Located on the River Avon, the principal town of Warwickshire has been dominated for over 900 years by spectacular Warwick Castle. The origins of the town date back to a fortress built by the daughter of Alfred the Great in 915 AD. Later, the powerful Earls of Warwick not only controlled the land surrounding their impenetrable fortress, but also dabbled in English politics, most decisively as "kingmakers".
In the late Middle Ages this trading town, protected by the fort, became affluent. But after a 1694 fire destroyed most of its medieval buildings, the town carefully reconstructed the old structures. Today, visitors can stroll among the market stalls in Old Square and Jury Street or hunt through one of the town's many antiques shops.
Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle is a massive battlement-crowned fortress reached via the former stable yard and adjoining moat. An extensive area of parkland boasts a number of gardens, among them a peacock reserve and rose garden. The inner courtyard is entered through the imposing Gate House (1350) and this is where visitors first notice the castle's walls and towers, ranging in height up to 131 ft. The fortifications date from the 16th century.
The fort itself was renovated in the 17th and 18th centuries into a castle-like countryseat, and its magnificent collection of furniture, porcelain, sculptures and paintings also date from this period. Other visitor attractions include the impressive collection of weapons, as well as unique interactive experiences, the Castle Dungeon, a full-scale working siege machine (trebuchet) and a wax model museum designed by London's Madame Tussauds.
Old Town
Many of the streets in Warwick's old town still have attractive 17th and 18th century buildings that will appeal to tourists. These include the Court House with its Georgian ballroom, Landor House, and the lovely Shire Hall with its octagonal tower lantern.
The West Gate has been retained from the old town walls, and guilds have assembled in the early-Gothic St James' Chapel since 1383. Nearby is Lord Leycester Hospital (home to the lovely Master's Garden and a military museum), established in 1571 to accommodate ordinary soldiers in a half-timbered house dating from 1383.
Collegiate Church of St Mary
Built in 1443, the Collegiate Church of St Mary was reconstructed after a 1694 fire with help from Christopher Wren. Its most splendid feature is the Beauchamp Tower on the south side of the choir. The tomb of the church's founder, Richard de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick (1381-1439), is located in the middle of the chapel; his marble sarcophagus features 14-gilded copper mourners made by medieval sculptor John Massingham. The tomb of the Earl of Leicester, a favorite of Elizabeth I, is also here.
The choir, completed in 1394, has finely-carved choir stalls (1449), a cedilla, an Easter Sepulcher and the tomb of Thomas Beauchamp (d. 1369). And its ancient Norman crypt dates from 1123.
Avon Bridge
A favorite with photographers, the bridge across the River Avon offers the most beautiful views of Warwick Castle. South of it lies Bridge End, a charming row of houses with half-timbered and stone buildings dating from the late Middle Ages.
Warwickshire Museum
Built in 1670, the Market Hall contains the Warwickshire Museum's extensive early history collections covering archaeology, social history, geology and natural history. The museum's Jacobean home, St John's House, has reconstructions of a Victorian kitchen and classroom. Things to see include costumes, toys, dolls and games.
Hill Close Gardens
Hill Close Gardens is a delightful network of restored Victorian gardens with high hedges between the quaint summerhouses, old fruit trees and heritage flowerbeds. Plants and historic varieties of fruit and vegetables are available for sale, and the visitor center offers refreshments at the café plus exhibits about sustainable gardening practices.
Royal Leamington Spa
Royal Leamington Spa lies only two miles east of Warwick and is famous for its wonderful medicinal springs and gardens. While there, tourists can take a stroll through attractive Jephson Garden, the Pump Room Gardens and the town's idyllic tree-lined avenues with their Victorian and Georgian architecture. The town is also noted for its numerous specialty shops and restaurants.
Offchurch
Offchurch is a small village not far from Warwick, featuring a splendid 13th century church with Norman details. The River Leam and the Grand Union Canal run through this quaint English village.
Chesterton
Chesterton has an interesting windmill built in 1632 by Sir Edward Peyto, Inigo Jones and Nicholas Stone. It was supposedly constructed to serve as an observatory, but was instead used to grind corn. Another sightseeing attraction is the 17th century monument to Sir Edward and his wife in the village's St. Giles church.
Charlecote Park
Shakespeare is supposed to have been caught hunting in Charlecote Park, just four miles east of Stratford-upon-Avon. After being lashed as a punishment, the Bard turned his captor into the somewhat laughable justice of the peace in Henry IV.
Source from http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/warwick-eng-wrw-wa.htm
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