Discover Warwickshire: Castles, Trails and Nature

The British Motor Museum is a great place to begin discovering Warwickshire and the history of the British motor car. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of historic British cars and an archive of more than one million objects. Its collections tell the story of the development of the car and the British motor industry over more than a century. They also offer insights into everyday life during this period, making a visit a combination of technological and cultural history.

Castles, gardens and theatre history

Warwick Castle is a medieval castle whose origins lie in a wooden fort built by William the Conqueror during the Norman period. Alongside historic rooms and grounds, the visitor experience includes jousting tournaments, birds of prey displays, a trebuchet and immersive medieval experiences. The programme may change, so check which experiences are currently available before your visit.

Kenilworth Castle also tells the story of England’s political and historical developments: for much of its 900-year history, the castle was at the centre of these events. The Elizabethan Garden was reconstructed using a detailed eyewitness account from 1575 and archaeological evidence. This makes the garden a highlight in its own right, alongside the castle’s long history. Anne Hathaway’s Cottage offers a different historical perspective: the 500-year-old, thatched half-timbered house is where Anne Hathaway was born and grew up.

At the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, visitors can explore the theatre and visit areas that are not usually open to the public. A backstage experience shows how live theatre is created, while the Royal Shakespeare Company’s history stretches from the 19th century to the present day. Tour routes and availability may change, so it is worth checking the latest visitor information. Warwickshire is also connected with Shakespeare’s birthplace and George Eliot’s “Middlemarch”, as well as with art, architecture and performances.

Parks and trails with a range of highlights

Rivers and canals shape Warwickshire’s landscape. Warwickshire Country Parks Service includes five country parks and three greenways, covering a total area of more than 1,200 acres. Its offerings include environmental education, fishing and play areas; activities and facilities may change. At Kingsbury Water Park, 15 lakes are spread across more than 600 acres of parkland. There are surfaced paths, opportunities to spot birds and wildlife, and bicycle hire. These offerings may also change.

For those looking to combine nature with a clearly defined route, there are trails of varying lengths and characteristics. Offchurch Greenway is a flat, surfaced walking and cycling route of 1.5 miles, with views across South Warwickshire. The 3.5-mile Riverside Walk connects Royal Leamington Spa and Warwick and is completely flat. At 1.5 miles, Offchurch Greenway is shorter than the 3.5-mile Riverside Walk. Routes and trails may change.

The Grand Union Canal and the greenways offer further options. From Royal Leamington Spa, the canal towpath runs mostly flat towards the 21 Hatton Locks and Warwick, and is suitable for walking and cycling. The short, traffic-free Kenilworth Greenway runs from the outskirts of Kenilworth to Burton Green. For a longer walk, a 100-mile long-distance trail starts at Kingsbury Water Park and passes through Warwickshire to near Upper Quinton. A five-mile surfaced route through the Stratford countryside passes two cafés in railway carriages. Check the latest route information before setting out.

Leam Valley Local Nature Reserve adds wetlands, woodland and grassland habitats across 300 acres, as well as a bird hide, to the range of trails. Which of these landscapes is right for your visit depends on whether you want to focus on a designated route, a walk, or watching birds and wildlife.

Markets, local producers and getting around

From spring to autumn, independent producers and street-food vendors bring Warwickshire’s market towns to life with recurring food festivals. There are also monthly farmers’ markets offering a selection of produce and handcrafted goods. A two-day Warwickshire trail visits distilleries, artisan cider producers, farm butcheries, artisan cafés and farm shops. Dates, formats and participating businesses may vary, so check what is currently on offer in advance.

If you travel by train, direct services take you to the centres of Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, Rugby and Kenilworth. These places are easy to explore on foot from the station. Warwickshire is also connected by rail, road and bus, and has a growing infrastructure for cyclists and sustainable travel. Transport services and connections may change; check the latest information when planning your journey.

Compare accommodation locations with the places you plan to visit, and check the connections that suit your own itinerary.

Discover more destinations:

Newbold On Stour, Nether Whitacre, Leamington Spa, Lea Marston, Kenilworth, Henley In Arden, Ettington, Claverdon, Bulkington, Bidford, Baginton, Atherstone, Alcester, Little Packington, Lighthorne, Haseley, Long Compton, Halford, Wishaw, Hatton, Coleshill, Ansty, Tanworth-In-Arden, Southam, Salford Priors, Oxhill, Earlswood, Newton Regis, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Lower Quinton, Sutton Coldfield, Wixford, Newbold on Avon, Lapworth, Cawston, Leek Wootton, Sutton-under-Brailes, Alderminster, Brinklow, Bedworth, Ratley, Polesworth, Great Alne, Aston Cantlow, Warwick, Brandon, Nuneaton, Fillongley, Marton, Curdworth, Bubbenhall, Kingsbury, Rugby, Wroxall, Long Itchington, Wormleighton, Studley, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Shustoke, Shipston On Stour, Kineton

For the main travel overview: West Midlands.