Warwick Tourist Information Centre

The Court House, Jury Street, Warwick CV34 4EW
Tel: 01926 492212 Fax: 01926 494837
website: www.warwick-uk.co.uk
E-mail: touristinfo@warwick-uk.co.uk
  


A Brief History of Warwick

Warwick offers to visitors today the opportunity of exploring not only the architectural gems of our medieval history but also those of our more recent past and the modern vibrant life of the county town of Warwickshire.
 

The town of Warwick was founded on the banks of the River Avon in 914 AD by Ethelfleda, sister of Edward the Elder, as a defence against the Danish invaders, on a site overlooking earlier riverside settlements. It is built on a small hill which controlled not only the river valley but also the river crossing on the road to London and the roads to Stratford, Coventry and the salt way to Droitwich. The Anglo-Saxon town was surrounded partly by a wall and partly by a ditch.

The medieval core of the town was prevented from expansion by the open spaces that surround it: the Common and Racecourse, the grounds of the Priory, St Nicholas Meadow, the River Avon, and later, Warwick Castle. Within a relatively small area there are many buildings of historic interest, of which the Castle is the most important.

This is one of the most dramatic and complete medieval castles in the country. It has been inhabited continuously since the Middle Ages, and was the home of the Earls of Warwick until recently.

St Marys Church from Okens House
 

 
Many of the central streets of the town were destroyed by the Great Fire of 1694. The buildings which were burnt, and many which were not, were re-built in the handsome style of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. St Mary's Church, which dominates the surrounding countryside, had a new nave and tower at the same time.

Several important medieval buildings survived the fire and can be seen to this day, notably the town's medieval Guildhall, now the Lord Leycester Hospital, as well as a group of timber - framed buildings around Oken's House.

Warwick and its historic buildings have featured in the BBC TV's drama series 'Dangerfield', 'Pride and Prejudice', 'Tom Jones' and Granada Television's 'Moll Flanders'.


How to get here

Warwick is located in the rural Heart of England.  It is close to Stratford-upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Kenilworth.  The closest cities are Coventry and Birmingham.  The table below shows the distances from Warwick.
 

Distances from Warwick

Kenilworth 6 miles/
9 km
Royal Leamington Spa 3 miles/
4 km
Stratford-upon-Avon 9 miles/
15 km
Coventry 12 miles/
19 km
Birmingham 24 miles/
38 km
Birmingham Airport 18 miles/
29 km
Oxford 50 miles/
81 km
London 94 miles/
152 km


By Car
M40 Motorway, junction 15 then A429 to Warwick.

By Coach
Regular services of National Express. Tel: 08705 808080.

By Bus
Midland Red.  Tel: 01788 535555

By Train
Warwick train station is just 10 minutes walk to the town centre and Castle.  Trains are available to Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon, London (Paddington and Marylebone) and intermediate stations.  Use Leamington Spa for connections to Banbury, Coventry, Oxford and intermediate stations.  Tel 08457 484950. Please note Warwick Parkway Station is situated 1.5 miles from the town centre.
 

Click here to view the Warwick District Council Parking leaflet.
 


Warwick Town Map

Below is a map of Warwick Town Centre.  Many of the places of interest are marked on the map.  Please click the places of interest on the map, or the links below to learn more.

Key
  1. Collegiate Church of St Mary
  2. Hill Close Gardens
  3. Lord Leycester Hospital and Master's Garden
  4. Saltisford Canal Trust
  5. St John's Museum
  6. St Nicholas Park
  7. The Mill Garden
  8. The Queen's Own Hussars Museum
  9. Warwick Castle
  10. Warwickshire Museum - Market Hall
  11. Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum
  12. Mill Street
  13. Warwick Racecourse

Antiques
There are a large number of antiques shops and centres in Warwick making this one of the most popular antique centres in the region.

Shopping
Warwick has a wide variety of small specialised shops located around the Market Place and Swan Street.  Smith Street is separate from the town centre but is still a lively shopping area.

Gardens
There are a number of hidden gardens in Warwick that welcome the public to picnic or just take a rest.  Ask the Tourist Information Centre for more details.


Places of Interest in Warwick

Below is a selection of Places of Interest in Warwick.  Please click on the image or text for more information.
 

Collegiate Church of St Mary
Collegiate Church of St Mary


Hill Close Gardens
Hill Close Gardens


Lord Leycester Hospital and Master's Garden
Lord Leycester Hospital and Master's Garden


Saltisford Canal Trust
Saltisford Canal Trust


St John's Museum
St John's Museum


St Nicholas Park
St Nicholas Park


The Mill Garden
The Mill Garden


The Queen's Own Hussars Museum
The Queen's Own Hussars Museum


Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle


Warwickshire Museum - Market Hall
Warwickshire Museum - Market Hall


Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum
Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum


 
Collegiate Church of St Mary
Old Square
Tel: +44 (0)1926 403940

St Marys Church

Famous for its Beauchamp Chapel, Medieval/ Tudor tombs and tower. Brass rubbings available.

OPEN ALL YEAR

Daily Summer 10.00 - 17.40, Winter 10.00 - 16.10

CHURCH ADMISSION FREE (Donation welcome)

Tower open all year (Weather Permitting)

TOWER ADMISSION CHARGE

Visit the official St Mary's Church web site - click here.

St Mary's boasts four choirs. For further details, please click here.

Beauchamp Chapel


Hill Close Gardens
Bread and Meat Close
Warwick
CV34 6HF
Tel: 01926 493339
E-mail: CentreManager@hcgt.org.uk
Website: www.hillclosegardens.com

Hill Close Gardens

This delightful network of individual gardens, separated by high hedges, has recently been restored using Heritage Lottery funding.  Delightful summerhouses, gnarled old fruit trees and heritage flowers and vegetables welcome the visitor to this tranquil spot.  Buy plants and historic varieties of fruit and vegetables in season.  Enjoy tea, coffee and cake in the new "sustainable" visitor centre.  View the changing displays.  Gifts for sale.
 
Saturdays and Bank Holidays, 11-5; Fridays and Sundays 2-5. (Easter till last weekend in October) 
Admission: adults £3.00; children under 12 free
 
Access from racecourse car park off Friars Street (2 hours free parking available).
 
For more information on special events and educational activities please view www.hillclosegardens.com

All year round guided tours are available for groups of over 10 people at a charge of £6 a head to include entrance, services of a guide and tea and cake. Also the Centre (capacity 60 people) has a well equipped kitchen and good projection facilities and is available for hire. Further information on both tours and lettings can be obtained from the Centre Manager tel 01926 493339 or email Centremanager@hcgt.org.uk.
 
 


Lord Leycester Hospital and Master's Garden
High Street
Tel: +44 (0)1926 491422
E-mail: lordleycester@btinternet.com
Website: www.lordleycester.co.uk

Lord Leycester Hospital
 
The historic group of buildings that now comprise the Hospital, is now dominated by the ancient Chantry Chapel of St James, built over the West Gate into Warwick by Thomas Beauchamp, 12th Earl of Warwick, in the latter half of the 14th Century.
 
Lord Leycester
The Guild of St George was created under a license issued by King Richard II on 20th April, 1383, and Thomas Beauchamp granted the benefice of the Chantry Chapel to the Guild on its formation.  Sometime between 1386 and 1413, the Guild of the Blessed Virgin, based at the Collegiate Church of St Mary, joined the Guild of St George at the West Gate.  To accommodate the resident priests and the guilds, reception, meeting and dining halls were built as well as living quarters.  They became known as the United Guilds of Warwick.
 
In 1546, when they were dispersed by King Henry VIII, the United Guilds were able to save their property from seizure through the admirable foresight of their Master, Thomas Oken, who had it transferred to the Burgesses of Warwick.
 
Robert Dudley
In 1571, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leycester acquired the buildings and founded, under charter from Queen Elizabeth I, a Hospital for aged or disabled soldiers and their wives.  The Charter set up a corporation consisting of the Master in charge of the Hospital and the twelve resident Brethren, which was endowed with estates producing an income of £200 per year.  To accommodate them, parts of the buildings, including the Guildhall itself, were divided into primitive quarters.  These arrangements remained unchanged until 1950, when the Guildhall was cleared and the number of Brethren temporarily reduced to five.
 
During this period of nearly 400 years, the adminstration of the Hospital continued under the Charter as originally laid down, to which had been added a set of regulations drawn up by the Earl of Leycester.
 
Lord Leycester
 
In 1956, an Act of Parliament was passed abolishing the Corporation of the Master and Brethren and replacing it by a Board of Governors, who decided to restore the building and modernise the quarters.
 
Courtyard

Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, opened the Hospital after its restoration, on 3rd November, 1966.

Today, 8 ex-servicemen and their wives live in modernised flats and in return give their services towards the running of the Hospital.
 
For various reasons over the years, the Hospital's estates have been disposed of, such that it is now a self-supporting charity relying largely on income from visitors.
 
The Master's Garden
Hidden behind the Master's House lies a tiny, beautiful, tranquil garden.  Lovingly restored by a past Master's wife, its delightful planting echoes a former time. The garden is open to visitors from Easter until October.  
 
Unique features include the 12th Century Norman arch, a stone vase reputed to have crowned the 2,00 year old Egyptian 'Nilometer' and a very early pineapple pit.  Featured in Country Life, BBC's Gardener's World, Doctor Who and David Dimbleby's 'How we built Britain'.
 
The Brethren's Kitchen provides morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon tea from Easter until October.
 
Admission: Adults: £4.90, Children: £3.90, OAP £4.40.
Garden only: £2.00, Children £0.50.
 


Saltisford Canal Trust
The Saltisford
Tel: +44 (0)1926 490006
Website: www.saltisfordcanal.co.uk

Saltisford Canal
 
Colourful canal urban fringe park, run by local charity on the Saltisford Arm of the Grand Union Canal.  Gardens, picnic sites, day hire canal boats with full handicapped access, canal side shop and information centre, refreshments, day fishing and overnight visitor moorings.
 
Open daily year round, Shop open 7 days a week March to October, Weekdays November to February.
 


St John's Museum
St John's
Tel: +44 (0)1926 412132 or 412021

St Johns Museum
 
A charming Jacobean mansion housing period reconstructions of a Victorian kitchen and classroom.  Includes dolls and toys, a discovery room for the under 5's and also houses the Royal Warwickshire Regimental Museum.  Children most welcome.  Landscaped gardens suitable for picnics. 

OPEN ALL YEAR (Closed Mondays) - ADMISSION FREE (donations welcome)

Tuesday - Saturday (also Bank Holiday Mondays)
10.00 - 17.00

Sundays (April - September only) 14.30 - 17.00
Events and holiday activities - Phone 01926 412034
 


St Nicholas Park

St Nicolas Park
 

Warwick Tea Rooms 01926 492962 (Open all year round)

Includes a new miniature 18 hole golf course instead of crazy golf course, and also add giant chess board, picnic area, remove football courts and change to all weather pitch, after recreation ground remove and replace with Leisure centre including swimming pool, sports hall and fitness suite
 


The Mill Garden
Mill Street
Warwick
Tel: 01926 492877

The Mill Garden
 
At the bottom of Mill Street is the Mill Garden, famed for the quality of its planting in an unbelievable setting.  It was created over a period of sixty years by the late Arthur Measures, who made it a personal expression of his love of plants.  On one side are the river and the ruin of the mediaeval bridge, whose roadway once led across where there are now lawns and flowers.  In a lucky year, swans nest in its shelter.  On the other side, Caesar's Tower looms overhead.  The stone walls of the castle give one of the most dramatic backdrops for any garden.  Open: April-October daily 9am-6pm, Admission £1.50, accompanied young children free, plant sales.  Tel:  01926 492877.


The Queen's Own Hussars Museum
The Lord Leycester Hospital, 60 High Street
Warwick
Tel: +144 (0)1926 492035
E-mail: qohmuseum@qrh.org.uk
Website: www.qohmuseum.org.uk

Queens Own Hussars Museum
 
The Cavalry Regiment of the West Midlands – the past to the present
Riding into Battle by Horse and Tank
One of the three Warwick Military Museums.

Normally Open Tues to Sat
Summer 10.00-17.00
Winter 10.00 - 16.00
Tel +144 (0)1926 492035

Within The Lord Leycester Hospital NO FURTHER ADMISSION CHARGE

Covering over 300 years of service of the senior light cavalry regiment of the British Army, the lives of a few individuals have been chosen to bring to life each era. A chronology board relates the regimental and military events to other national and local historical events.

The Museum starts with the raising of the regiment and early service (1685-1742). The wars against the French (1742-1815) include the Battle of Dettingen and the story of Thomas Brown, the Gallant Dragoon. The Napoleonic Wars cases highlight the Peninsular Campaign and Waterloo.
 
19th Century and Colonial Wars (1815-1914) are illustrated through life-sized tableaux, one being a scene featuring Captain Walter Unett, a local man, and one and one of a stable and a trooper preparing his horse for review. There are displays commemorating the two Indian Mutiny VCs, photographs of 19th century life, and displays of pre-and post-khaki uniforms and equipment.
Queen’s Own Hussars Museum
 
The museum has been further redeveloped in 2003/4. The new displays chart the changeover to modern tank warfare during the 1930s, Second World War, and post War highlights including peacekeeping.
 

Queen’s Own Hussars Museum

An audio-visual experience shows the part played by the Regiment at great cost in the in the closing stages of the Battle of El Alamein, in the 8th Army under command of General Montgomery of the Warwickshire Regiment.
 
The story into the 21st Century includes a large screen display of a Challenger 2 tank, showing all the crew positions and their tasks.

There are also a Medal Collection, archives for research and enquiries, handling items, family fun activities, and a small shop.

 


Warwick Castle
Tel: +44 (0)870 442 2000

Warwick Castle
 
Britain's greatest Mediaeval experience at Warwick Castle. From a Mediaeval household in the Kingmaker exhibition to a Victorian 'Royal Weekend Party'. Kingmaker feasts and Highwayman Suppers most Fridays and Saturdays. Warwick Castle

Knight

OPENING TIMES
 

Warwick Castle is open all year except Christmas Day. January - March, October - December: 10am - 5pm
April - September: 10am - 6pm
Last admission is half an hour before closing.
We recommend you allow 3-4 hours for your visit to Warwick Castle.
 
 
ADMISSION CHARGES
 
Standard:
 

Group Rates (15+)

Individual

Adult

£12.75

£15.95

Senior

£9.55

£11.95

Student

£9.55

£13.95

Child

£7.95

£9.95

Family

N/A

£48.00

 
 
Off Peak:
3 September - 7th December 2007 

Group Rates (15+)

Individual

Adult

£11.15 

£15.95

Senior

£7.95 

£11.95

Student

£8.60 

£13.95

Child

£7.15 

£9.95

Family

N/A

£48.00

 
 
Peak
 
8 December 2007 - 6 January 2008

 

Group Rates (15+)

Individual

Adult

£14.35

£17.95

Senior

£10.35

£13.95

Student

£10.35

£15.95

Child

 £8.75

£11.95 

Family

N/A

£52.00

  
 
A child is aged 4 - 16 years inclusive.
The Family Ticket is for two adults and two children.
Group rates only apply to pre-booked groups of 15+ people.
 
Warwick Ghosts Alive £2.75
 
 

For more information, try the Official Warwick Castle Web Site.


Warwickshire Museum - Market Hall
Market Hall
Tel: +44 (0)1926 412500 or 412501

Warwickshire Museum
 
The Warwickshire Museum contains displays of Archaeology, Geology and Natural History, The Great Fire of Warwick and Sheldon's Tapestry Map.

OPEN ALL YEAR (Closed Mondays)
Tues - Sat 10.00 - 17.00
Sundays (April - September only) 11.30 - 17.00
Bank Holidays: 10.00 - 17.00

ADMISSION FREE (Donations welcome)
 


Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum
The Court House, Jury Street
CV34 4EW
Tel: +44 (0)1926 492212

Uniforms, arms, swords, sabres and selected silver.

OPEN
Easter to October
Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays.
10.00 - 13.00, 14.00 - 16.00

Other times by appointment.

ADMISSION FREE

Yeoman

The Warwickshire Yeomanry

On the 25th June 1794 the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, the Earl of Warwick had raised by public subscription sufficient money to raise a force of Volunteer Cavalry for the defence of the County in the event of invasion by the French, with whom we were at war.  This force comprising Gentlemen and Yeomanry of the County was named the Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry and its first commanding officer was the 4th Earl of Aylesford.

The Regiment has had unbroken service since that date and has always comprised men of Warwickshire who have followed normal civilian occupations in peacetime, but have voluntarily trained for war at drill nights, weekends and annual camps.  When an internal threat of war has occurred, the Regiment has mobilised to full time service with the forces of the Crown.  Over 2000 members of Warwickshire families have served in the Regiment over the past 200 years.

During the 19th Century the Regiment was frequently called out to help maintain law and order in Birmingham, Coventry and Bedworth - particularly during the Chartist Riots from 1837-1840.  A volunteer Squadron of the Regiment served with great distinction in the Boer War for a year and a half.  The Regiment was mobilised in the Great War and the Second World War and served with great gallantry throughout them both.  In the Great War at Gallipoli and at the battles of Katia, Romani, Rafa, El Arish and Huj in Palestine, the latter the scene of the Regiment's famous cavalry charge.  In the Second World War the Regiment served in Iraq, Syria and Persia and then with the 8th Army at the Battle of El Alamein where only seven tanks of the Regiment survived, and later the Regiment fought throughout the Italian campaign.

In 1956 the Warwickshire Yeomanry amalgamated with the Worcestershire Yeomanry to form The Queen's Own Warwickshire and Worcestershire Yeomanry.  In 1969 the Regiment was reduced by defence cuts to a Cadre and a Signals Squadron.  The Cadre expanded in 1971 to a Squadron of the Queen's Own Mercian Yeomanry which in 1992 became The Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry.  Today our serving successor Squadrons of the Warwickshire Yeomanry are A(QOWWY) Squadron of The Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry and 67(QOWWY) Signal Squadron of 37 Signal Regiment.
 
 



Warwick Tourist Information Centre

Court House
Jury Street
Warwick
CV34 4EW
Tel: +44 (0)1926 492212
Fax: +44 (0)1926 494837
e-mail: touristinfo@warwick-uk.co.uk

Opening Times Daily: 09.30 - 16:30
 
Warwick Tourist Information Centre

 
Whilst visiting Warwick make your first stop the Tourist Information Centre situated in the Court House, Jury Street, in the centre of town.

Our knowledgeable staff will be able to help you make the most of your visit supplying information on Warwick and the surrounding area.

 
If you are looking for a place to stay our staff will be able to assist you with booking accommodation.  Also we can make advanced reservations for your next stop on route. 

Warwick Tourist Information Centre has a wide range of publications, local guides, maps and souvenirs to help you make the most of your visit.

We look forward to welcoming you to Warwick.

If you have any questions or comments then please e-mail us: touristinfo@warwick-uk.co.uk

Please Note:- We will normally reply to e-mailed enquires within 1 working day of receipt.  If you wish to receive information by post, please telephone us on +44 (0)1926 492212.



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