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Arbury Hall | | Just south-west of Nuneaton, Arbury Hall is an Elizabethan mansion house, gothicised by Sir Roger Newdegate in the 18th century. It is referred to in many of George Eliot's novels as she was born on the estate in 1819. The hall holds important paintings, furniture, glass and china, while the grounds show fine period gardening. |
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Baddesley Clinton | | In-between Warwick and Solihull, this picturesque medieval moated manor house and garden was let to two Catholic sisters of the Vaux family in the 1590s. During this period it became a centre of recusancy and various hiding places were created about the house. It is home to no fewer than 3 priest holes and is steeped with history from an era when Catholics were persecuted in England. |
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Charlecote Park | | Charlecote Park, by Wellesbourne, is set within a stunning deer park and was landscaped by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in the mid-18th century. The Lucy family, who came to England with William the Conqueror, has owned the land since 1247, and William Shakespeare is rumoured to have poached deer from the park. |
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Chesterton Windmill | | Located just south of Royal Leamington Spa, Chesterton Windmill was built in 1632 for Sir Edward Peyto, the owner of Chesterton Manor, and remained in working use right up until 1910. It isn't certain whether it was originally designed to be a windmill, or originally intended as a viewing point. There is also the idea that it was to be used as an observatory and would certainly make sense as it stands high on-top a hill with perfect views of the surrounding area and night sky. |
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Compton Verney | | 7 miles east of Stratford-upon-Avon, this Grade II classical parkland designed by 'Capabilty' Brown surrounds the newly-restored house which is now home to a major new Art Gallery.
The grounds are very beautiful and feature sweeping lawns and Cedars of Lebanon reflected in deep blue lakes. It is a lovely area to walk in when visiting the gallery. |
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Coughton Court | | A magnificent stately home between Studley and Alcester, Coughton Court holds a place in English history for its role in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and features an historical exhibition about the Gunpowder Plot. Owned and ran by the Trockmorton family it has stunning displays of roses and herbaceous plants - described as 'breath-taking' by the RHS. |
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Farnborough Hall
| | Located between Southam and Banbury, Farnborough Hall is a honey-coloured 18th-century stone house in a peaceful country setting and features both some of the finest decorative plasterwork in England and some of the most impressive pieces of landscaping in the country. The Holbech family acquired this estate in 1684 and its landscaped gardens have had little alteration in the last 200 years. From the grounds there are magnificent views across the Warwickshire plain towards Edgehill, Stratford and the Malvern Hills. |
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Garden Organic Ryton | | Located just east of Coventry by Ryton. The home of organic gardening in England, there are 10 acres of display gardens including native trees, a wildflower meadow and lake. Other features include the Paradise Garden, a bee garden, living willow strustures and the Vegetable Kingdon Visitor centre. |
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George Eliot's House | | George Eliot was born on the Arbury Park Estate in 1819, and her family moved to Griff House in Nuneaton when she was 4 or 5 months old. She continued to live there until she was 22. She referred to it as "..my old, old home" (Gordon Haight's George Eliot's Letters, Volume 3, p.224). She recalled memories of her time at Griff House and the surrounding area in her work. Griff House is still standing but is now a Beefeater pub of the same name. |
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Guys Cliffe House Ruins | | Partly built in and rising from the rock of the sandstone cliff, Guy’s Cliffe House in Warwick was one of the most attractive buildings in Warwickshire but is now a deeply atmospheric even spooky ruin situated in a beautiful spot on the banks of the River Avon just outside of Warwick. The site gets its name from the famous legend 'Guy of Warwick', killer of the Dun Cow, who lived as a hermit for years in a cave under the cliff by the river. |
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Hidcote Manor Gardens | | Located deep in the beautiful north Cotswolds by Chipping Camden, Hidcote Manor and Gardens have stunning views over the Vale of Evesham. It is renowned for having one of the greatest 20th century gardens in England, and has an excellent selection of old roses, unusual plants and also trees from around the world. |
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Hill Close Gardens | | These delightful Victorian gardens were once the refuge and recreation of the town centre residents of Warwick. High hedges enclosed secret gardens containing pretty brick summer houses and gnarled old fruit trees. After falling into dereliction, the gardens have now been cleared and replanting has started. A major restoration project, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and other donors have recently breathed new life into the gardens.
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Kenilworth Castle | | The largest castle ruin in england provides an exciting place to explore. There is a millenium Trail to the archaelogical remains of Henry VI's Pleasaunce (1417) and a restored Tudor Garden featuring lavendar and sage in which to catch your breath after having climbed steep steps. |
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Kiftsgate Court | | Kiftsgate Court was built around 1890, on top of Glyde Hill, 9 miles South of Stratford-upon-Avon and offers fantastic views over the Vale of Evesham. The name Kiftsgate is familiar to many gardeners as due to the Kiftsgate Rose, a vigorous but beautiful white-flowered climber. The present building had much of its gardens extended during the 1930’s and today features many tiered sections along the steep escarpment it sits on, as well as a half-moon swimming pool. |
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Kinwarton Dovecote | | Near Alcester, this circular 14th-century dovecote still houses hundreads of doves. An unusual pivoted ladder inside provides access to the nesting boxes. This can also be combined with a visit to nearby Charlecote Park. |
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The Lord Leycester Hospital, Masters Garden | | Restored Master's Garden in Warwick which is open Apr to Sept. This is an evocative restoration and recreation of the original elizabethan garden design providing a beautiful, tranquil spot in the town centre. There is a thatched summerhouse, a knot garden and an eighteenth century pineapple pit. A lovely place in early summer when the roses are out, while the haerbaceous borders and kitchen garden are a summer long delight. |
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Mill Gardens | | This ½-acre informal cottage garden created by Arthur Measures lies in a superb setting beneath the walls of Warwick Castle beside the River Avon in Warwick. It is a garden of winding paths through a delightful series of plantings that lead around each corner to dramatic views of the castle, mediaeval bridge, working castle mill and the river. It is a place of peace and beauty. |
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National Herb Centre | | The National Herb Centre based between Warwick and Banbury on the B4100 is the perfect place to visit to find out more about native herbs and plants. Over 500 varieties (90%+ from their own nurseries) of herb plants are available to delight the chef, intrigue the gardener and fascinate anyone with an interest in alternative medicine. Visit the display gardens, nature trail and the Millenium Walkway which runs through a spectacular valley setting. |
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Newnham Paddox Art Park | | Located just outside Rugby. Beautiful mature landscape with fine trees and lakes created by 'Capability' Brown between 1745 and 1753. Dazzling display of daffodils and bluebells suceeded by rhododendrons and water lilies and Autumn colour. The park provides an open air showcase for the work of living sculptors. |
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Packwood House | | This grand tudor manor house by Lapworth, Packwood House has been much-restored over the years and has a notable topiary and park. It was created by Graham Baron Ash, and its lavish interiors reflect the period between the world wars as well as containing a fine collection of 16 century textiles and furniture. The gardens have renowned herbaceous borders and a famous collection of yews. |
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Polesworth Abbey | | Located in the centre of Polesworth, legend has it that Polesworth Abbey was built by King Egbert to accommodate a convent of Irish nuns including St Modwen, who had miraculously cured his son from leprosy. Closed during the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century, today the monastery serves as a church for the local population. |
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Private Gardens in Warwickshire | | Gardening is a very popular in the county and there is a strong gardening culture. A number of private gardens are open to the public during the year as part of the National Gardens Scheme. Several gardens in Berkswell and Balsall Common, Moat Farm in Burton Green, and one of the most impressive private homes in Warwickshire, Maxstoke Castle, are all opened up. |
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Ragley Hall | | Home to the Marquess and Marchioness of Hertford, this magnificent Palladian House near Alcester houses a superb collection of paintings, china, furniture and wonderful ceilings decorated with Grisaille panels. Set in 400 acres of picturesque parkland landscaped by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the grounds include an enchanting rose garden, richly planted borders, mature woodland and the Jerwood Sculpture Park. For children there is an exciting woodland adventure playground, 3D maze and an extensive lakeside play and picnic area. |
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The Saxon Sanctuary | | St Peter's Church in Wootton Wawen, just outside of Stratford-upon-Avon, is the oldest in Warwickshire and known as The Saxon Sanctuary. The church is set in beautiful and peaceful surroundings. At first the visitor may think the long grass has just been left untended, but inside the church the visitor will find details of a scheme to encourage grasses and wild flowers, which is operating in selected churchyards in Warwickshire. The grass is cut at particular times of year (haymaking) to help the flowers. |
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Stoneleigh Abbey | | Founded in 1154 by a group of Cistercian monks, Stoneleigh Abbey by Kenilworth is the largest house in Warwickshire and reflects a rich mix of more than 900 years of history. The house has many richly furnished state rooms with oak and walnut panelling and reflect the abbey during the ownership of the Leigh family during the 18th century. |
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Upton House | | This late 17th-century house in the south of Warwickshire near Banbury houses a significant art collections of English and Continental Old Master paintings. Outside it features superb terraced gardens and herbaceous borders. |
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Warwick Castle | | 60 acres of grounds and gardens surround this magnificent castle in Warwick. The gardens include a late nineteenth-century formal Peacock garden with topiary, and a re-created victorian rose garden that looks wonderful in June. The eighteenth-century 'Capability' Brown parkland has been recently restored. |
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Wellesbourne Watermill | | Just outside of Stratford-upon-Avon, this working mill produces flour and demonstrates how grain is stone ground with the power of the great exposed water wheel. This finely ground organic flour also produces some of the best scones you’ll ever taste, so no visit would be complete without a trip to the tea room for a treat! |
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Wroxall Abbey | | The large Victorian building known as Wroxall Abbey, was built in 1861 and is located between Warwick and Knowle by Solihull. It is now a conference centre and restaurant. It sits next to where a Benedictine Priory was established at Wroxall in 1141 and remains of the original priory can still be found nearby. Once the country seat of several prominent families, including that of Sir Christopher Wren, Wroxall comprises a magnificent collection of listed buildings and private grounds. Richard Shakespeare, the grandfather of William Shakespeare, was here born in c1500. |