9 Things To Do In Warwickshire
From Shakespeare to Jane Austen, castles to cars, there are lots of options for great days out in Warwickshire, whether you’re local or visiting the area for a few days.
To help you pick out the top spots, we’ve come up with this list of nine excellent things to do in Warwickshire – including a truly ‘mad’ museum, two cathedrals in one, a tropical butterfly farm and grand stately homes. Seen some of them already? Check out the unusual sights at the end of the article and maybe you'll find somewhere new to visit.
Of course, here at Pitchup one of our favourite things to do is always camping – and that’s certainly true of Warwickshire, which has lots of lovely places to stay. Whether you're after a quiet farm pitch or a stylish glamping pod, we've got something for you – explore the full range below and see what you can find.
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Discover Shakespearean History
See the most important Shakespearean sights
Stratford-upon-Avon’s most famous son, William Shakespeare, still draws crowds to Warwickshire 400 years after his death. If you'd like to learn more about the Bard's life, there are plenty of ways to do that. At the Shakespeare’s Birthplace museum, a half-timbered 16th-century house in the town centre, you'll hear stories of the playwright’s early life. Later, see where he died at Shakespeare’s New Place, now a garden full of artwork.
It's also worth paying a visit to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, a rural house with a cottage garden and orchards, where Shakespeare would have visited his wife-to-be in the early days of their relationship. Finally, head to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to catch a performance of one of his plays.
Stratford-upon-Avon
More than just Shakespeare
Stratford-upon-Avon isn’t just about Shakespearean history, so if you’ve had your fill of that, check out these other attractions in the town.
Charlecote Park is a Grade I-listed building managed by the National Trust. Most of the large house is Victorian but you enter through an Elizabethan porch before going to see the library, home to over 3,000 books, and the golden hues of the drawing room. Outside, you can take a long stroll around the extensive parkland and spot the herds of fallow deer.
Fancy getting on the water? Take a boat ride on the River Avon and learn about the role the waterways played during the Industrial Revolution. Choose from a rowing boat, a classic Edwardian ship or a canal barge, depending on how much effort you'd like to put in.
Warwick Castle
A grand day out for adults and kids alike
Medieval Warwick Castle is one of the top attractions to visit in Warwickshire. Tours here take in the grand interior rooms and the towers, walls and ramparts – along with the world’s largest working catapult. Once you’ve explored inside, stroll through the 64 acres of landscaped gardens and grounds and see some of the live entertainment the castle puts on: you might get to see a falconry show or a jousting tournament.
Stratford Butterfly Farm
Explore the tropics in central England
Hit with a rainy day? Go to Stratford Butterfly Farm and experience the atmosphere of the tropics right here in the West Midlands. In the huge greenhouses at the UK's biggest tropical butterfly attraction, you’ll see hundreds of free-flying colourful butterflies among the waterfalls, pools and lush vegetation.
This attraction is a great place for a family day out in any weather. Your keen young naturalists can observe the life cycle of a butterfly in the Discovery Zone and visit Minibeast Metropolis to meet insects, amphibians and reptiles. You’ll also see the leafcutter ant colonies at work and learn about the connection this butterfly farm has with the rainforest in Belize and the ancient Mayan civilisation.
Kenilworth Castle
Almost a millennium of history
Step back through the ages as you explore 900 years of history at Kenilworth Castle. Managed by English Heritage, the castle has gone through several transformations since it was first built in the 12th century. Visitors can now see the Norman Keep, the 14th-century Great Hall and the Elizabethan tower where Queen Elizabeth I stayed. You’ll also be able to wander through the peaceful Elizabethan garden before visiting the tea room in the old Tudor stables.
If you’re at Kenilworth Castle, visit Stoneleigh Abbey nearby. The palatial stately home was built in the early 18th century and is famous for inspiring the novelist Jane Austen, who stayed here in 1806. When you read Austen’s book Mansfield Park you may well spot the numerous similarities to Stoneleigh.
British Motor Museum
A must for fans of vintage motors
Keen on classic cars? The British Motor Museum has the world’s largest collection of classic British cars and traces the history of the British motor industry from 1896 onwards. See sports cars from manufacturers like McLaren and Aston Martin alongside cars from film and TV – like FAB 1 from Thunderbirds and a Land Rover that was used in the James Bond film Skyfall.
Guests can also learn more about how cars work in the interactive Under the Skin zone and see the period displays like a 1930s garage and a Motoring Cinema.
Royal Leamington Spa
One of England’s finest spa towns
Leamington Spa was one of England’s premier spa towns during the 18th and 19th centuries – and it’s still popular now, with a place on our list of the best towns to visit in Warwickshire. Come along here to visit the Royal Pump Rooms, once the town’s most famous baths and now a cultural centre housing the Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum.
After that, see the Regency architecture on Lansdowne Circus, the Parade and Clarendon Square and take a walk in Jephson Gardens, a landscaped Victorian park full of sculptures.
The MAD Museum
A hands-on museum of kinetic art
MAD? Absolutely – and the only museum of its kind in the UK, too. The Mechanical Art and Design Museum, in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, displays interactive pieces of kinetic art and automata. Help your kids develop an interest in STEM by bringing them here to see, touch and get involved with the mechanical art exhibits.
It’s very much a hands-on museum and a full sensory experience that aims to get visitors thinking as well as doing. Download a free family activity pack before you arrive so your children have a challenge to complete while they’re there.
Need more things for the kids to do? Take them out for a run around in one of the best parks in Warwickshire.
Coventry Cathedral
Two cathedrals on one site
Two sights in one? Indeed. Coventry Cathedral now has two buildings – one a modernist construction that was consecrated in the 1960s, and the other the ruins of the Cathedral of St Michael.
The New Cathedral is a bright and modern place where highlights include the large tapestry of Christ and the colourful stained glass windows. The remains of the Old Cathedral stand in the gardens next to the new one. It was bombed during World War II, along with much of the city of Coventry, and was left as a reminder of the conflict and the need for peace.
The ruins are sometimes used as an atmospheric backdrop to open-air events, so see if there's anything on when you’re in the city.
Unusual Things To Do In Warwickshire
Looking for more offbeat activities in Warwickshire? How about starting with a visit to Baddesley Clinton, a 500-year-old manor house with an intriguing history as a refuge for Catholic priests during dangerous times?
For an outdoor activity, go to Dick’s Lane Bridge to see a split bridge, designed with a gap in the middle so the rope of a horse pulling a barge could be passed through. You might also like to explore the intriguing history of the elephants that once (probably) lived in Leamington Spa.
Beyond these attractions, Warwickshire’s lovely scenery means that it's a great place to get outdoors – perhaps enjoying one of the 7 best walks in Warwickshire. Spending a couple of nights under canvas can also be a great family activity – you don't have to go far or spend much money to experience an adventure. Have a look at Pitchup’s full collection of Warwickshire campsites below and find something that suits your needs.