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Local Area and Tourist Information
If you are thinking of taking your holiday or
looking for tourist information in
Alcester, Bidford-on-Avon, Henley-in-Arden, Kenilworth,
Leamington Spa, Rugby, Warwick or surrounding areas of Warwickshire
then please use the links below to find out more about specific
towns. For you convenience we have also included Coventry
due to it's Proximity.
Town Index:
Warwickshire Overview
Alcester
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Atherstone |
Clifton-upon-Dunsmore
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Coventry
Gaydon
Henley-in-Arden
Kenilworth |
Kineton
Leamington Spa
Meriden
Nuneaton
Rowington
Rugby
Shipston
on Stour | Southam
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Stratford Upon Avon
| Stretton-on-Fosse
Warwick
Warwickshire has many contrasting towns and
villages and is covered in historical Castles, Churches and
Stately homes. Traditional market towns dot the picturesque
countryside. One can spend the day visiting a multitude of
museums and art galleries or hunting for antiques, take lunch in
a country pub and then head to one of many fine restaurants,
pubs or theatres in the evening. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy a
round many fine golf courses or spend an evening at Stratford or
Warwick Race Course.
Holiday accommodation can be found everywhere
from a canal boat or tent to a small, homely bed and breakfast or
larger hotel catering for the busy executive.
Warwickshire also has good transport links. There are 2 airports
in Birmingham and one in Coventry. The M1, M6, M5, M42 and M40
all run through or near the county. There are also excellent
rail links. See the Travel & Transport
page for more information.
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Alcester
Alcester stands on the remains of a Roman
settlement and is situated a few miles south of Redditch and a
short distance from Henley-in-Arden and Stratford upon Avon. It
is an English market town, which retains a community feel.
The River Arrow runs through the medieval town
and many historical buildings survive including a 14th century
church tower and the town hall from the 17th Century.
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Atherstone
Located in the very north of Warwickshire, Atherstone is a
market town situated very close to the borders with
Staffordshire and Leicestershire. The historical town centre has
a 12th Century Church and market square. Atherstone has a
history dating back to the Romans with the Roman road of Watling
Street (A5) running nearby. Although the town has an industrial
past, tourism has developed in more recent times and it has now
established itself as a Book Town.
The famous Atherston Ball game has been played in the town every
Shrove Tuesday since the 13th Century.
The Coventry Canal runs through Atherstone, it is close to the
Birmingham and Coventry and is well served by Motorways.
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Clifton is the most easterly village in Warwickshire and is
situated just a mile from Rugby. It is located between the
Oxford Canal and the River Avon. Although close to the town, it
has a rural feel and is served by small shops and a pub.
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Coventry has a long history. It was bombed heavily during the
second world war due to it's munitions and engine plants. The
original Cathedral was also destroyed and was rebuilt in 1962.
The link to engineering firms continue to this day with many
automotive factories and suppliers located in the area, although
the industry has been in decline for many years new industries
continue to thrive.
Coventry has seen some regeneration in recent times and there is
a lot of entertainment spots to visit. Ricoh stadium and
exhibition centre is the focus for many sporting and music
events. The Warwick arts centre just outside the city is popular
amongst locals and tourist alike.
Perhaps the best known resident of Coventry was Lady Godiva.
Legend has it she rode through the city, naked, on horseback to
protest against high taxes.
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Gaydon is home of the
Heritage Motor Centre which houses perhaps the largest
collection of British cars in the world. The motor heritage
continues with the Landrover and Aston Martin plants and proving
grounds nearby. Situated just off the M40 the Museum is well
worth a day out.
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Henley-in-Arden has a population of approximately
4000 inhabitants and is set in beautiful countryside just north
of Stratford upon Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare. There are
many restaurants, pubs, shops and other services along the
historic High Street. Henley is a medieval market town and a
market is still held three times a week.
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Kenilworth is mentioned in the Domesday book of
1086. The town and its famous ruined castle has links to many
Royal figures and is steeped in history. At the top of the town,
not far from Kenilworth's magnificent castle ruins, enjoy a
relaxing walk in Abbey Fields and see the cottages of 'Little
Virginia'- where Sir Walter Raleigh was thought to have planted
some of the first potatoes he brought back from the New World.
Nearby is Stoneleigh Abbey and Stoneleigh Park which holds the
annual
Royal Show and Town and Country Show.
Kenilworth is a small town with an exceptionally
good choice of restaurants and smaller shops. There is a large
supermarket in the main street along with several new bars and
restaurants.
Coventry, Leamington, Warwick and Stratford upon Avon are all
within 20 minutes drive.
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The Battle of Edgehill took place near here in 1642, during the
Civil war. Today you can follow a 20 mile walk along the
Edgehill to Edgcote Trail. This is a signposted walk which
covers 3 of the most historical battlefields. You can also stay
at the unusual Radway Tower (Castle Inn) situated on top of the
escarpment overlooking the area.
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Just three miles from Warwick, Royal Leamington
Spa is a fashionable town with its Georgian and Victorian
architecture, tree lined avenues and squares and glorious
gardens. Leamington has a deservedly good reputation for
shopping and eating with a high number of specialty shops and
restaurants. There are good, value-for-money restaurants in the
town, as well as more unusual venues on and along the canal. The
main parade has seen some significant refurbishment in recent
years.
Leamington spa’s famous saline spring water was
first made available to the public via baths opened in the
1780’s. The history of the use of these spas and baths can be
found at the popular museum at the
Royal Pump Rooms in the centre of the town.
There are also plenty of bars, restaurants,
nightclubs and shops and a cinema and Theatre.
Warwick, Kenilworth, Coventry and Stratford upon
Avon are all close by.
For access: London Euston is linked by fast and
regular high speed rail services to Leamington Spa and Coventry
there is easy access to the major motorway networks of the M40,
M1, M42 and M6.
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Meriden is widely believed to be the centre of
England and has a 500 year old monument claiming so. Whether it
is or isn't it is still worthy of a visit and IS located near
the NEC, Birmingham International Airport and the M42 and a
short drive from the Warwickshire towns of Coventry, Warwick,
Leamington and Birmingham. It has a traditional country pub and
a golf course.
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Nuneaton is a market town which developed around a Nunnery in
the C12th Century. It's retail tradition continues today and it
has a large covered retail area and still enjoys a regular
Saturday market. It is perhaps best known for it's link to
George Eliot the novelist, born Mary Ann Evans in 1819. The
Museum & Art Gallery houses a George Eliot collection. The
nearby Coventry Canal provides enjoyment for walkers, riders,
cyclists and pleasure boats.
Nuneaton is also in the "Floral Heart of England" and the
Borough has one several Britain in Bloom awards.
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Rowington is situated in rural Warwickshire close to the towns
of Warwick, Leamington Spa. It has many farms and buildings
spread across it's parish but no clearly defined village centre.
The Stratford and Grand Union Canals both pass through Rowington
and it is close to the M40 J15 and M42 motorways.
Rowington has several pubs and many footpaths straight into the
open Warwickshire countryside including the Heart of England
Way.
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Rugby is situated on the River Avon, East of
Coventry and near to the Northamptonshire and Leicestershire
borders. The town is most famous for being the birthplace of the
game of Rugby at Rugby School. The School also has links with
famous names such as Lewis Carroll and Rupert Brooke who both
attended.
The town centre has numerous bars, cafes, restaurant's a cinema
and theatre and part of the town centre is pedestrianised and a
regular market is held near the clock tower.
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Situated very near to the picturesque Cotswolds this market town
is a good base for local walkers & cyclists. Shipston is located
on the A3400 an old stagecoach road between Stratford and Oxford
as indicated by the many old inns on it's high street.
Shipston was a spinning and weaving town and enjoys a long
history with the wool industry. It was also stopping point for
welsh sheep farmers droving their flocks to London.
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Southam is located between Coventry and Banbury. It has a good
range of shops, banks, pubs, restaraunts and a weekly market.
In 1642 during the civil war, Southam was surrounded by troops
and the Manor House played host to Charles I.
Polo enthusiasts can visit the
RLS Polo Club on the Stoneythorpe Estate.
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Beautifully situated on the River Avon,
Stratford-Upon-Avon has a number of attractions linked to the
famous Bard. Explore this historic market town and its
surroundings and discover where Shakespeare was born and grew
up, where he gained inspiration for his work, enjoyed a "few"
drinks and even where he used to poach deer!
Shakespeare country is also special because it is
home to the internationally renowned
Royal Shakespeare Company
(RSC). The RSC has long been recognised as the world's leading
classical theatre company and its annual repertoire of
productions features plays by Shakespeare, his contemporaries,
other classical playwrights as well as many new plays specially
commissioned by the RSC.
Superb shops, restaurants, a Friday market and
floral displays complement its river setting, three theatres and
wealth of other attractions. Besides Shakespeare there is much
to enjoy, from a day at Stratford Races to a guided open top bus
tour or boating on the River Avon. Other attractions include:
Falstaff’s Experience, Anne Hathaway’s cottage, the
Butterfly Museum.
Race lovers can visit the
Stratford Race Course
which holds about 15 meetings a year mostly in the summer
months.
Henley in Arden, Warwick, Leamington and
Kenilworth are all close by and there is easy access via a train
station and motorways of the M40, M5 and M42.
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Stretton-on-Fosse is a small village on the
Warwickshire/Gloucestershire border close to the Cotswold Hills.
It is very popular with ramblers as there are many footpaths
around the village. Many if the local buildings are built from
the local Cotswold stone and many are thatched.
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Warwick is probably best known for its magnificent
Warwick Castle - one of England's top attractions set in
gardens landscaped by Capability Brown.
The
historic town itself is well worth exploring. Here you can
browse in antique, china and gift shops and visit a number of
museums including the Doll Museum. St. John's, and Lord
Leycester Hospital - Warwick's 600 year old medieval treasure.
A fire
in 1694 destroyed much of the centre of the town but many of the
buildings survived or were re-built. The Warwickshire Museum -
Market Hall contains information about The Great Fire of Warwick
as well as displays of Archaeology, Geology and Natural History.
It also has free admission.
Warwick Racecourse is a popular destination for horse racing
enthusiasts and meetings are held throughout the year with a
range of afternoon, evening, weekday and weekend events.
For
refreshment, there are some good pubs, fine restaurants and
tearooms.
Warwick is just off the M40 Junction 15.
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