Warwick: Castle History and Riverside Routes

Warwick brings together several clearly defined themes for planning a trip: castle and town history, waterside routes, and gardens and nature watching. In Warwick, historical themes span everything from the first castle to medieval buildings; there are also specifically named walking and cycling routes. This lets you choose the focus of your stay based on culture, scenery or activity.

Castle and Town History

The first castle at Warwick Castle was built in 1068 as a wooden motte-and-bailey castle, on the orders of William the Conqueror. Lord Leycester is a historic attraction and an almshouse. The property includes one of the world’s finest surviving complexes of medieval timber-framed courtyards. Visitors can explore Lord Leycester independently or join regular tours led by the Brethren. As visitor arrangements may change, check the current options before your visit.

The medieval Beauchamp Chapel survived the devastating fire of 1694. It houses the tombs of former Earls of Warwick, including the tomb of Richard Beauchamp. Another historical feature is the Norman crypt, which contains one of only two surviving ducking stools in England.

The Market Hall Museum offers a different perspective. It tells the story of Warwickshire through its changing natural, built and human-shaped landscapes. In this way, landscape themes complement the history of the castle, courtyard complex and chapel with a perspective on the county as a whole.

Routes, Gardens and Nature

The Riverside Walk is 3½ miles (5½ km) long, connects Leamington and Warwick, and follows the River Leam, the Grand Union Canal and the River Avon. For trip planning, both its length and its route along three waterways offer clear points of reference.

The Mill Garden is on the banks of the River Avon, below the walls of Warwick Castle. In Warwick Castle’s Peacock Garden, colourful flowers mingle with free-roaming peacocks. The two gardens offer different experiences: one is set by the river below the castle walls, while the other features flowers and peacocks.

At Saltisford Arm, just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Warwick, moorhens, coots and ducks are regularly seen year-round. In summer, dragonflies and damselflies fly there. Kingfishers and herons can also be spotted; at dusk, you may see bats hunting over the water. Wildlife sightings therefore vary by season and time of day.

Cycling and a Special Tour

A cycle path runs through St Nicholas Park from Emscote Road to Myton Road. National Cycling Network Route 41, also known as the Lias Line, passes the entrance to Hill Close Gardens. These provide two different points of reference for planning a cycling trip: a park path with roads at either end, and a route that passes the garden entrance.

For racing enthusiasts, the “Horses for Courses” tour at Warwick Racecourse gives racegoers a behind-the-scenes look with a local racing expert. The tour takes place on race days, and arrangements may change. Check the planned tour dates in advance.

Getting There and Choosing a Hotel

Direct trains run from Warwick Town railway station to Birmingham, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, Banbury and London Marylebone. As routes and services may change, check the current timetable for your travel date.

When comparing hotels in Warwick, first decide which visits will shape your stay: historic places, the museum, waterside routes or a cycling trip. Then compare each hotel’s address with your planned destinations.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Earlswood, Newbold On Stour, Sutton Coldfield, Ratley, Wishaw, Brandon, Shustoke, Polesworth

For the main travel overview: Warwickshire.