8 Best Things to Do in Warwickshire, UK

What’s on Warwickshire, UK you ask? Possibly many things you haven’t seen elsewhere! The county of Warwickshire is located in the Midland region of the UK. The place is widely celebrated for its majestic castles and medieval towns. The best things to do in Warwickshire often include nature, history and a lot of exploring. 

If you are the curious type, you will not run out of Warwickshire activities. Imagine seeing ancient hiding places in real life, or walking an alpaca around the farm. This may sound like a list of unusual things to do in Warwickshire, but trust us when we say you will enjoy every bit of this county!   

Here are our picks of the best things to do in Warwickshire (UK)

1. Visit the Warwick Castle

One of the most popular things to do in Warwickshire is Warwick Castle known as the castle of King Henry VIII. The castle is filled with Tudorian artefacts and history that’s worth visiting. Family days out in Warwickshire will never be boring as there are plenty of things to do around. One of these is a visit to the prestigious Warwick Castle and Knight’s Village. Located in Warwick, the Castle is open Mondays to Fridays from 10 AM to 4 PM. On weekends, the gate closes later at 5 PM.

If you are able to dictate the season of your visit to Warwickshire, go during the Christmas Season. The Warwick Castle is at its merriest – you can skate at the ice rink, meet Santa Claus and watch the Winter Birds of Prey Show.

Looking at saving some bucks on your visit to this place? Book online and save as much as £3 per castle ticket. Wanting to go all-out on your family vacation? Grab a short break pass which includes multiple visits to the castle and an option to stay at Woodland lodges and glamping tents. Breakfast and car parking come with the package.

I wrote a transport guide from Birmingham City Centre to Warwick Castle, feel free to read it to help you with your travel planning.

Read more: Ways How to Get from London to Warwick Castle (UK)

2. Take a fluffy alpaca for a walk

If you have tried this activity already, chances are you live at a farm close by, or you have actually visited Worcestershire before! This lovely tour allows you to take an alpaca for a walk for a good 90 minutes. Many farms in Arden, Birmingham and Coventry are popular venues for an alpaca walking tour.

Learn why these creatures are lovable and get to bond with them over tasty snacks and photographs. These alpacas share their living space with other animals such as llamas, sheep, horses and pigs.

Wanting to gift something unique to your animal-loving friend or family? Opt for the road less travelled and adopt an alpaca on behalf of a loved one. This entitles him or her to gift packages and a free visit to the alpaca you just adopted. 

A standard cost for an alpaca tour managed by Middle England Farm costs £28 for adults and £20 for kids.

3. See the Lord Leycester Hospital

Fancy being wed in a destination considered Warwick’s medieval gem? At the Lord Leycester Hospital, you can have a picturesque and historical venue that will surely make your special occasion a moment to remember. Imagine saying your I Do’s at the Guild Hall and dining in on the same tables and chairs where the Guildsmen of Warwick held their meetings centuries ago. Truly exquisite, we must say.

All around this Warwickshire attraction, medieval courtyard architecture is highly evident. After it became a home for retired old warriors, the Hospital first served as a shelter for Warwick’s Medieval Guilds. Today, aside from it being opened to the public for tours and event venues, the Hospital still serves as a home to the soldiers called the Brethren and the Master. The Brethren are, in fact, the ones who conduct tours within the facility.

More about the resident soldiers: there is a place nestled inside called The Brethren’s Kitchen. This dining area has served food for kings, queens, and many other notable people over the years. You are welcome to enjoy a lovely breakfast or an afternoon tea here, but keep in mind to book in advance as the place gets full quite easily.

4. Enjoy afternoon tea at Shakespaw Cat Café

Stratford upon Avon is home to the brilliant William Shakespeare. Therefore, it is only fitting to coin the name of a speciality cafe from his surname. It’s one of the best things to do in Warwickshire for families. Dubbed the Midlands’ first cat cafe, Shakespaw borrows a great concept from Taiwan and Japan wherein you can dine and interact with pets at the same time. 

For a full 90 minutes at the standard price of £5, eat some sumptuous food and enjoy a hot cup of coffee while playing with the resident cats at Shakespaw. These feline animals call the vintage tearoom their home and their caretakers are serious about their wellbeing. Therefore, keep in mind to read the house rules before your visit to the Cafe. Take note that no children under ten and no group visitors of more than six are allowed inside Shakespaw.

It’s not all fun and feline love in this cafe, as they are also serious about serving good food to their customers. How about halloumi and chilli jam on sourdough toast, or perhaps a pumpkin spice and maple hot chocolate? 

I wrote another article about the Best Things to do in Stratford-Upon-Avon if you fancy seeing more of this beautiful English town. If you are coming from London, I wrote this transport guide Ways How to Get from London to Stratford-upon-Avon. If you are coming from Birmingham, here is a transport guide about Ways How to Get from Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon (UK).

5. Relax in the gardens of Leamington Spa

The Royal Leamington Spa is a little town right in the heart of Warwickshire. It got its name from the medicinal baths that have been present in the area since the 1900s. There is something for everyone in this part of the countryside, making it a nice option for a great day out.

If you are on the lookout for cheap things to do in Warwickshire, the Town’s Royal Pump Room Gardens will not disappoint. This open area is set along the banks of the Leam River and is free for everyone to explore. Various community activities happen here, including annual festivals such as the Peace Festival and the Food and Drink Festival.

Another famous garden in Leamington Spa is the Jephson Gardens. This formal park was once an area for the wealthy to socialize. The lovely Mill Gardens sit unassumingly on the south, with a boating lake ready to transport you from one garden to another. 

Royal Leamington Spa was awarded as the happiest place on earth in recent years. Curious to know why? Pay it a visit as soon as possible!

6. Know the stories surrounding Kenilworth Castle

The Kenilworth Castle is a collective effort of many royalties dating from the 1120s. Come 1563, Queen Elizabeth I gave the castle to her favorite, Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester. He then made the property into a full-fledged palace, even welcoming Elizabeth with a 15-day festivity within the Kenilworth Castle grounds. 

There is one great man in the name of Sir John Siddeley whom we have to thank for. In the 1930s, Siddeley bought the Castle and made it a public place for everyone to marvel at. He funded for all the repair and made the Ministry of Works in charge of the whole place. His fascination for motors and planes are evident in the exhibition mounted on his behalf. This can be found at the first floor of the Castle’s gatehouse.

The Kenilworth castle is one of the best historical places to visit and things to do in Warwickshire. To enter Kenilworth Castle, an adult pass starting from £11.80 will be collected. Children and teens with ages within 5-17 enjoy a discounted rate of £7.10. Group passes are also available. 

7. Discover secret passages at Baddesley Clinton

Baddesley Clinton has a lot of history surrounding its walls. Before being sold in the 1940s, the place served as the home of the Ferrers from up to the 12th generation. It also became a hideaway for priests who were looking for places to escape to during the times when it was difficult for them to be outside.

When the Ferrers entrusted the place to the nuns, the construction of secret passages started. The places where the priests hid for safety can still be seen today when you tour around the area. 

Looking from the outside, you can see why this moated manor house is regarded as one of the best in England. Garden and lakeside walks are some of the pleasant things to do in Baddesley Clinton. Don’t miss the nearby medieval church of St. Michael. Famous for the story behind its Towers of Atonement, it is up to you to find out which type of crime made it possible for this stunning part of the church to be added in.

Read more: Canals in Britain: A Guide to Its Rich History and Scenic Routes

8. Shop ’til you drop and explore Birmingham 

Birmingham is considered the largest city outside the bounds of London. It is also known that Birmingham has more canals than Venice, Italy!

The city is filled with lavish parks, great restaurants and interesting museums. Aside from that, the city is home to many music halls such as the Symphony Hall, O2 Arena, NEC exhibition centre, Genting Arena and Bullring Shopping centre. 

Birmingham is recently made popular again as a tourist destination due to the popularity of the Peaky Blinders TV series.  During the festive holidays in December, The Birmingham Frankfurt German Market is a must visit in the city. You can read more of other interesting things to do in Birmingham.

Read More: The Best Day Trips from Birmingham (UK)

I hope that inspires you to visit this beautiful county and enjoy all the best things to do in Warwickshire. What are your favourite things to do in Warwickshire?
Share your travel experiences in the comment box below.