Stratford-upon-Avon and the Heart of England
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Heart of England - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden
The romantic ruins of Kenilworth give some sense of the turbulent times the castle has witnessed in its 900-year history. In 1326, King Edward II was imprisoned here and forced to renounce the throne before he was transferred to Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire and allegedly murdered with a red-hot poker. Here the ambitious Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, one of Elizabeth I’s favorites, entertained the queen four times, most notably in 1575 with 19 days of revelry. It was for this extended visit that Dudley created the elaborate Elizabethan garden in which to woo the queen; the garden has since been restored to its original splendor with arbors, an aviary, and an 18-foot-high Carrara marble fountain. The top of the keep has commanding views of the countryside, one good indication of why this was such a formidable fortress from 1120 until it was dismantled by Oliver Cromwell after the English Civil War in the mid-17th century. Still intact are its keep, with 20-foot-thick walls; its great hall built by John of Gaunt in the 14th century; and its curtain walls, the low outer walls forming the castle’s first line of defense. You can climb the stairs to the viewing platforms for the vista that Queen Elizabeth would have had when she stayed and visit the restored gatehouse where an excellent exhibition explores her relationship with Dudley. The fine gift shop sells excellent replicas of tapestries and swords.
Castle Green, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1NG, England0370-3331181Sight Details
Rate Includes: £13.90, Closed weekdays Jan.–mid-Feb. -
2. Ludlow Castle
The "very perfection of decay," according to author Daniel Defoe, the ruins of this red sandstone castle date from 1085. No wonder the massive structure dwarfs the town: it served as a vital stronghold for centuries and was the seat of the Marcher Lords who ruled "the Marches," the local name for the border region. The two sons of Edward IV—the little princes of the Tower of London—spent time here before being dispatched to London and before their death in 1483. Follow the terraced walk around the castle for a lovely view of the countryside.
Castle Sq., Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1AY, England01584-873355Sight Details
Rate Includes: £8, Closed weekdays early Jan.–early Feb. -
3. Warwick Castle
The vast bulk of this medieval castle rests on a cliff overlooking the Avon River and is considered "the fairest monument of ancient and chivalrous splendor which yet remains uninjured by time," to use the words of Sir Walter Scott. Today, the company that runs the Madame Tussauds wax museums also owns the castle, and it has become more theme park than an authentic heritage site, but it is still a lot of fun. Warwick’s two soaring towers, bristling with battlements, can be seen for miles: the 147-foot-high Caesar’s Tower, built in 1356, and the 128-foot-high Guy’s Tower, built in 1380. Warwick Castle’s monumental walls enclose an impressive armory of medieval weapons, as well as staterooms with historic furnishings and paintings. Other exhibits explore the castle’s history through the ages, display the sights and sounds of a great medieval household as it prepares for an important battle, and tell the story of a princess’s fairy-tale wedding. Elsewhere, a working trebuchet, falconry displays, and rat-throwing (stuffed, not live) games add to the atmosphere. Below the castle, strutting peacocks patrol the 64 acres of grounds elegantly landscaped by Capability Brown in the 18th century. Each summer the castle also hosts one-off immersive experiences. Arrive early to beat the crowds. If you book online, you save 30% on ticket prices. Lavish medieval banquets take place throughout the year, and plenty of food stalls serve lunch. For the ultimate castle experience, you can "glamp" in a medieval tent, stay in a wooden lodge in the Knight’s Village, or spend the night in your own luxury suite in the 14th-century Caesar’s Tower.
View Tours and ActivitiesCastle La. off Mill St., Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 4QU, England01926-406610Sight Details
Rate Includes: Castle £37; £24 in advance -
4. Eastnor Castle
Completed in 1820, Eastnor Castle, a turreted Norman-revival extravaganza on the eastern outskirts of Ledbury, includes some magnificent neo-Gothic salons designed by 19th-century architect Augustus Pugin. The Hervey-Bathurst family has restored other grand rooms, full of tapestries, gilt-framed paintings, Regency chandeliers, old armchairs, and enormous sofas, making Eastnor a must-see for lovers of English interior decoration. In the Little Library, look out for the rare game of Life Pool, originally played on the billiards table. Within the grounds, there is a knight’s maze and adventure playground to keep kids entertained (along with an ice cream parlor). Opening days vary throughout the season; check the website in advance before you visit. There is also a campsite and two cottages within the castle’s deer park and some spectacular rooms in the castle itself.
Off the A438, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1RL, England01531-633160Sight Details
Rate Includes: House and grounds £13 online; grounds only £9, Closed Fri., Sat., and Oct.–Easter -
5. Goodrich Castle
Looming dramatically over the River Wye at Kerne Bridge, from the south, the castle looks like a fortress from the Rhineland amid the green fields; you quickly see its grimmer face from the battlements on its north side. Dating from the late 12th century, the red sandstone castle is surrounded by a deep moat carved out of solid rock, from which its walls appear to soar upward. Built to repel Welsh raiders, it was destroyed in the 17th century during the Civil War, and it's where you can view the only surviving Civil War mortar, known as "Roaring Meg."
Castle La., Goodrich, Herefordshire, HR9 6HY, England01600-890538Sight Details
Rate Includes: £9.80, Closed weekdays Nov.–mid-Feb. -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Shrewsbury Castle
Guarding the northern approaches to the town, the sandstone castle rises over the River Severn at the bottom of Pride Hill. Originally Norman, it was dismantled during the Civil War and later rebuilt by Thomas Telford, the Scottish engineer who designed many notable buildings and bridges in the early 19th century. Military history buffs will enjoy the Soldiers of Shropshire Museum within the castle, although there’s enough history about the area and its people thrown in to satisfy even the casually interested. The numerous benches in the gardens are good for a quiet sit-down.
Castle Court, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 2AT, England01743-358516Sight Details
Rate Includes: £5; grounds free, Closed Thurs. year-round and Sun. mid Sept.–late May
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