5 Best Warwickshire Towns
Anyone that doesn't think the West Midlands are pretty clearly hasn't been to Warwickshire's market towns. Away from the urban sprawls of Birmingham and Coventry, this lovely county boasts a collection of medieval towns serving up a slice of Old England.
Warwickshire’s most well-known destination is Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, but there’s lots more to see here. From the mighty castles of Warwick and Kenilworth to Leamington Spa’s Regency elegance and Alcester’s Roman heritage, we’ve picked out the five best Warwickshire towns to visit.
If you'd like to stay in the area a while so you can explore them all, take a look at Pitchup’s range of Warwickshire campsites and create a break that’s got both country and town elements.
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Market towns in Warwickshire
Many of Warwickshire’s loveliest places to visit are market towns –including Nuneaton, the biggest in the county by population size.
In the Middle Ages, these settlements were given a royal charter allowing a regular market to be held. As the markets grew in size and popularity, the towns around them would also get bigger.
Wealthy merchants built houses that have stood the test of time, allowing today’s visitors to see well-preserved historic buildings and streets. And of course, the markets in most of these places are still thriving, for a traditional shopping experience.
Warwick
This town’s crowning glory is Warwick Castle, founded by William the Conqueror in 1068. Originally a wooden motte-and-bailey structure, its mighty walls were rebuilt in stone in the 12th century to create the mighty building you see today. You could spend all day exploring the turrets, battlements and exhibitions here – not to mention the 64 acres of grounds and gardens. Look out for special events like bird of prey displays, archery sessions and jousting demonstrations too.
There’s also lots to do in the town centre. Take a stroll along the Warwick Town Trail, which passes historic buildings and sites of note like Lord Leycester Hospital, a collection of timber-framed 12th-century buildings, and the lovely Georgian façade of the Old Court House.
Want to stretch your legs a bit more? Have a look at our guide to the best walks in Warwickshire.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is of course best known as being the home of one William Shakespeare, who was born here in 1564. So for fans of the Bard and/or British history, Stratford-upon-Avon is an absolute must-visit. Visitors can walk through the house where he grew up and raised a family of his own, then explore his wife Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Gardens. You can also catch world-class performances at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, located by the River Avon's willow-fringed banks.
This pretty town’s still well worth a visit even if you’re not that fussed about the literary connection. For starters, it’s full of medieval buildings to transport you back to Olde England. It's also a lovely place to hire a boat and row along the river, relax in the lovely waterfront park, or eat at some of the town’s top restaurants. For those with more time to explore, Stratford-upon-Avon is surrounded by gorgeous Warwickshire countryside, a hop and a skip from the Cotswolds.
Kenilworth
Like Warwick, the big draw of Kenilworth is its castle. Founded in the 1120s, the vast defensive structure of Kenilworth Castle went on to become one of Elizabethan England’s most opulent palaces. Visit Leicester’s Building, constructed to house Queen Elizabeth I during her stays here, stroll around the carefully recreated Elizabethan Garden, and learn about the role this important castle played in historical events like the Wars of the Roses.
Other town sights include the ruins of Kenilworth Abbey (founded at around the same time as the castle), 17th-century thatched cottages on the Old High Street and Abbey Field’s lush greenery – and there are lots of options for walks in the surrounding countryside.
Leamington Spa
Lovely Leamington Spa is a whirl of Regency buildings, elegant boulevards and spacious parks. In the 18th and 19th centuries, this was one of England’s most fashionable spa towns. Aristocrats would come to take the waters at places like the colonnaded Royal Pump Rooms. They’d also stroll around the Jephson Gardens’ gorgeous glasshouse (find out more in our guide to the best parks in Warwickshire) and attend social events in grand townhouses.
Today, visitors can explore Leamington’s history on a heritage walking route, explore its colourful street art or go shopping in a range of independent boutiques.
Alcester
The Romans called this town ‘Fort on the River Alne’ – or ‘Alencestre’ in Latin. Founded in AD 47 as a military camp, Alcester grew into a thriving medieval market town. It flies under the radar compared with neighbours like Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick, but there's plenty to see here. Take a stroll around and you'll see a mix of Georgian, Victorian and modern architecture alongside timber-framed Tudor buildings and the Grade I-listed medieval town hall.
Alcester is also one of the best-understood Roman settlements in Britain thanks to the in-depth archaeological excavations – visit the Roman Alcester Museum to find out more – and makes a great base for visiting nearby stately homes like Ragley Hall and Coughton Court.
Planning a trip to this intriguing area of the UK? Pick up more ideas for days out with our guide to things to do in Warwickshire, then choose a place to stay by clicking the button below. With pitches starting from just £15 per night, having a little break doesn’t have to break the bank.