Situated on the banks of the River Avon, Warwick is well located and steeped in history. You’re within a short driving distance of places like Stratford upon Avon (birthplace of Shakespeare), Birmingham, Leamington Spa and many other towns. Certainly this is a town which makes an ideal base for exploring not just the town of Warwick but the many attractions that are located relatively close to it. Here we’ll take a look at some of the things Warwick can offer you.
Warwick Castle – Whilst you can treat this as “just” a castle, there is much more to it: you should allow a full day to take in everything. The hands-on displays mean you can feel just how heavy a sword was or what it would have been like to be a foot soldier getting ready for battle. Plus you have the chance to experience what it was like when you went into battle wearing a helmet. Then after all this excitement take time out to visit the State Rooms which have been lavishly decorated and see how the household prepares for a party taking place in Victorian times.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace – The house in which Shakespeare was born is 8 miles from Warwick in the town of Stratford Upon Avon. This tourist attraction is the very house where Shakespeare was born. It features a number of exhibitions that give you an insight into the bard’s life, including his famous writing. You’ll be drawn into the reconstructions complete with sound effects along with the original artifacts help to capture the feeling of this man’s life.
To reach the house itself one bases through what is considered to be a traditional English garden. As you walk through it you will see flowers, herbs and trees have been planted in it which Shakespeare loved and which are mentioned in his plays. It is thanks to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust that this house has been restored to its former glory very carefully to ensure that many of its original features have been retained.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage – Just a short trip from Shakespeare’s birth place is Shottery here is the home where his future wife spent her early years. Although it is called a cottage today when his bride Anne lived in it and Shakespeare courted her it was quite a substantial farmhouse. Anne Hathaway’s descendents lived here until the late 1800’s when the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust bought the building.
The cottage can trace its roots back to the 16th & 17th centuries but there are two curved oak beams which were erected in 1463. As you wander inside the cottage you will find that little has changed and not just the original open hearth fireplace, which is still in location in the living room, lots of original panels as well. There are pieces of original period furniture in the cottage and includes the Hathaway Bed an old four poster one.
Lunt Roman Fort – Obviously much older than Warwick Castle, as its name suggests this was a Roman Army fort. Using the archaeological evidence found on the site a faithful reconstruction of the fort has been accomplished. You’ll get a feel for how life was for members of the ancient Roman army. The various archaeological digs here have contributed many of the museum’s pieces together with a model of how the fort would likely have looked in its heyday.
When you next visit Warwick, you can choose your Warwick accommodation here.
