The beautiful county in the West Midlands region of England is chock-full of the finest historical attractions in the country. Warwickshire is home to Shakespeare’s birthplace, a fine Georgian spa town, and one of the best castles to visit in England.
Its countryside and landscapes are pretty special too and are made up of stunning woodlands, lovely country parks, and picturesque rolling hills. Here are the best and most beautiful places to visit in Warwickshire…
1. Stratford-upon-Avon – one of the most stunning places to explore in Warwickshire
Beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon is a fine historic market town that is located roughly 90 miles northwest of London which was the 16th-century birthplace of William Shakespeare.
Its population is roughly 28,000 people, and besides featuring a lot of places to eat, drink, and shop, you can also enjoy museums, theater, musical events, and even a yearly festival in late April celebrating William Shakespeare.
There are also farms, armories, elegant chapels, and some of the most beautiful churches you’ve ever seen. History buffs will definitely love this town, as well anyone who enjoys architecture or literature.
Must-see attractions include the house where Shakespeare was born, the Royal Shakespeare theatre and Shakespeare’s Guildhall and Schoolroom.
2. Anne Hathaway’s Cottage – one of the best attractions to visit in Warwickshire
Named for the wife of William Shakespeare, this cottage has 12 rooms, numerous bedrooms, and fantastic gardens that everyone will love. On the grounds are many sculptures and garden paths, and in Shakespeare’s day it sat on 90 acres.
It has several chimneys, the largest of which was made for cooking. The earliest part of the cottage was built in the 15th century, while the higher part was built in the 17th century. Despite its name, the home is really very large and features Tudor-style architecture.
3. Warwick Castle – 0ne of the most spectacular places to visit in Warwickshire
The best and most famous attraction to visit in Warwickshire, Warwick Castle was built in the 12th century and is now a Grade I listed building.
The grounds consist of stables, a mill, a lodge, and even a conservatory. There is a trebuchet on the property that is the largest one in the world, and today, numerous exhibits are on display, which rotates occasionally for variety.
The gardens alone cover nearly 700 acres, and although the castle is open to the public, parts of it are in fact privately owned. This is a stately-looking building indeed, and it’s one of the most significant castles in all of England.
4. The Mill Gardens – a pretty attraction to explore near Warwick Castle
The Mill Gardens are adjacent to Warwick Castle and take up half an acre of space. Although it is a private garden, it is open to the public.
Garden enthusiasts love it because views of the river can be easily seen from the property, thanks to the way things are planted, and it is close to the remains of the Old Castle Bridge, which once took people over the River Avon to Warwick.
The garden also has a pathway which makes it easy to get to, and you can occasionally see swans nesting close to the gardens.
5. Royal Leamington Spa – a beautiful, historic and elegant former Georgian spa town to explore
Also called Royal Leamington Spa, this is a small spa town that used to be called Leamington Priors. It got its name from the water in the town, which many people believe has medicinal qualities.
While tourism here was initially due to the spring waters there, people now visit the town for its shopping, art galleries, live music events, community centers, and the many festivals that it hosts throughout the year.
If you love Victorian and Georgian architecture, this is the place to be because there are numerous buildings in town that feature these types of architecture, and they can be easily found.
6. Warwick – a historic town great for exploring which date from 914 AD
A market town with a population of 32,000, Warwick not only houses some of the most beautiful structures you’ve ever seen, but there is also a lot to do there.
This includes fairs and festivals, concerts, horse races, and sporting events.
Walking through the town and enjoying the many types of architecture found there is worth the trip, and there are plenty of places to eat and shop whenever you feel like you need a break. As far as quaint towns go, this is one of the best.
7. Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve – a great beauty spot to visit in Warwickshire
This site of special scientific interest (SSSI) sits adjacent to the River Avon and is the headquarters for the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. It sits on nearly 230 acres and is leased to the Trust.
The reserve supports birds, mammals, and insects, as well as more than 500 species of plants and roughly 570 species of fungi.
Best of all, you can visit this amazing facility seven days a week, and today it consists mostly of woodland, reedbeds, gravel pits, scrubland, and fen, making it a true gem and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Warwickshire.
8. Welford-on-Avon – a picturesque village set in the heart of South Warwickshire
Located roughly four miles from Stratford-upon-Avon, this village is home to less than 2,000 people but is very popular with tourists. There is a village maypole that is 65 feet high, making it one of the tallest maypoles in England.
The maypole was wooden at one time but is now made of aluminum, and the town also has several Tudor-style cottages and pubs, as well as an excellent school system. With lots of trees and lush green areas, you can visit it any time and enjoy its beauty.
9. Welcombe Hills
Welcombe Hills is a winery that has been around since 2001. They specialize in red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines, and they can even help you pick out something you’ll love if you’re not sure what to choose.
Wines from this vineyard have won many different awards, so you can trust them to be delicious every time. It is a lovely winery that is located near Stratford-upon-Avon.
The owners even help people get started making their own wines, so this is truly a very unique winery. They grow both red and white grapes and produce wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir, to name a few.
10. Kenilworth and Kenilworth Castle – a popular place to explore in Warwickshire
This town and castle are definitely something to see, and visiting them should be on your bucket list if you love history, architecture, or castles.
Founded in the early 1120s, the castle has been renovated several times, which is why it looks so extraordinary today.
The form, overall design, and quality of the workmanship are what make the castle so special, and since it sits on a very large piece of property, you will have a lot to enjoy and to view when you visit this area of Warwickshire.
11. Hartshill Hayes Country Park – a gorgeous beauty spot perfect for a family day out
Covering 137 acres of land, this property is stunning because it is hilly and offers some extraordinary views, regardless of where you go while you’re there.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity while in Warwickshire, this is a great option because it is safe and filled with activities that are fun for both kids and adults.
There are numerous trails to walk and hike, a kids’ playground, geocaching opportunities, and even a visitor center where they can give you ideas on what to do next.
It is free to enter, and you can either bring your own food and have a picnic while you’re there or buy something to eat once you get there.
12. Chesterton Windmill – a famous feature of the Warwickshire landscape
A Grade I listed building, this windmill was built in the 17th century, is made of stone, and is cylindrical in shape. It is located in southeast Warwickshire and certainly stands out among the other landmarks.
Some people think it was once an observatory, but in reality, it has always been a windmill.
This means that the Chesterton windmill is the earliest tower mill in England to keep any of its working parts. It was built in the 1630s on top of a platform that is close to 72 feet in diameter.
It consists of two small and two large windows, and it has undergone at least three renovations so far. Interestingly, there is a very similar windmill to this one located in the United States in Newport, Rhode Island.
13. Temple Grafton – one of the prettiest villages to visit in Warwickshire
Temple Grafton is a village in the Stratford district of Warwickshire and is known as one of the Shakespeare villages because it is thought that he visited this area at some point.
Some of the buildings that liven up the landscape include St. Andrew’s Church, a 19th-century Gothic revival house called Grafton Court, and several halls, pubs, and sports clubs.
It is a beautiful town with lots of lush greenery that everyone will enjoy, making it one of the many sites you won’t want to miss if you visit this area.
14. Charlecote Park – a grand 16th-century country house, surrounded by its own deer park
A beautiful 16th-century country house with its own deer park, Charlecote Park sits on the banks of the River Avon and has been administered by the National Trust since 1946.
The gardens are amazing with their well-manicured greenery and the inside of the house is very ornate and detailed for extra beauty.
It is open to the public and therefore, you can see some of its amazing furniture, artwork, wood paneling, and multi-colored wallpaper. It’s the perfect place to tour when you want to go back in time for a while.
15. Arbury Hall – a Grade I listed country house in Nuneaton, Warwickshire
This is a Grade I listed country home that sits on 300 acres and has architecture that is a mix between Gothic Revival and Tudor styles.
It is an exquisite house that has been featured in numerous films and television programs, including the movie Angels and Insects and the BBC-TV series Land Girls.
It consists of a lot of parklands and therefore has a lot of beautiful greenery, and it even has a few small ponds that dot the landscape. It is certainly worth the trip to this area of Warwickshire because it is an attraction that won’t disappoint.
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Scott started his travelling life back in 1999, when he headed off on a solo jaunt to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia with just a backpack, a camera and a spirit for adventure. After that, the travel bug bit hard and now he is always seeking to head off somewhere new. Over the years he has lived in Italy, Qatar, Ireland, UK and the US but his spiritual home will always be Rome as this is the city which most satisfies his unrelenting craving for culture, good food and great football. Scott loves nothing better than to be behind the camera and also runs his own blog and Instagram page. He also counts Melbourne, Cape Town and Tel Aviv among his favourite places. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @scottbalaam