5 Best Warwickshire Towns
If you don’t think the West Midlands are pretty, you haven’t been to the best Warwickshire towns. Curving gently around the urban sprawls of Birmingham and Coventry, this lush county – with its rolling hills, green woodlands, open skies, medieval towns and castles – is a slice of Old England.
Warwickshire’s most well-known destination is Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of Shakespeare, 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, here are the five best Warwickshire towns to visit.
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. And as they grew in size and popularity, the town around 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.
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. You could spend all day exploring the turrets, battlements and exhibitions – as well as the 64 acres of grounds and gardens. Look out for birds of prey and jousting demonstrations.
There’s also lots to do in the urban 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. Ready for more roams? Have a look at our guide to the best walks in Warwickshire.
Stratford-upon-Avon
In 1564, William Shakespeare was born in this sleepy market town. So for fans of the Bard, Stratford-upon-Avon is heaven. 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 barmy for the Bard. For starters, it’s full of medieval buildings to transport you back to Olde England. Hire a boat and row along the river, rest in the lovely waterfront park, or eat at some of the town’s top restaurants. If you have more time to explore, Stratford-upon-Avon is surrounded by gorgeous Warwickshire countryside, a hop and a skip from the Cotswolds.
See campsites near Stratford-upon-Avon.
Kenilworth
Like Warwick, the big draw of Kenilworth is its castle. Founded in the 1120s, this vast defensive structure 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, Abbey Field’s lush greenery, and tons of walks in the surrounding countryside.
See campsites near Kenilworth.
Leamington Spa
Lovely Leamington Spa is a whirl of Regency buildings, elegant boulevards and spacious parks. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it 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 walking route – especially recommended is the Elephant Trail, which tells the story of elephant trainer Samuel Lockhart – or go shopping in the fabulous independent boutiques.
See campsites near Leamington Spa.
Alcester
The Romans called this town ‘Fort on the River Alne’, or ‘Alencestre’ in Latin. Founded in AD 47 as a military camp, it grew into a thriving medieval market town. With a market hall dating back to this time and timber-framed Tudor buildings, plus a mix of Georgian, Victorian and modern architecture, there’s tons to see here. It’s 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.
See campsites near Alcester or go further afield and explore all our campsites in Warwickshire.
Want more inspiration? Here’s our guide to the top things to do in Warwickshire.