The best things to do in Warwick on a weekend break

Welcome to historic Warwick, a gorgeous market town nestled in the heart of England. We recently spent a wonderful weekend in Warwick enjoying its history, culture and castle which paired perfectly with the town’s incredible food scene.

I don’t know why Warwick had never been on our radar before but we loved this picturesque town. It’s a great place for foodies and makes for an excellent UK getaway. We’ll definitely be heading back! 

So, if you’re planning a visit, read on for the best things to do in Warwick along with some excellent restaurants, pubs and eateries which’ll help fuel your visit. But first…

Where is Warwick

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Warwick is in the county of Warwickshire on the southern edge of the West Midlands. It sits on the River Avon and is within easy reach of the M40 if you’re coming from the south.

Warwick Railway Station is approximately 15-minute’s walk from the town centre. Check train timetables on the Trainline. If you want to explore further afield the towns of Royal Leamington Spa and Stratford are nearby.

Where to stay – The Warwick Arms Hotel 

During our visit, we stayed at the Warwick Arms Hotel. It’s ideally located in the centre of Warwick High Street, a short walk to all the best things to do in Warwick. We were following in illustrious footsteps as the hotel has hosted famous names from Admiral Lord Nelson to Frank Sinatra! 

The Warwick Arms Hotel is an historical landmark in itself, originally opened as a coaching inn during the reign of Elizabeth I. Along with many of Warwick’s buildings it burned down in the Great Fire of Warwick, so the hotel that stands today was built in the 1700s. 

Check rates and availability at the Warwick Arms Hotel

The historic setting contrasted beautifully with the stylish, modern decor of our spacious room. All rooms at the Warwick Arms Hotel are well-equipped with free high-speed Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and complimentary tea, coffee, and toiletries. 

We enjoyed a fabulous breakfast in the hotel restaurant, and the friendly service made our stay in this gorgeous family-run hotel very special.

Check rates and availability at the Warwick Arms Hotel

You’ll find a wide range of places to stay in Warwick, from budget accommodation and B&Bs to boutique inns and luxury hotels.  

What to see and do in Warwick

There are plenty of activities to do in Warwick to easily fill a weekend. In this post I’ve highlighted Warwick’s main attractions so you can add them to your itinerary according to interest, timescale and the good old British weather. Warwick’s easily walkable so grab your walking shoes and let’s go.

Warwick Castle 

Have you even been to Warwick if you didn’t visit Warwick Castle? Originally built as a wooden fort by William the Conqueror in 1068, the castle evolved through the centuries into a grand medieval fortress. It sits in the heart of the town and is one of the UK’s best-known examples of military architecture. 

Today, magnificent Warwick Castle is one of the best-known things to do in Warwick, offering a mix of history, entertainment, and family fun. Activities and displays are available all year round, including jousting and falconry shows, historical exhibits, and the spine-chilling Castle Dungeon experience with live actors. We were there in the school summer break and there was loads to do for kids. Even in the rain!

History buffs will be enthralled by Warwick Castle’s architecture, featuring towers, battlements, and ramparts. Be prepared to climb some steep spiral staircases; the stunning views of Warwick and beyond are worth the effort. 

You can also enjoy the views from the Conqueror’s Fortress, the original Norman motte that’s the oldest remaining part of the castle. This originally held the castle’s stronghold and was a strategic vantage point that helped guard the castle from attackers. It now holds a stone observation platform, allowing you to take in the sights of the town centre below.  

Inside the medieval castle, the Great Hall and State Rooms are filled with fascinating antiquities and highlight the lavish lifestyle of the aristocracy. The displays guide you through 600-years of the castle’s history, ranging from suits of medieval armour and antique weaponry to a mock-up of a lavish dinner party from 1898. Some of the models are a bit too lifelike!

There’s plenty to explore outside Warwick Castle, too. If you’re visiting Warwick with children, there’s enough space for them to burn off some energy outdoors. The castle provides fantastic kid-friendly entertainment from the Horrible Histories interactive maze to the Princess Tower interactive storytelling experience.  

However, you can still find a quiet spot to enjoy a picnic or relax with an ice cream, and there’s plenty of open space and gardens including the beautiful Peacock Garden. The peacocks roam freely through Warwick Castle, and you can’t mistake their distinctive call – we could hear them from our room in the Warwick Arms!

You can easily spend a full day enjoying the history and entertainment at Warwick Castle. If you want to extend your visit, you can also stay overnight in themed Woodland Lodges or Medieval Glamping tents.  

Lord Leycester Hospital 

Although Warwick Castle is probably the best-known building in Warwick, Lord Leycester Hospital might be even more iconic and to me was by far the most photogenic. In fact, this historic landmark is often regarded as one of the best-preserved examples of 14th-century architecture in the UK.  

Lord Leycester Hospital isn’t like any standard hospital you might have visited. The word hospital in Elizabethan times meant ‘a place of sanctuary’ so it was never a hospital as we know it. The cluster of crooked, timber-framed medieval buildings was founded by Robert Dudley, who was Earl of Leicester and one of Queen Elizabeth I’s favourites. It was used as retirement accommodation for soldiers returning from battle and also housed the town’s medieval guilds for nearly 200 years.  

Ex-servicemen known as the Brethren still live at Lord Leycester Hospital, and they will introduce you to the Hospital’s history at the start of your visit. You can then wander at leisure around the buildings and gardens.  We saw Dr. Heidi L Meyer LLD (Hon), MSc, BSC during our visit. She’s a former British Army officer and first female to be appointed Master.

Highlights at the Lord Leycester include the Brethren’s Kitchen, the Medieval Courtyard and the Master’s Garden, which is enclosed by Warwick’s historic town walls. It’s also worth calling into St James Chapel to see the William Morris stained glass window. Finally, follow in the footsteps of the Hospital’s past residents by enjoying tea and cake in the Great Hall.  

Mill Street Garden

Mill Street is famous for its pretty 15th and 16th-century half-timbered houses, and it’s also the setting of the gorgeous Mill Street Garden. This stunning cottage garden was a passion project for the late Arthur Measures, who spent six decades creating a paradise of plants and flowers. It was one of my favourite Warwick attractions.

The Mill garden is framed by the river and ruined medieval bridge on one side and a backdrop of the stone walls of Warwick Castle on the other. If you’re lucky, you may spot swans nesting on the banks of the river Avon.  

You can easily spend an hour exploring this peaceful riverside haven, which is open daily between April and October, 10:00 – 17:00 hrs Admission is £3, cash only a percentage of which goes to charity. Childrens’ entry is free but no dogs are allowed.

Take a Boat Trip on the River Avon

The views of Warwick Castle from the river are fabulous and a boat trip is a great way to enjoy them as well as getting a nature fix.

Make your way to St Nicholas Park, which is a lovely spot for a wander or a picnic before heading to Warwick Boats where you can choose from a traditional rowing boat, pedalo, electric motor boat, canoe or kayak. We may have received some interesting comments from passing stand-up paddle boarders. I can’t imagine why…

St Mary’s Church  

Built on the orders of Roger de Beaumont, the second Earl of Warwick, the magnificent St Mary’s Church has dominated the Warwick skyline since 1123. It was almost totally destroyed in the Great Fire of Warwick in 1693, and only the crypt now remains of the original structure. 

The church was rebuilt in the Gothic style, and its 160-foot tower offers a great view over the town and surrounding area. You’ll need to climb a narrow, stone spiral staircase to get to the top of the tower but the 160 steps are worth the stunning 360º views you’ll get from the roof. 

Don’t miss the Beauchamp Chapel (pronounced Beecham) for its highly detailed stained-glass windows and the impressive tombs of Richard Beauchamp, the Earl of Warwick, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and his family. There’s also an Augmented Reality display in the church which is also worth checking out. Head down to the crypt to see the medieval ducking stool.

Entry is free to the church, but donations are always welcome. To climb the tower it’s £5 for over 16s. Check the church website for opening times because these change seasonally and the tower can be closed due to bad weather and church events.

Hill Close Gardens 

Hill Close Gardens is a beautifully restored series of 16 Victorian pleasure gardens. These hedged gardens were created on the outskirts of many towns in Victorian times. 

Unlike the more practical purpose of allotments, private pleasure gardens allowed workers and trades people from the local area to enjoy time after work in their own garden with beautiful views, old fruit trees and a summerhouse. Many people lived above their shop or business at the time and the gardens enabled them to get away from their place of work. 

The rise of housing with private gardens in the 20th century meant that many pleasure gardens fell into disuse and Hill Close Gardens were destined to be built on. Thankfully, they were saved by a local group and then restored in the early 2000s thanks to a Heritage Lottery grant. 

You can explore the gardens, like we did, buy heritage flower and vegetable seeds to take home, or enjoy a cup of tea and a cake in the tearoom. The gardens are a peaceful spot for a wander and Warwick Racecourse is close by.

Warwick Town Break Trail 

There are so many fantastic things to do in Warwick, and exploring the town on your own can be great fun. But sometimes it’s nice to have a local guide at hand to direct you to the most interesting places to visit and special points of interest. We’d never want to miss a hidden gem only to find out about it after our visit.

The Warwick Town Break trail provides the perfect itinerary for 48-hours in Warwick. Whether you’re keen to check out all the historic sites (which we did) or want to explore the independent boutiques and Saturday market, this town break itinerary will help you plan your ideal Warwick weekend. 

Amongst the 21 plaques on the trail you’ll find some hidden and unusual places. Keep an eye out for the town’s two Victorian Greek Doric fluted pillar boxes and Tink-a-Tank. There’s a Blue Plaque trail too. 

Some attractions have seasonal opening hours, so do check the Warwick Town Break Trail before you visit. 

The Court House

You can pick a copy of the Warwick Town Break Trail map (£1) in the Court House on the High Street. The Palladian style building, which is also the town’s Tourist Information Centre, was built in 1725. There are displays about the history of Warwick, a town model, small cafe area and gift shop. Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum is also located in the building and the Pageant Gardens are a pretty spot to visit.

Oken Tea Rooms 

This cosy, historic tearoom lies within sight of Warwick Castle, and it’s the perfect place to revive your spirits after a long day exploring the town. Outside the tearoom, you’ll see a sign reading: ‘Here lived Thomas Oken, a great benefactor to Warwick. He died here on the 29th July 1573’. 

Oken grew from humble beginnings to become a trader in wool and woven fabrics. At that time, he was the wealthiest man in Warwickshire and was also very public-spirited. When Oken died without an heir, he bequeathed money to charity and funded public works such as repairing bridges and wells. The Thomas Oken Charity still supports worthy causes in Warwick and hosts an annual feast where they toast the memory of Thomas Oken. 

While you’re in Warwick, why not visit the picturesque Oken Tea Room for a pot of tea and a scone or slice of cake and raise your own toast to this local Warwick hero. 

Market Hall Museum 

This free museum on Market Place is another of Warwick’s fascinating local museums located in the old Market Hall. It tells the story of Warwickshire’s natural and human landscape and was recently refurbished thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. 

Some of the most popular exhibits include the 16th-century Sheldon Tapestry Map of Warwickshire, two hoards of Roman silver coins and the partial skeleton of a Megalosaurus-like dinosaur discovered in the local Cross Hands Quarry. 

Market Place

Market Place and the streets leading from it are full of independent shops, restaurants and cafes and on Saturdays market stalls line the town square selling home-grown local produce. On the day we arrived a vintage car rally in the square gave the town a buzzy festival vibe. 

Look out for the statue of Randolph Turpin, Britain’s first black World Boxing Middleweight champion on the square.

Where to eat in Warwick

Warwick town centre is packed with independent restaurants and eateries with barely any chains, which is so good to see. We only touched the surface of Warwick’s food scene – there’s only so much you can eat in two days…but if you’re looking for a foodie break you’ll want to add Warwick to the top of your list.

The Rose and Crown

We loved The Rose and Crown, in Market Place. This historic pub is warm and inviting with a superb choice of locally sourced food plus a good old Sunday roast served alongside a wide range of ales, wines, spirits. We could’ve stayed all day, the food was excellent and the staff friendly, helpful and fun. 

The Art Kitchen

For asian food lovers The Art Kitchen in Swan Street is the place to eat. We had an amazing Thai meal here with an artistic twist.

The contemporary restaurant is in an art gallery setting and the menu offers Royal Thai cuisine crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Just the right amount of heat without overpowering the fresh, zingy Thai herbs and spices. Every dish was bursting with flavour. The best Thai meal I’ve had since I was last in Thailand.

Dough and Brew

Pizza lovers head to Dough and Brew on 45 Brook Street. Their pizza is said to be some of the best in the country and I wouldn’t disagree with that. Neither would the locals, the place was absolutely packed and buzzing early on a Monday evening. 

Pizza toppings are ‘out there’ with some unusual additions like a sriracha base, if you’re man enough, plus gluten-free options. They also serve small plates, wings, fries, sides, salads and desserts. Drinks options include draft beers, craft beers, IPAs, wines, spirits and cocktails.

The Craftsman

The Craftsman is cool spot for lunch on Smith Street with a massive range of craft beers, spirits, wine and fizz as well as tea and coffee. 

We went for their signature street food dish of open loaded naans. Chicken tikka for me with tzatziki, lime, coriander, fried onions, fresh chillies & homemade salsa and beef kofta for him. The menu is diverse from pizza, wings and small plates to breakfast and Sunday lunch. A great atmosphere and friendly service.

Pubs and Bars and Warwick

Just opposite Art Kitchen is the perfect place to start your evening. That Gin Bar serves up the perfect Gin and tonic with gin made and infused in their own copper still.  This cool little bar has epic people watching potential and over 160 gins to choose from plus cocktails. A great place to start your evening.

If you’re looking to finish off your evening in an unusal venue head to The Eagle, for drinks in an old cellar which has been converted into a teeny tiny pub. It’s just a few steps away from the Rose and Crown. 

As you can see, there are plenty of great things to do in Warwick. Whether you’re a history buff exploring medieval castles, a nature lover seeking scenic river walks or just want a fun, food-filled weekend in a charming English town then Warwick ticks a lot of boxes.

Have you been to Warwick? If you have any tips or places I’ve missed let me know in the comments and I’ll check them out next time.

_{This article was written in collaboration with Visit Warwick however, all views and opinions are entirely my own}.

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