Things to do in Warwick

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Warwickshire

Shakespeare's Birthplace

Stratford-upon-Avon, 180km west of London, is where the playwright Shakespeare was born and died. Shakespeare's Birthplace (also known as Shakespeare's House) is located on the north side of Henry Street in the town. It is a two-storey residence with a loft. It has a quaint half-timbered structure, a sloped tile roof, an exterior wall of primary earth color, and windows that protrude outside the wall. And the portico make this 16th century old house special among the surrounding buildings. It is now a popular attraction in the UK and is visited by many tourists. Walking into this old house, you will see furniture that is completely in accordance with Shakespeare's life, and the walls are decorated with exquisite paintings. Shakespeare was born here and spent his childhood and adolescence here. The former residence displays Shakespeare's handwriting, coins of the year, IOUs from friends who borrowed money from Shakespeare and other items. The cradle where he slept as a child can be seen in the bedroom where he was born. The house also houses a workshop by Shakespeare's father, John. When visiting, I often encounter actors performing in the house such as "Hamlet" and other bridges, which is very interesting. Behind the house is a beautiful small garden, and sometimes there are open-air theater performances. The actors' exaggerated language, expressions, and actions are exactly the style of Shakespeare's plays. Because you can only buy a combined ticket, you can also visit Hall's Croft, Nash's House & New Place, and Shakespeare's Grave after seeing Shakespeare's birthplace. These three places are relatively close to Shakespeare's birthplace, just walk there. Hall's House was the residence of Shakespeare's daughter Susannah and her husband, Dr. Hall, and was a mansion at the time. Nash's House is the home of Shakespeare's granddaughter and husband Nash. There is a new house next door that Shakespeare bought, and it is also the place where he wrote "The Tempest" and other later works and died. And Shakespeare's grave is also in the town. If you have enough time, you can also buy a five-house pass (ShakespeareFiveHousePass), you can visit two more attractions. One is Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the home of Shakespeare's wife, which is especially beautiful in the summer. The second is Mary Arden's Farm, the home of Shakespeare's mother, which is still in operation. These two places are 10-20 minutes' drive from Shakespeare's birthplace, and you can take a sightseeing bus to go there. In addition to visiting several former residences related to Shakespeare, you can also stroll around the town at will, the scenery is good, and there are Shakespeare elements everywhere. There are plenty of cafés, restaurants and souvenir shops in town, and it's nice to sit down for a coffee, a bite to eat or send a postcard.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Warwickshire

Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle is a medieval-style castle located in Warwick, the capital of Warwickshire, England. Situated on the edge of a cliff overlooking the bend of the Avon River. Warwick Castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068 and was originally used as a fortification until Sir Fluke Grevey converted it into a country house in the early seventeenth century. Since its completion in the 11th century, Warwick Castle has undergone several structural changes, including the addition of towers and the rebuilding of residences. In the seventeenth century, the land around the castle was converted into gardens. In 1978, Warwick Castle was bought by Tussauds Group, opened as a tourist attraction, and included in the list of ancient ruins and a first-class protected building. There are many historic displays in the castle. There are many activities for kids in the castle, such as the Princess Tower, archery and more. There are many staff wearing ancient costumes to interact with tourists, especially during festivals, there will be special events.

British Motor Museum

Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden

Kenilworth castle offers an interesting exhibition on Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley. You can walk around the two towers, Norman and Leicester and get views on where Elizabeth I's rooms were when she visited in the 1570s. The gardens and aviary provide a great visual background to the tower ruins.

2026 Europe 50 - Family-friendly Attractions

Cadbury World

Located in Bournville, Birmingham—the birthplace of Cadbury chocolate—Cadbury World is an immersive chocolate-themed attraction. The entire visit is self-guided, taking you through multiple themed exhibition areas where you can learn about the history of the Cadbury brand and the origins of the Bournville factory. You can also revisit decades of classic Cadbury advertisements in the Advertising Avenue area, including the widely known gorilla drumming ad. The chocolate-making area is one of the core highlights, where professional chocolatiers demonstrate the chocolate-making process on site. The exhibition area displays chocolate sculptures, including exquisite creations such as a chocolate bull, giving it a distinct Charlie and the Chocolate Factory vibe. For interactive experiences, you can ride a chocolate-themed tour car through fantastical scenes and watch a 4D chocolate adventure movie. There are multiple chocolate tasting stops along the way, allowing visitors to eat as they walk; in the chocolate tasting area, you can also dip your favorite snacks into a pot of warm melted Cadbury milk chocolate and enjoy them with various toppings. This place is especially suitable for bringing children, as there is also an outdoor African adventure play area for kids to climb and play. At the end of your visit, don't forget to browse the sizable Cadbury souvenir shop.

Jephson Gardens

Charlecote Park

National Trust - Baddesley Clinton

Baddesley Clinton was the home of the Ferrers family for 500 years. The home is also a sanctuary for persecuted Catholics hiding from priest hunters during the 1590s. The house features a moat with ducks and gese in it as well as a vegetable garden.

Anne Hathaway's Cottage

Anne Hathaway's Cottage is located a mile west of the town centre. Before Shakespeare's marriage, Anne Hathaway lived in this beautiful thatched cottage. Shakespeare often came here to visit her. The cottage is a very romantic place. Anne Hathaway Cottage is open to visitors, where you can see furniture preserved from the 16th century, such as Hathaway's bed and Shakespeare chair, and a beautiful garden with many fruit trees. Strolling in the garden and reminiscing about the passages in Shakespeare's works are unique.

Stratford Butterfly Farm