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
What to do and see in Warwickshire, England: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Warwickshire, United Kingdom including The Attic Theatre, Guy's Cliffe, The Children’s Play Village, Anne Hathaway's Cottage & Gardens, Hall's Croft, Kenilworth Castle, Holy Trinity Church, Lord Leycester Hospital, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon Canal.
Restaurants in Warwickshire
1. The Attic Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 649 reviews
The Attic Theatre is the No.1 fringe theatre in Stratford upon Avon and home to award-winning 'Tread the Boards' Theatre Company. In 2016 we begin the year with Romeo & Juliet, the only Shakespearean play being performed in Stratford during the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. First established in 2009 by Tread the Boards, an award winning theatre Company. This unique, riverside theatre is located in the heart of Shakespeares' birth town. This unique space is housed in a Grade 2 listed 15th century building and seats just 89 people. This makes for a very personal and intimate theatrical experience.
Reviewed By RobinNicky - Benalmadena, Spain
My wife and I went to Stratford for an afternoon in the sunshine this afternoon and whilst having lunch at Cox's yard bar we passed the box office for the Attic Theatre. We decided to go and see the show, and it was a great decision. The acting was really good and the production was excellent from start to finish. It followed the traditional treasure Island storyline but with a good dose of humour gently added. There were jokes for the whole family. Other people took children of all ages and they seemed to be loving it as much as we did. I would thoroughly recommend to everyone who enjoys fringe theatre productions. We will look out for other productions from this great theatre company. Thank you to the whole team involved.
2. Guy's Cliffe
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 90 reviews
Warwickshire's Hidden Gem - Guy's Cliffe House for details and bookings for our public tours, please visit the Guy's Cliffe House website
Reviewed By jansQ8019IX
My daughter and I attended a Paranormal Eye event here last night. It was a wonderful evening full of surprises and paranormal activity!!!! The location was easy to find and was very atmospheric. Guys Cliffe is a wonderful old building. Full of nooks and crannies. It oozed charm and felt it had been lived by so many in its time. The curator, Andy, supported us throughout the evening. We could tell that he loved the place. We would love to go back in the summer to have a good look around the extensive grounds. The evening was a great success and we would thoroughly recommend anyone who is interested in the after life to go. It was a brilliant evening. Well done to Paranormal Eye for a fantastic evening.
3. The Children’s Play Village
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 100 reviews
The Children’s Play Village in Warwick makes for a play date to remember for children bursting with curiosity and an endless supply of playfulness and tonnes of imagination. With soft fantasy realism of a real village your child can jump right into character and lose themselves in a world of pretend play and exploration of many familiar shops and services found in real life. Our 12 role play have been designed with love to set your child's imagination on fire. The Play Village, the play props and costumes are all here to spark play every child’s spirit of adventure, their excitement at the freedom to explore and learn about their community and world, and experiment with what’s familiar and fantasy using their imaginations. We offer 3 play sessions a day for 2.5 hrs that can be pre-booked online via our website. We operate a strict capacity level to ensure families have the space to play and explore with online booking essential to avoid disappointment.
Reviewed By AMM1985 - Banbury, United Kingdom
We visited for the second time in February. The first time had been on our daughter’s third birthday last summer and we had chosen to come whilst our eldest child was at school as we thought he would be too old to enjoy himself. We realised during that visit that he wasn’t, so we finally made a return visit today with an 8 year old, 3 year old and 18 month old. They all had a fantastic time! We received such a warm welcome from the members of staff at the front desk, and were very kindly shown to a table in the cafe area. Our children then joined in with the welcome session and started playing! We all had a brilliant afternoon playing together. We love how clean and tidy the village is even though we arrived at 3.30pm, that numbers are limited, how much there is to do, and that we can spend so much time together in one place just playing without any other distractions. We could spend much longer than 2.5 hours here, it is such a nice environment. Also a big plus that a tidy-up song is played at the end and that the children are asked to help, and they all do! We will definitely be back again.
4. 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
5. Hall's Croft
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 911 reviews
Explore the beautifully furnished Jacobean home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her husband, the physician John Hall. Wander into the tranquil walled garden and discover the fragrant medicinal herbs, as John Hall would have used in his remedies. Explore 'Method in the Madness', a new exhibition exploring medicine John Hall. Enjoy refreshment in the cafe.
Reviewed By 674lizk - Grange-over-Sands, United Kingdom
We went from the RSC along the river to the Holy Trinity church and then to Halls Croft...and there was hardly anyone there! (In August!). Lovely house to look round, some interesting medical history, as it’s Shakespeare’s daughters house (married to a physician). Has a really peaceful garden and great cafe. Friendly staff. Definitely do this one- you can walk down into the mayhem that is Henley St afterwards. Is part of the £22 ticket so well worth it.
6. Kenilworth Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,987 reviews
Reviewed By 756hazelm
Had a fab day out here with family including 4 children aged between 2 and 17 years of age .Children enjoyed exploring the ruins .walking around gardens xx My little granddaughter aged 2 loved the birds and exploring the grounds.Booking on line was quick and easy we are members of English Heritage so well worth joining if anyone wants to do that .Picnic area was lovely social distancing was observed by everyone .Plenty of sanitiser stations around .toilets were cleaned regularly .One way system worked well.All in all a great day had by all .Thank you to all staff at Kennilworth Castle .
7. Holy Trinity Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,080 reviews
Located on the banks of River Avon, this is considered one of England's most-visited Parish Churches and the site where William Shakespeare was baptized in 1564 and buried in 1616. In addition to Shakespeare's grave the 800 year-old church has some notable stained glass windows and 26 carved misericords dating from the 1400s. The high altar is one of the very few pre-reformation stone altars still in use in England today. Also of note is the sanctuary knocker on the inner porch door dating from the 1200s - anyone touching this could claim sanctuary within for 37 days.
Reviewed By aitchphoto - Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
I need to state that I am a member of the Church fraternity but that helps in trying to help visitors in what to see. There is of course Shakespeare's grave, as are those of members of his family, but do not overlook, whilst in the Chancel; The head of Christ {fortunately overlooked during the reformation} now illuminated and viewed via a mirror, the old medieval font, Shakespeare's birth and death certificates, the old bible, the misericord seats, the stained glass windows, one of the rare altars, the bust of Shakespeare, the lovely Monument to Richard & Judith Coombe {cousins due to be married until her death} and many, many more and that does not even mention anything in the actual body of the Church - I'll leave that to you!.
8. Lord Leycester Hospital
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 577 reviews
The Hospital is a historic group of medieval timber-framed buildings dating mainly from the late 14th Century. Of historic significance, they represent one of the finest examples in Britain of medieval courtyard architecture. Clustered around the Norman gateway into the town, the 12th century chapel sits above it. For nearly 200 years this site was home to Warwick’s medieval Guilds. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, under the patronage of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, the buildings became a place of retirement for old warriors. These soldiers are known to this day as the Brethren and with the Master, still live within the walls of the building. They are a living legacy of 450 years. Each morning they meet and pray together the words their founder Robert Dudley set down. You can often see the Brethren in ceremonial uniform as they give tours through the buildings and gardens. These extraordinary medieval buildings are open to visitors and can also be hired for private events.
Reviewed By PatG338 - Warwick, United Kingdom
Well worth a visit, ancient and interesting, lots to learn about the people who live there and keep it running, unusual wedding venue too
9. 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.
10. Stratford-upon-Avon Canal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,023 reviews
Stretching 25 miles from the Birmingham suburbs to the River Avon in Stratford, this scenic waterway passes through enchanting countryside in the very heart of England, cutting through the Forest of Arden and an area rich in Shakespearean history.
Reviewed By janpridham1960 - Liverpool, United Kingdom
an idyllic way to spend 2 hours and watch the world go by on a balmy sunny afternoon in Stratford-upon-Avon. Well worth the fee for the boat trip with commentary, see the fantastic dwellings along the sides of the canal, the Church where Shakespeare is buried, watch University rowers speed past you practising, families of ducks navigating along side you, it's simply outstanding. You get to go past the Royal Shakespeare company theatre too. All in all fabulous, tranquil and immensely enjoyable
