Warwickshire, county in west-midlands of England; bounded N. by Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire, E. by Northamptonshire, S. by Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, and W. by Worcestershire; greatest length, N. and S., 52 miles; greatest breadth, E. and W., 32 miles; area, 566,271 acres, population 737,339. Warwickshire presents a pleasant undulating surface of hill and dale, watered by the Avon, Learn, and Tame. The climate is mild and healthy, and the soil, except some cold stiff clays on the higher grounds, is fertile. It consists chiefly of a strong red loam adapted for wheat and beans, or a sandy loam for barley and turnips. Much land is kept in permanent pasture for grazing. Formerly the county was thickly wooded (that part N. of the Avon being called the Forest of Arden), and fine timber is still abundant. Geologically it mainly belongs to the secondary formation. A coal field, 16 miles by 3 miles, extends from the neighbourhood of Coventry to the border of Staffordshire, E. of Tamworth. The principal minerals are coal, ironstone, limestone, freestone, blue flagstone, and fire-clay. The manufactures are carried on chiefly at Birmingham (hardware and silk goods) and Coventry (watches and ribbons). There are mineral springs at Leamington, Stratford on Avon, Umington, Southam, Willoughby, King’s Newnham, &c. The county is traversed in all directions by canals and railways. Warwickshire comprises 4 hundreds, 256 parishes, with parts of 7 others, the parliamentary and municipal boroughs of Birmingham and Coventry, the parliamentary boroughs of Aston Manor and Warwick and Leamington, and the municipal boroughs of Leamington, Stratford on Avon, and Warwick. It is mostly in the diocese of Worcester.
– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)
Note: for Birmingham and Coventry, see West Midlands.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Cottage Lane, Shottery
Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 9HH
01789 292100
Discover where the young William Shakespeare courted his future bride Anne Hathaway at her picturesque family home. Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is a thatched farmhouse containing many original items of family furniture, including the Hathaway Bed. It is nestled within stunning grounds and gardens, overflowing with fragrant blooms and traditional shrubs..
Baddesley Clinton – National Trust
Baddesley Clinton Rising Lane
Baddesley Clinton B93 0DQ
01564 783294
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/baddesley-clinton
From refuge to haven, this atmospheric moated house has been a sanctuary since the 15th century, hiding persecuted Catholics in its three priest holes, and was home to the Ferrers family for 500 years. The peaceful gardens include fish pools, a romantic lake and a walled garden filled with colours for every season.
Bedworth Society Parsonage Heritage Centre
All Saints Square
Bedworth CV12 8NR
024 7636 4446
www.bedworth-society.co.uk
The cellar of the Almshouses has been completely renovated to house changing exhibitions focusing on the cultural, industrial and agricultural history of the town.
Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre & Country Park
Sutton Cheney
Nuneaton CV13 OAD
01455 290429
Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and Country Park is a unique day out for all the family. Relive this famous turning point in British history – the death of a King and the birth of the all powerful Tudor dynasty.
Charlecote Park – National Trust
Charlecote Park
Warwick CV35 9ER
01789 470277
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/charlecote-park
The home of the Lucy family for over 700 years, the mellow brickwork and great chimneys of Charlecote seem to sum up the very essence of Tudor England. There are strong associations with both Queen Elizabeth and Shakespeare, who knew the house well – he is alleged to have been caught poaching the estate deer.
Chedham’s Yard
All enquiries via 2 School Road
Wellesbourne CV35 9NH
01789 842770
Discover this secret wheelwrights, blacksmiths and much more. Chedham’s Yard is a prize-winning heritage site, restored and maintained by a hard working team of volunteers.
Compton Verney
Compton Verney
Warwick CV35 9HZ
01926 645500
Visitors of all ages are warmly welcomed to this award-winning art gallery. Housed in a grade I listed Robert Adam mansion and surrounded by stunning ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland, Compton Verney offers a great day out. Be enthralled by our programme of exhibitions, explore art from around the world and stroll along our woodland walk.
Coughton Court – National Trust
National Trust, Coughton Court
Alcester B49 5JA
01789 400777
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coughton-court
Coughton Court is a beautiful Tudor house set in 25 acres of landscaped gardens in Alcester, Warwickshire. Through its rich and varied history, the house has witnessed some of the most defining moments in British history – from the court of Henry VIII to the Gunpowder plot of 1605.
Falstaff Experience, The
40 Sheep Street
Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6EE
01789 298070
www.falstaffexperience.co.uk
The Falstaff Experience’s Tudor World is an award-winning museum of Tudor life, gift shop and theatre set within one of Stratford’s most historic buildings. It is the real life home of Shakespeare’s famous comic character John Falstaff.
Hall’s Croft – Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Old Town
Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BG
01789 292 107
Wander through the elegant home of Susanna Shakespeare and her husband, Dr John Hall. Enjoy the luxurious rooms and beautiful decoration of this fascinating house, befitting a wealthy physician of Dr John Hall’s status.
Harvard House & the Museum of British Pewter
Harvard House, High Street
Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6AU
01789 204507
An architectural gem, boasting an ornately carved timber framed frontage, Harvard House is a fine example of an Elizabethan town house, rebuilt in 1596 by master butcher Thomas Rogers. His daughter Katherine was the mother of John Harvard, who gave his name to the USA’s Harvard University. The house is also the home of the museum of British Pewter.
Heritage Motor Centre
Banbury Road, Gaydon
Warwick CV35 0BJ
01926 641188
www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk
The Heritage Motor Centre is home to the world’s largest collection of British Cars; it boasts nearly 300 cars in its collection which span the classic, vintage and veteran eras and is a mecca for car enthusiasts.
Kenilworth Castle – English Heritage
Castle Green
Kenilworth CV8 1NE
01926 852078
Enjoy a great day out in Warwickshire at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden. One of the largest historic attractions in the West Midlands, the whole family will enjoy exploring the spectacular castle ruins. The ruins are best known as the home of Robert Dudley, the great love of Queen Elizabeth I.
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum
Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade
Royal Leamington Spa CV32 4AA
01926 742700
www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms
Award winning Art Gallery and Museum with services on offer including: fine art collection, exhibition on the history of Royal Leamington Spa, cabinet of curiosities, restored Victorian Turkish baths room and more.
London & North Western Railway Society – Staff History Group
34 Falmouth Close
Nuneaton CV11 6GB
024 7638 1090
We aim to collect and disseminate information about the London and North Western Railway, its constituents and its successors. We are interested in the infrastructure of the railway, the men and women who made it work, as well as the engines and rolling stock which it built and used.
Lunt Roman Fort
Coventry Road
Baginton CV8 3AJ
024 76786142
Close to the Air Museum in Baginton, is the Lunt Roman Fort, once inhabited by the Roman Army. This ancient site provides a fascinating snapshot of Roman military life.
Market Hall Museum
Market Hall, Market Place
Warwick CV34 4SA
01926 412 500
www.warwickshire.gov.uk/museum
Built in 1670 as a market place, it originally contained arches on all four walls (later converted to windows), to provide under-cover space for stalls. In the 19th century, the archways were railed off, and the space was used for stocks. The building is now a branch of Warwick County Museum, concentrating upon the history, natural history, archaeology and social history of Warwickshire. It also houses the world famous Sheldon Tapestry Map of Warwickshire.
Mary Arden’s Farm
Station Road, Wilmcote
Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 9UN
01789 293455
Be surrounded by the sights, sounds and smells of a Tudor farm at Mary Arden’s Farm. Discover the daily routine of a 16th century farm and marvel as the farmer, maid and labourer bring the farm to life. Home of Shakespeare’s grandparents and childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother, Mary Arden.
Midland Air Museum
Coventry Airport
Baginton CV8 3AZ
01203 301 033
www.midlandairmuseum.co.uk
Our exhibits range from the magnificent Avro Vulcan bomber through more than 30 other historic aircraft, both civil and military, aero engines and other artefacts, to a wide range of memorabilia. We’re particularly proud of our collection of material relating to Sir Frank Whittle, the Coventry-born engineer who designed the jet engine which made modern high-speed aircraft and economical air travel possible.
New Place / Nash’s House
Chapel Street
Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6EP
01789 292 325
Nash’s House was named after Thomas Nash, first husband of Shakespeare’s granddaughter, and a wealthy local property owner. Today, it is a well preserved Tudor building and the ground floor is furnished as it would have been in Nash’s day. Next door to Nash’s House are the foundations of New Place. This was the house bought by William Shakespeare in 1597.
Nuneaton & North Warwickshire Family History Society
34 Falmouth Close
Nuneaton CV11 6OB
024 7638 1090
The NNWFHS started life as the Nuneaton Family History Group. Because of our rapidly increasing membership and the family interests that many of our members have in North Warwickshire we expanded our area and changed our name to reflect this in April 1998.
Nuneaton Museum & Art Gallery
Riversley Park, Coton Road
Nuneaton CV11 5TU
024 7635 0720
www.nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk/museum
The museum and Art Gallery is set in the beautiful Riversley Park and has three galleries which house regularly changing temporary and touring art exhibitions. We also have galleries devoted to permanent displays of local author George Eliot, local history and our fine art collection.
Packwood House – National Trust
Packwood Lane
Lapworth B94 6AT
01564 782024
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/packwood-house
Much-restored Tudor house, park and garden with notable topiary. The culmination of a lifetime of dreams: salvaged objects and exotic pieces come together in a Jacobean meets Edwardian style.
Queen’s Own Hussars Regimental Museum
Lord Leycester Hospital, High Street
Warwick CV34 4BH
01962 492035
www.qohmuseum.org.uk/index-2.htm
The collection is displayed to give a comprehensive history of the regiment from its foundation in the late 17th century up to the present, with emphasise on both horse and tank warfare.
Ragley Hall
Ragley
Alcester B49 5NJ
01789 768694
www.ragley.co.uk
Country estate with a Palladian mansion, designed by Robert Hooke and open in summer, plus gardens.
Roman Alcester
Globe House
Alcester B49 5DZ
01789 7662216
Established around AD 47, the town of Alcester grew up around a fort located on the Roman road of Icknield Street, which stretched hundreds of miles from the North East to the South West of England. Thanks in part to being on the salt route from nearby Droitwich, Alcester developed into a town of bustling streets, temples and workshops.
Collections: Designed specifically to evoke everyday life in Roman Alcester, the museum displays many of artefacts discovered in the town. As well these items, there is an interactive area where visitors can handle and sort the archaeological evidence.
Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum – Royal Warwickshire
Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum, St John’s House
Warwick CV34 4NF
01926 491653
www.warwickfusiliers.co.uk
The museum tells the story of one of the oldest Regiments in the country, the 6th Foot (Royal Warwickshire Regiment), from its raising in 1674 to the Fusilier of the present day.
RSC Collection
RSC, The Courtyard Theatre
Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BB
01789 296655
www.rsc.org.uk
The RSC Collection consists of several thousand items, not counting the large archive of photographs and documents held by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. It was first put together in the late 19th century and held in a purpose built section of the original Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.
Rugby Art Gallery & Museum
Little Elborow Street
Rugby CV21 3BZ
01788 533201
www.ragm.org.uk
Rugby Collection of 20th century and contemporary British art including prints and paintings by Stanley Spencer, Bridget Riley, L S Lowry and Lucian Freud. Tripontium Collection of Roman artefacts from an important Roman settlement near Rugby. Social History Collection reflecting Rugby’s industrial history, impact of war and the changing pattern of family life.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace & the Shakespeare Centre
Henley Street
Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6QW
01789 204 016
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is an independent charity that cares for Shakespeare’s heritage. It owns five Shakespeare Houses in and around Stratford-upon-Avon, all directly linked to Shakespeare.
Southam Heritage Collection
Basement, Vivian House 2, 1 Market Hill
Southam CV47 0HF
The Southam Heritage Collection (previously know as Southam’s Cardall Collection) contains over 4,500 documents and items relating to the history of Southam and the surrounding villages. In addition it houses the Alan Griffin photographic archive consisting of over 1,000 unique local photographs plus 450 glass plate negatives from the early 20th century.
St John’s House Museum
St John’s
Warwick CV34 4NF
01926 412021
www.warwickshire.gov.uk/museum
St John’s House Museum occupies the ground floor of this 17th century historic house, with its gardens, a grassy picnic area and a nearby spacious car park. There is a Victorian school room and a kitchen, full of drawers to open and cupboards to explore; a real experience of how people lived in the past.
Stoneleigh Abbey
Stoneleigh Abbey
Kenilworth CV8 2LF
01926 858535
With humble beginnings as a Cistercian monastic house in 1154, Stoneleigh Abbey was converted at the Dissolution into a comfortable family home. One of the seats of the Leigh family, Stoneleigh has played host to several people of note, including King Charles I, Queen Victoria, and novelist Jane Austen.
Upton House & Gardens – National Trust
Upton House and Gardens
nr Banbury OX15 6HT
01295 670266
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/upton-house
Outstanding art collections in a 17th-century mansion, with superb terraced gardens: outstanding collection of English and Continental Old Master paintings; important collections of English and French 18th-century porcelain; fascinating exhibition of Shell advertising posters from 1920s and 30s.
Warwick Castle
Castle Hill
Warwick CV34 4QU
0870 442 2000
www.warwick-castle.co.uk
Bursting to the towers with tales of treachery and torture, passion and power and above all fascinating people, times and events, Warwick Castle is so much more than simply a castle. Experience preparations for battle, feel the weight of a sword and get a soldiers eye view from beneath a battle helmet, see lavishly decorated State Rooms fit for Kings & Queens, watch as a Victorian household prepares for a Royal Weekend Party and discover how electricity was generated over 100 years ago to light up the castle.
Warwickshire County Record Office
Priory Park
Warwick CV34 4JS
01926 738959
Warwickshire County Record Office is involved in safeguarding, managing and developing Warwickshire’s archives so that they can be accessed, interpreted and enjoyed by all those with an interest in Warwickshire’s past and its people. We hold records dating from the 12th century up to the 21st to do with Warwickshire’s history.
Warwickshire Family History Society
44 Abbotts Lane
Coventry CV1 4AZ
www.wfhs.org.uk
We were established in 1986 and our aim is to help people everywhere conduct research into their Warwickshire ancestors. We cover the entire county and are the only family history society devoted solely to the whole of Warwickshire.
Warwickshire Museum Field Services
The Butts
Warwick CV34 4SS
01926 412500
www.warwickshire.gov.uk/museum
Warwickshire Museum Field Services, based at The Butts, Warwick, comprises the County’s Archaeological and Ecological Teams.
Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum
The Court House, Jury Street
Warwick CV34 4EW
01926 494837
www.warwickshire-yeomanry-museum.co.uk
We are a regimental museum completely supported by volunteers and our aim is to safeguard the heritage and collective memory of those who have served with the Warwickshire Yeomanry so that both present and future generations may learn the importance of the past through its history.