Things to Do in Warwick: The Castle, the Lord Leycester, Museums & More

The best things to do in Warwick, from the castle to a medieval almshouse still run by veterans, a free county museum and Victorian hedged gardens. Opening times and prices are from each place’s own website. For what’s on this week, see the events calendar.

1. Warwick Castle

The town’s big draw: towers and ramparts on the River Avon, a bird of prey display, a trebuchet show and 64 acres of grounds. Tickets from £26 booked online. Everything you need, from tickets to parking, is in our Warwick Castle guide.

2. The Lord Leycester

At the West Gate end of the High Street, the Lord Leycester (long known as the Lord Leycester Hospital) is a medieval courtyard of timber-framed buildings, some parts dating back to the 12th century, with two acres of gardens on the last surviving stretch of Warwick’s town wall. For over 450 years it has been home to the Brethren, a community of former servicemen.

• Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm (last entry 4pm), and bank holiday Mondays.
• Tickets: adults £12, over-65s and students £10.50, 5 to 17s £6.50, under-5s free, families (up to 4) £27. Tickets give free return visits for a year. Historic Houses members go free.
• Brethren’s guided tour: Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 11am, £4 on top of admission.

Lord Leycester tickets. It also runs talks, workshops and spooky tours: see what’s coming up in our calendar.

3. St Mary’s Church

The Collegiate Church of St Mary, just east of the Market Place, is, in its own words, one of the largest churches in Britain. It’s Grade I listed, and you can climb the tower. Entry to the church is free (donations welcome); there are charges for the tower climb and to see the Beauchamp Chapel and chancel.

• Summer: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10.30am to 5pm; Wednesday 11am to 5pm; Sunday 12pm to 5pm.
• Winter: Friday and Saturday 10.30am to 5pm, Sunday 12pm to 5pm; closed Monday to Thursday.

Times can change for weddings, funerals and baptisms, and it’s closed to visitors on Good Friday (St Mary’s opening times). The church hosts candlelit concerts and lunchtime recitals: they’re in our calendar.

4. Market Hall Museum (free)

In the 17th-century Market Hall in the Market Place, the county museum tells the story of Warwickshire, from the Warwickshire Bear to Roman coin hoards found in the south of the county. Entry is free.

• Open: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm; closed Sunday and Monday.
• Free highlight tours of about 45 minutes with volunteer guides, bookable through the county’s Heritage Box Office.
• There’s a café and shop. Market Hall Museum.

5. Hill Close Gardens

Victorian hedged garden plots, once the townspeople’s retreats and saved from demolition by local people, now looked after by a small charitable trust, with heritage fruit, heirloom flowers and seasonal planting. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm (last entry 3.30pm). Self-service refreshments on weekdays; the tearoom opens at weekends, 11am to 3.30pm. Park in Bread and Meat Close car park outside the gates for 2 hours free (register at the machine). Hill Close Gardens.

6. A day at the races

Warwick Racecourse, about 15 minutes’ walk from the town centre, has race days through the autumn and winter. Coming up:

7. Shows, concerts and festivals

Bridge House Theatre at Warwick School has plays, concerts and comedy; St Mary’s has candlelit concerts; and the town has two festivals: Warwick Words History Festival in the autumn and Warwick Folk Festival in July (22 to 25 July 2027, in Castle Park). Everything is in the events calendar and our weekend guide.

8. The river and St Nicholas Park

St Nicholas Park is by the River Avon, a short walk east of the castle, with the town’s biggest council car park (263 spaces). It’s a good place to start a riverside walk.

Plan your visit

• Parking in Warwick, including two car parks with 2 hours free
• Every restaurant, café and pub on one map
• Live train times and bus times

Alex Harrington