The beautiful county of Warwickshire sits right in the heart of England. This historic county has verdant countryside, peaceful villages, an incredible 11th century castle and is also the birthplace of Shakespeare.

Well located in the middle of England, it’s the perfect place for a weekend away or as part of a longer UK trip.

Here are my favourite things to do in Warwickshire.

Warwick Castle

The superb Warwick Castle is an 11th century castle that really brings its history to life. Not only is it one of the most well-preserved castles in the UK, it’s also one of the best to visit. Read my full review and guide to spending a day at Warwick Castle here.

Shakespeare Country

Warwickshire is firmly Shakespeare country. Stratford-Upon-Avon was the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and there’s plenty of the playwright’s history to explore in the area.

Stratford-Upon-Avon

The bustling town of Stratford-upon-Avon packs a real punch when it comes to Shakespeare history.

Don’t miss:

• Shakespeare’s Birthplace – right in the heart of Stratford is the house Shakespeare was born in. Shakespeare’s birthplace now also contains a museum all about Shakespeare’s life. For discounted tickets click here,
• Shakespeare’s New Place – purchased by Shakespeare in 1597, New Place was the largest house in the borough.
• Hall’s Croft – a Jacobean hall and the home of Shakespeare’s daughter.
• Mary Arden’s Farm – the childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother.
• Anne Hathaway’s Cottage – located just outside Stratford, this chocolate box cottage is where Shakespeare’s wife lived as a child.

The Shakespeare houses are all close to each other and easy to visit, but if you’d prefer a tour why not join the Stratford Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour?

Also located in Stratford are three theatres operated by the Royal Shakespeare Company including the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

For something a little more picturesque, why not go boating on the Avon river. You can hire a boat or join a river cruise – have a look here for the list of tour operators.

Royal Leamington Spa

Royal Leamington Spa is a beautiful regency town, with grand Georgian architecture everywhere you look.

Don’t miss the Royal Pump Rooms – once home to 19th century spa baths and now a museum – and Jephson Gardens, a tranquil Victorian park in the middle of the town.

Kenilworth Castle

Once one of England’s most spectacular castles, Kenilworth Castle still maintains its grandeur today.

Now sadly in ruins and somewhat overshadowed by the much showier Warwick Castle nearby, Kenilworth Castle is nevertheless worth visiting. The setting of the castle, the stories it tells and the gardens that surround it make for a good half-day out.

Country Houses

Warwickshire has more than its fair share of grand country houses to explore, some of which have now been converted into luxury hotels.

My favourite is Ettington Park because it happens to be where I got married, but there’s also Upton House, Baddesley Clinton and Charlecote Park to name a few. You can find out more information about these through the National Trust.

Where To Stay in Warwickshire

The larger towns of Warwick, Leamington and Stratford would make good bases for the area.

There are also a multitude of pretty villages with cottages and pubs to stay in such as Barton-on-the-Heath, Little Compton and Stoneleigh.

And let’s not forget the wonderful Ettington Park Hotel for a bit of luxury – or a wedding!

If you’re planning to visit Warwick Castle, I would highly recommend staying onsite at the Warwick Castle Hotel – you can read my full review here.

Getting To Warwickshire

Thanks to its situation right in the heart of England, Warwickshire is easy to get to from everywhere.

If you’re driving it’s less than 2 hours from London and 30 minutes from Birmingham. If you need to rent a car use rentalcars.com for competitive prices.

If you’d prefer to relax and let someone else do the driving, there are many tour operators that will take you around the highlights of Warwickshire. This tour of Warwick Castle, Oxford, Stratford and the Cotswolds which leaves from London would be a great option if you’re just looking for a day trip.

By train Warwickshire is well connected with major stations in Warwick, Leamington Spa and Stratford. For great prices on train tickets have a look on thetrainline.com.

Further Afield

The magnificent Cotswolds are right on your doorstep just to the south.

Or for something a little more urban, Birmingham is just to the north. With its back-to-back houses, industrial history and excellent curries, Birmingham has a lot to offer. Read my 12 things to do in Dudley and Birmingham.

If you love the history and countryside of Warwickshire, you’ll also enjoy Northumberland, with more castles than any other county, and Yorkshire, with its moors, dales and coast.

We recently visited Warwickshire as part of a month-long road trip around England. Read the full trip report and learn more about my nostalgia for this beautiful county here.