What to do in Warwickshire

This county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon. We’re skipping Warwick castle as we both went as kids and weren’t amazed by it then.

Draycote Water

Draycote Water is a 240-hectare reservoir and country park that draws its water from River Leam. Dogs are not aloud around the reservoir but can go in the country park. This “dog friendly area” is not that big so I’d like us you bring your dog don’t expect a long walk with them. The walk we did was nice and had decent views over the reservoir.

Parking is charged at £3 for two hours or £5 all day.

Shustoke Water

A haven of tranquillity for nature lovers, hikers and water enthusiasts, Shustoke Reservoirs are famous for their impressive wildflower displays. Phoebe thought this reservoir was great as you can actually walk around nearly the whole of it by the water which is fairly unusual. It was great watching Barney react to the trainline nearby, ears were all over the place.

Parking is £1.50 for the whole day! We got chatting to an older couple here as Phoebe was helping them to use the machine. Make sure you have exact change as it didn’t work when it was over.

Charlecote Park

Overlooking the river Avon on the edge of Shakespeare’s Stratford, Charlecote Park has been part of this corner of rural Warwickshire for centuries. The Victorian home set in a landscaped deer park, has over 180 acres to explore. We walked the dog route and we’re amazed at how close the deer were to us!

Enterance to Charlecote Park is free for National Trust members, £11 for adults and £5.50 for children. Dogs are welcome throughout the parkland.

Stratford upon Avon

Beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon is a fine historic market town that is the 16th-century birthplace of William Shakespeare.

It features a lot of places to eat, drink, and shop, you can also enjoy museums, theater, musical events, and even a yearly festival in late April celebrating William Shakespeare. We wandered up the Main Street to Shakespeares house and then back down to the river. You could definitely make a full day here.

Packwood House

Packwood House is another National Trust property with lots of woodland areas for walking. We didn’t go into the house as we had Barney with us. The grounds were pretty and had lots of benches to sit and watch the world go by.

It is free to enter for members, £13 for adults and £6.50 for children. Dogs are allowed in the estate but not in the gardens or house.

Royal Leamington Spa

This is a small spa town that used to be called Leamington Priors. It got its name from the water in the town, which many people believe has medicinal qualities. While tourism here was initially due to the spring waters there, people now visit the town for its shopping, art galleries, live music events, community centres, and the many festivals that it hosts throughout the year. We had a nice walk round exploring the architecture.

If you love Victorian and Georgian architecture, this is the place to be because there are numerous buildings in town that feature these types of architecture, and they can be easily found.

Hartshill Haye’s Coutry Park

Two areas of ancient hilly woodland make up most of this delightful country park. Renowned for glorious displays of bluebells in the Springtime, the park can take your breath away all year round with its hillside location offering spectacular panoramic views over four counties on a clear day. We strolled through the woodland area, there were lots of dogs around, some off lead.

Parking is charged at £3 a day and is card payments only. Phoebe found it didn’t like her actual card but was fine off her phone.

Chesterton Windmill

The Chesterton Windmill is a famous feature of the Warwickshire landscape and can be seen from several miles away. It stands on a hilltop overlooking the Roman Fosse Way about five miles south-east of Warwick. The mill was built in the years 1632-1633 and remained in use until about 1910 when its machinery ceased to work. Phoebe was gutted to visit and the blades not be on. Regardless it was a lovely visit with no one else around.

There is on road parking nearby. During Heritage Open Weekends a parking area may be provided with a small charge.