Places of Historical Interest in the Local Area
* (Distances in miles from Warwick Campus)
Kenilworth CastleLink opens in a new window(2.5 miles*) with its impressive Norman keep, John of Gaunt's great hall, and the magnificent buildings raised for Queen Elizabeth I, it is among the largest castle ruins in England. The ruins are best known as the home of Robert Dudley, the great love of Queen Elizabeth I.
Priory Gardens and Undercroft (3.5 miles), are an area situated on the site of Coventry's first cathedral, St Mary's, surrounded by the newly restored Blue Coat School and Holy Trinity Church.
Old Blue Coat School Coventry (3.5 miles ) was founded in 1714 as a school for girls who were being trained in domestic service. The building is built over the Priory of St Mary's.
Holy Trinity Church (3.5 miles) is a 13th Century Parish Church in Coventry. It features a Medieval Doom painting of the last judgement, 14th Century misericords and two superb stained glass windows. The tomb of the prolific translator Philemon Holland (1552-1637) is also here.
St. Mary's Guildhall (3.5 miles) is the finest medieval guildhall in the country. Located in the city's historic Cathedral Quarter, the magnificent medieval interiors and fine artworks offer a window into Coventry's glorious past, a fascinating and free experience in the very heart of the city.
Swanswell Gate (3.5 miles). From the original 12 city gates, only two remain. Swanswell Gate, also known as Priory Gate, sits at the bottom end of Lady Herbert's Garden adjacent to Millennium Place in Coventry city centre.
Stoneleigh Abbey (3 miles) is a beautiful home dating back to 1154, nestled amongst 690 acres of stunning parkland, overlooking the river Avon.
Coombe Abbey (7 miles). Originally a 12th century Cistercian abbey, nestling in England's historic heartland, now a luxury hotel, with formal gardens and tranquil lake in a Capability Brown-designed parkland setting.
Lord Leycester Hospital (7 miles) is a group of late 14th Century timber-framed buildings. For 200 years it was the home of Warwick's medieval Guilds.
Packwood House (8 miles). The National Trust's Packwood House was originally built in the sixteenth century. he house contains a wonderful collection of sixteenth century furniture and textiles.
Baddesley Clinton (8 miles). From refuge to haven this atmospheric moated house has been a sanctuary since the 15th century, hiding persecuted Catholics in its three priest holes, and was home to the Ferrers family for 500 years.
Arbury Hall (8 miles) has been the seat of the Newdigate family for over 400 years. This beautiful Elizabethan house was built on the site of a 12th century Augustinian Priory.
Rugby (10 miles) is known throughout the world as the home of rugby football; it was at Rugby School that Webb Ellis first picked up the ball and ran. Must see sights include: Rugby School , the art gallery and museum and the Rugby Football Museum
Charlecote Park (12 miles) was the home of the Lucy family in the 12th century.Their stories are told through portraits, treasures and Victorian objects. The gardens offer woodland and riverside walks.
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (14 miles), Stratford Upon Avon, owns and cares for the five Shakespeare Houses and Gardens in and around Stratford-upon-Avon and offers a wide range of educational opportunities for everyone interested in Shakespeare.
RSC Stratford (14 miles). Situated on Waterside, alongside the River Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a 1,040 seater thrust stage auditorium which re-opened in November 2010 following a three-year transformation project. It is a Grade II listed building and retains many of the art deco features of the 1932 Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.
Compton Verney (14 miles) was home to the Verney family for almost 500 years. It is now transformed into a gallery of international standing, offering high quality attractions and facilities.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (16 miles) 'Staffordshire Hoard Exhibition' - the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.
Aston Hall, Birmingham (16 miles). Explore the splendour of one of the last great houses built in the Jacobean style
The Barber Institute of Fine Art Birmingham (17 miles). The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is housed in one of Birmingham’s finest Art Deco buildings, purpose built it was designed by Robert Atkinson (1883-1952), and opened by Queen Mary in 1939. "A small gallery packing a mighty international punch."
Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and Country Park (17 miles). The site of the Battle of Bosworth is of national significance and international interest; it is infamous as the place where King Richard III lost his life and crown to Henry Tudor.
Coughton Court (20 miles) home to the Throckmorton family since 1409, Coughton Court holds a unique place in English history with its connections to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
King Richard III Discovery Centre Leicester (25 miles). The Visitor Centre stands on the site of the medieval friary of the Grey Friars where the king’s remains were buried over 500 years ago.
Useful link to searchable website specifically on historical sites in Coventry https://www.historiccoventry.co.uk/tour/tour.php