitized glimpse of a family home from the 15th century firmly, if briefly, linked to the life and times of William Shakespeare. And William Shakespeare? Following their marriage the couple went to live in Stratford town, but London eventually dominated his working life. Annual visits kept him in contact with his wife/children who remained in Stratford. He returned after retiring from the stage to spend the final years of his life where he had started … and died in 1616 aged 51. And Anne Hathaway’s cottage? The last of the Hathaway Family – tenants at the time - left the place just over 100 years ago in 1911. Many interesting stories then … of this the world’s most famous English writer … but, we had a train with an iconic English locomotive to catch for our return to London that evening. Peter Steele 27 May 2020
3. Shakespeare's Birthplace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,053 reviews
Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace to walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps and explore the house where he was born and grew up. Hear tales of Shakespeare’s family life, enjoy live theatre on demand and get up close to rare artefacts from the Trust’s world class collections as you discover how the extraordinary William Shakespeare continues to shape our lives today.
Reviewed By F12MPpeters - Rome, Italy
Review covers William Shakespeare’s birthplace, Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. William Shakespeare – English poet, actor and playwright and generally considered the best-known/revered writer in the English Language. And the place where he was born? This is where the bard’s parents – Mary and John Shakespeare lived and where his father ran his workshop - making gloves, trading wool and occasional money-lending. This is where the couple started married life and where William - their eldest and his three brothers and two sisters were raised. (Two older siblings did not survive early childhood.) This is where you can catch a glimpse of what small town life was like in the Midlands of Tudor England >400 years ago. The reality today, of course, is nothing like it was back then. Apart from the example of the house as an isolated dwelling showing how middle-income people lived, the view out through the windows once inside will confirm exactly where you are in time/space. So, there’s that glimpse and then your imagination – house and garden in surroundings that represent modern Britain in all its spectacular heritage industries – the place is renovated, clean, reconstructed to a fault and, probably, with little bearing on the original/separate buildings that now make up the ‘birth-place’. Outside the front of the building the pedestrianized Henley Street was literally awash with ‘Shakespeare’s People’ those, like us, who had been attracted to the town/venue as a result of the admiration and enjoyment that his work has given people worldwide through to the present day. What would a time traveller from the 16th century make of it all? The house is a few steps down Henley Street from the modern Shakespeare Centre and typical of popular design from Tudor times – wooden frame with wattle and daub overlay – painted in beige/earth colour. Someone has, fortuitously, refrained from the more popular but contrasting white & black that seems to typify most buildings of this design/age in ‘tourist land’ nowadays. Four hundred years and the building has enjoyed many kinds of redevelopment and use. There was an informative wall board on hand showing the original/central part of the building with cottages tacked on either end with the kitchen later added at the rear. Eventually the entire building became part of a terrace of houses that stretched along this part of the street. The house became the property of William Shakespeare after the death of his father and was rented to a tenant. For a period, the original main house was converted into an inn. William with his family never lived there, although the house remained within the Shakespeare family through to the end of the 18th century. It was eventually rescued from obscurity and disrepair by the concerted efforts of a group of well-known national figures during the mid-19th century (recognizing the importance of the property to the Shakespeare heritage). Which neatly links into the house that we and many thousands (perhaps hundreds of thousands) have explored in recent (and more distant) times. It was surprisingly spacious - an impression of the enlarged/existing building that dominates to one side of the street behind a low fence of iron railings. Once inside this reflected further in the large size of the different rooms. Everything well-kept, tidy, clean … elegant even. Of course, it should be, except you somehow feel it should also represent the reality of those olden times. Explore inside and walk through the different rooms on both the ground and first floors, with the birth room above the parlour. We followed others through the passageways roped-off from the furnishings in the different rooms – exploring beds, chimney hearths, stairways, views from the windows, the ‘Hall’ where the family ate their main meals (and where a table was set with foods typical of those times) and the neat stone flag flooring – domestic museum par excellence. However, it is the garden at the rear of the house that dominated our visit that afternoon – this is where the majority people were located and where there was theatre, actors, entertainment; that feel of being part of the living heritage that represents Shakespeare and his writings in an original historical context. Look around you – a garden imitating that original design; comfortable, spacious with pathways between raised beds providing easy strolling, stopping and talking, and places at which to sit. During the visit, people were sitting in casual groups following the brief and rapidly changing theatre provided – handful of mainly young people on shallow podiums that put them head/shoulders above the audience – words, action, interaction, applause. Clearly fine-weather activities, but perhaps there are alternative wet-weather venues - for us it was the enthusiastic actors and their stories that provided that sense of history to one side of this 400-year old house in the centre of modern Stratford-upon-Avon. Many interesting features and much theatre then around the Henley Street house that helped provide an introduction to the early times of William Shakespeare - the world’s most famous English writer. But we had a train to catch that afternoon, and one with a gorgeous English steam locomotive attached. We expected to be in London that evening. Contrast this with the same journey that William took each year to keep in contact with his family in Stratford -upon-Avon – six days or more following foot tracks across country.
4. Charlecote Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,484 reviews
Charlecote Park has been home to the Lucy family since the 12th century. Their stories are told throughout the house by their portraits, the objects they collected from around the world and the design influence they had on the house and parkland. See how Mary Elizabeth Lucy remodeled the house in Victorian times. The gardens include a formal parterre, woodland walk and the wider parkland (inspired by 'Capability' Brown), which offer walks with picturesque views across the River Avon. A herd of fallow deer has been in the park since Tudor times.
Reviewed By alipaulwalsall - Stafford, United Kingdom
beautiful setting for a lovely historic house full of interesting historical facts lots of volunteers or guides to enhance the history of all the rooms, beautiful parkland with various walks and lots of deer to see , The Orangery restaurant and the new cafe were lovely and the food exceptional especially the homemade bread with the soup and panninis
5. Stratford Butterfly Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,249 reviews
The UK's largest tropical butterfly paradise! The Butterfly Farm is open in accordance with government regulation and social distancing measures.
Reviewed By F2632RHlisas - Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
Gorgeous just great for families and adults a like just so peaceful I could spend whole day here beautiful butterflies unique and just so lovely delicate little things and food and drink nearby is just perfect for families and the young and old toilets near by ask the staff. The staff are great helpful and friendly
6. Mary Arden's Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,430 reviews
The Farm was the childhood home of Shakespeare's mother. Today you can experience all the sights, sounds and smells of a working Tudor farm, just as it would have been when Shakespeare was a boy. Watch "Tudors" go about their daily routine, see rare breed animals and explore nature trails. There are daily falconry displays and archery at weekends and in school holidays. There is a playground for children from 2 upwards, a picnic area and a cafe. Mary Arden's Farm is a working farm that keeps pace with the season so there is always something new to see and do.The Farm is open seasonally from Easter to the end of October half-term.The Farm is 3 miles from the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon in the village of Wilmcote. There are buses and trains to Wilmcote. The train journey takes 5 minutes and the Farm is a short walk from Wilmcote rail station. It is also a pleasant walk along the canal from the centre of Stratford.
Reviewed By MajaD49 - Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Visited Mary Arden's Tudor Farm on 8 October 2018 and had a fantastic time exploring the farmhouses (both Mary Arden's and also Palmer's farmhouse). Enjoyed speaking to the 'Tudor residents', watching them having a Tudor Farm lunch and questions were welcomed from the visitors. Learnt so many things: that the Tudor people were very superstitious (dead frog in the kitchen window to ward off evil spirits, a small fairy door in the entrance, etc.). Can highly recommend this experiential museum, exploring farming methods in Tudor times, seeing the rare breeds, and we enjoyed a lovely lunch - delicious organic sandwich with salad. The Tudor 'natives' were most friendly and accommodating.
7. Jephson Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,429 reviews
Jephson Gardens is a beautiful formal Victorian park in the centre of Leamington Spa. It's the perfect place for a relaxing stroll or family picnic. Lots of colourful flowerbeds and interesting sculptures make for a great day out. Things to do: Visit the Glasshouse - interesting tropical plants and goldfish pond Eat at the Aviary Café - a beautiful Victorian tea pavilion Hire boats at Leam Boat Centre in Mill Gardens Explore the Sensory Garden - taste garden, mirrored arch and colourful planting Visit East Lodge Garden - garden with insect-friendly planting and beehive Trees - around 140 species of native and non-native trees Explore the sculpture collection and find the rhino, dragon and hedgehog Watch ducks and geese on the lake Play area across the river in Mill Gardens Jephson Gardens is open every day from 8am. Closing times vary between 4pm and 9pm depending on the time of year. See entrance gates for current closing times.
Reviewed By Lora-x182 - Leamington Spa, United Kingdom
We are very lucky to have such a beautiful park in the town, the grounds and gardens team do a wonderful job and the park always looks bright, vibrant and interesting. It's always so nice to have a walk through the park. There is the lovely Aviary Cafe too.
8. The Mill Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 448 reviews
This garden lies in a magical setting on the banks of the River Avon beneath the walls of Warwick Castle. Winding paths lead round every corner to dramatic views of the castle and ruined Medieval Bridge. This informal cottage garden is a profusion of plants, shrubs and trees - beautiful throughout our opening season. Open daily 1st April to 31st October from 9am to 6pm. Partial wheelchair access. Not suitable for electric wheelchairs or large pushchairs. Disabled parking and drop off only. Please use nearby car park at St Nicholas Park, approx. 6 minute walk.
Reviewed By elenazE4263QC
I took a long walk on Easter Day to Warwick town centre, to my surprise and great happyness, the garden was open. Every time I visit it is more beautiful, Iam a regular visitor, and can't wait to visit again soon. Lovely hosts and so hard working! Breath taking views of the local castle and medieval bridge, the garden itself is exquisite, the most beautiful, colourful flowers. A must see location, highly recommended.
9. The MAD Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,509 reviews
Stratford upon Avon is most famous for being the birthplace of poet and play writer William Shakespeare, but why not try something completely outside of the box and visit the towns newest most exciting attraction- The MAD (Mechanical Art & Design) Museum.As soon as you step into this quirky attraction you'll be greeted with whirling robotics, churning clogs, rolling ball circuits, ingenious design and crazy sounds! The MAD Museum does what it says on the tin, showcasing an absolutely MAD assortment of Kinetic Art, Automata and Steampunk contraptions, gadgets and gismos. Venture into an eccentric world of moving art; The MAD Museum is a wonderful place to watch and interact with an astonishing assortment of both modern and old fashioned, yet highly innovative and elaborate machines! For the young ones: Dancing lasers, rolling ball machines, roaring mechanical dinosaur heads and whirligigs all with lots of buttons to press! The MAD Museum offers an exciting visit with an educational bias, relevant to curriculum modules such as Design & Technology and Science. We give children an experience that is worthwhile, educationally beneficial and also a lot of fun!
Reviewed By MandT61 - Leicestershire, United Kingdom
We took our granddaughter along based on a google search of things to do locally. We thoroughly recommend the Mad Museum to spend a great couple of hours viewing the many amazing contraptions and getting hands on with virtually everything, including making your own marble runs. The entry price is good value for money and the staff were very attentive , giving us an initial talk on how to get most enjoyment from the machines. Many thanks for a great time, we will be back soon.
10. Warwick Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 14,903 reviews
Imagine a totally electrifying day out at Britain’s ultimate castle. Where you can immerse yourself in a thousand years of jaw-dropping history – come rain or shine.Where ancient myths and spell-binding tales set your imagination alight, and your hair on end. Where princesses are pampered and maidens are wooed, as winners become true heroes and losers are confined to dark, dank dungeons to be forgotten for eternity. It could only be Warwick Castle.
Reviewed By 447jend - Shropshire, United Kingdom
Very interesting day out with plenty to do war of the roses was absolutely brilliant as was the dungeon tour and watching the falcons was breathtaking, also learning the history was good plenty to do, and plenty of walking so wear comfortable shoes. I thought entrance fee to get in was reasonable however that is where it stops . Parking £6.00 in a field which is approx 20mins walk and can be difficult with young children or elderly or if you struggle to walk ... take a picnic with you as food is extremely expensive as for drinks £1.80 a bottle of water £2.35 for a small bottle of coke / sprite etc total rip off. Toilets were very clean and tidy and the staff I spoke to were polite and helpful . Enter the gift shop and be prepared to be fleeced very very expensive £4.00 for a fridge magnet, foam sword £12.50 princess hat £18.00 name just a few and be aware that the car park sign says the gate is shut a 6pm . I would go back for the history and other entertainment but always would take my own food and drinks
