Often considered the "heart of England" Warwickshire has long been a fulcrum of English culture. The non-metropolitan county is best known for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare, but Warwickshire has much more to tempt history fans and anyone with enthusiasm for England's profound culture. Here is the list of some of the important places that you need to visit while exploring Warwickshire.
1. Warwick Castle
Built in 1068, Warwick Castle is one of the most impressive medieval structures in England, complete with gateways, towers, battlements, and a gigantic portcullis. You will find many interesting attractions here, including a maze, various displays, historical re-enactments where you can try sword-fight or archery. Surrounding the castle on three sides is the sturdy town of Warwick that was initially established as a strategic fortified town in the ancient kingdom of Mercia.
2. Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle is another impressive medieval castle, established in the 12th century. The castle has its links with some significant names in English history, including John of Gaunt, Queen Elizabeth I, Victorian novelist Walter Scott, Simon de Montfort, the English Civil War, and the Wars of the Roses.
3. Stratford-upon-Avon
This historic town is the place where Shakespeare was born and died. Reminders of his life still exist here including his birthplace, his (probably) childhood home, the mansion he moved to after returning to Stratford from London, and his final resting place in the Holy Trinity Church.
4. Charlecote Park
A couple of miles east from Stratford-upon-Avon is this grand 16th-century country house surrounded by its own deer park. Owned by the National Trust, this house is a mix of Victorian, Georgian, and Tudor architecture.
5. Coventry Cathedral
Although now a part of West Midlands, the city of Coventry is culturally and historically part of Warwickshire. Infamously destroyed in the 1940s by WWII bombing, the city has a few medieval remnants including St Mary's Guildhall, once a prison for Mary Queen of Scots. The most stunning of all is Coventry Cathedral, a solid geometric structure completed in 1962 adjoining the dramatic ruins of the old cathedral. While you are in the area, do visit the Coventry Transport Museum, which houses the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles in the world.
6. Know about the history of rugby
As legend has it, in 1823 while playing soccer, one of the schoolboys caught the ball in his hands and ran, thus originating the distinctive feature of rugby. You can visit the school in the second largest town in Warwickshire, with the same name.
7. The forest of Arden
Immortalized by Shakespeare as the setting for his famous pastoral comedy 'As You Like It', the forest still has mythical status. To get a glimpse of Arden's history, visit the Wayside Cross at Coughton Court, where travelers used to pray for safe passage through the dense forest.
Read:Top 10 Outdoor Activities in London
Read:Top 10 Outdoor Activities in London
8. Even the roads of Warwickshire tell about its history!
From 43 to 410 AD, England was part of the Roman Empire. The colonizers built extensive roads to control their territory. Places to drive along these roads include Watling Street (now known as A5), Icknield Street, and the Fosse Way (now known as sleepy B4455).
Conclusion
Warwickshire could have been just another picturesque English had it not been the birth of one of the famous wordsmiths in the world. The sights linked to the life of Shakespeare are a magnet for tourists from all around the world. Other historic sites, such as like the famous Warwick Castle and the Kenilworth Castle ruins, attract similar crowds. So dive into the rich history of Warwickshire.
In case you plan to travel to few European countries, here are few quick reads for you...
In case you plan to travel to few European countries, here are few quick reads for you...