Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Well, one of the UK&#8217;s best historic monuments, Warwick Castle, for a start!  It has two top independent single-sex schools, boating on the river, leafy parks and is really close to Leamington Spa (10 mins), Stratford-upon-Avon (20 mins) and Coventry (10-15 mins). The RSC at Stratford, universities in Coventry and bustling nightlife of Brum&nbsp;lie on your doorstep. It&#8217;s a great location in the heart of the country for everyone from city commuters to families, gaming artists, culture vultures and academics.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-16-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="Dough and Brew pizza Warwick" class="wp-image-57440" style="aspect-ratio:1.4992503748125936;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-16-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-16-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-16-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-16-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Doug &amp; Brew</figcaption></figure>



<p>Take your pick from creative Spanish cuisine at <a href="https://lamesa.squarespace.com/">La Mesa</a>, pizza and craft beers at<a href="https://www.doughandbrew.com/"> Dough &amp; Brew</a> and Thai mfood at <a href="https://www.theartkitchen.com">The Art Kitchen</a>. Nice characterful gastropubs include <a href="http://www.theoldcoffeetavern.co.uk/">The Old Coffee Tavern</a>, a London-style boozer with rooms, <a href="https://www.roseandcrownwarwick.co.uk/">The Rose and Crown</a> and <a href="https://www.theglobewarwick.co.uk/">The Globe</a> – both also offer B&amp;B. <a href="https://www.saxonmill.co.uk/#/">The Saxon Mill</a> is just on the outskirts of town, as is the <a href="https://www.ardencote.com">Ardencote</a>, serving up delicious Sunday lunches in its lodge overlooking the lake. And if it&#8217;s a coffee and cakes you&#8217;re after, we can highly recommend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jacksshackwarwick/?modal=admin_todo_tour">Jack&#8217;s Shack</a>, <a href="http://www.warwickstreetkitchen.com">Warwick Street Kitchen</a> and another lovely artisan bakery <a href="https://bfgroup2.wixsite.com/lovebreadandco">Bread &amp; Co</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>Smaller, independent boutiques and antiques shops rule here (although there is a decent sized M&amp;S food hall) including the always helpful <a href="http://www.warwickbooks.net/">Warwick Books</a>, <a href="https://www.hattonandharding.com/">Hatton &amp; Harding</a> for luxe interiors, sustainable groceries from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/greenbeanwarwick/?locale=en_GB">Green Bean</a> and <a href="https://www.greenandwildflowers.com/">Green and Wild</a>, a florist with an eye for British blooms on Smith Street. You&#8217;ll also find a cluster of eclectic cafés and restaurants. For carefully-selected wines order online from Warwick&#8217;s independent wine merchants <a href="https://www.winepoole.co.uk/">Wine Poole</a>. Just out of town is the lovely <a href="https://shoppingvillage.hattonworld.com/shops/">Hatton Shopping Village</a> which has a mix of small independents ranging from boutiques and jewellery makers to a farm shop, garden centre, antiques store and electric bikes shop. Luxury outdoor designer outlet&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tbvsc.com/bicester-village/en">Bicester Village</a> is under 50 minutes away. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-865.jpg" alt="Warwick Castle" class="wp-image-50581" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-865.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-865-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-865-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-865-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-865-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-865-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-865-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-865-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Warwick Castle</figcaption></figure>



<p>Marvel at <a href="https://www.warwick-castle.com/">Warwick Castle</a>, set within 64 acres and with shows bringing history to life. Then there&#8217;s the medieval timber-framed <a href="http://www.lordleycester.com/">Lord Leycester</a>&nbsp;Hospital, one of the best preserved examples of medieval courtyard architecture in England. Climb up the 134ft tower of the <a href="https://stmaryswarwick.org.uk/">Collegiate Church of St Mary&#8217;s</a>, which dominates the town&#8217;s skyline, admire its 15th-century chapel, or if you&#8217;re into jump-racing check out Warwick Racecourse. Don&#8217;t miss the hidden, beautifully-restored Victorian <a href="http://hillclosegardens.com/">Hill Close Gardens</a>, Mill Garden and St Nicholas Park, for excellent riverside castle views. The&nbsp;Grand Union Canal and restored&nbsp;Saltisford Canal Arm&nbsp;also pass through the town, with scenic towpath walks. </p>



<p>Family attraction <a href="https://adventure.hattonworld.com/">Hatton Adventure World</a> is a farm park and shopping village, close to <a href="https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/hatton-locks">Hatton Locks</a> with its 21 canal locks to walk along, and the recently refurbished Muddy Award-winning <a href="https://www.ardencote.com/spa/">Destination Spa at Ardencote</a> is an enticing tranquil treat. The National Trust&#8217;s beautiful <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/warwickshire">heritage properties in Warwickshire</a>, including <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/charlecote-park">Charlecote Park</a>, a Victorian country house and landscaped deer park, are an easy drive. <a href="https://www.comptonverney.org.uk/">Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park</a>, with brilliant bijou exhibitions is close too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>Need to run off some of those delicious cakes we mentioned earlier? Pretty Warwick Castle’s the starting point for the <a href="https://www.twocastlesrun.org.uk/">Two Castles Run</a> through to Kenilworth, or there’s the <a href="https://www.warwickhalf.com/">Warwick Half Marathon</a> beginning at the iconic racecourse. You’re close to Ardencote with its wonderful (and former Muddy Award-winning) <a href="https://ardencote.com/spa/">destination spa</a>, and the <a href="https://www.mallory.co.uk/spa/">Elan Spa at Mallory Court</a> isn’t far either. For yoga check out <a href="https://heisthousestudios.co.uk/">Heist House Studios</a>. There&#8217;s some great GP and pharmacy choices in the town too, and Warwick Hospital is just down the road. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Warwick has a packed calendar of vibrant community events, from an annual food festival to town centre cycle races,&nbsp;the <a href="https://warwickwords.co.uk/">Warwick Words</a> history festival&nbsp;and an <a href="https://warwickfolkfestival.co.uk/">international&nbsp;folk festival</a>.&nbsp;There’s also a <a href="https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/warwick/events-tickets/the-warwick-thai-festival/">Thai festival</a> and Lights of Love at Christmas, where residents hang the names of those they have lost on a tree in the market square.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.playboxtheatre.com/">Playbox Theatre</a> is brilliant for creative kids of all ages interested in training for theatre, circus and film. There&#8217;s the Market Hall Museum in the town centre with displays on the geology, natural history and early history of the county. <a href="https://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk">Warwick Arts Centre</a> has some great performances and is easily accessible – oh and scooped Muddy&#8217;s <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/national-results/">National Award for Best Arts, Culture and Theatre</a>. There&#8217;s also the impressive <a href="https://www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk">Bridge House Theatre</a> at Warwick School, home to Orchestra of the Swan and opened by no other than Dame Judi Dench. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-price"><strong>AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</strong></h2>



<p>Prices flirt around £393,320. The majority of sales in Warwick during the last year were flats, selling for around £243,486. Detached houses sold for an average of £579,279 with semi-detached homes fetching £373,399.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/KF-Warwick-centre-jpeg.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57596" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/KF-Warwick-centre-jpeg.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/KF-Warwick-centre-jpeg-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/KF-Warwick-centre-jpeg-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/KF-Warwick-centre-jpeg-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A unique period property in the heart of Warwick with approximately 4,000 sqft of space. <a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/castle-street-warwick-warwickshire-cv34/str012159230" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market with Knight Frank for £935,000</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>Warwick Prep has its own onsite nursery, <a href="https://www.warwickprep.com/the-squirrels-nursery">The Squirrels</a>, and there&#8217;s also <a href="https://happydaysnurserywarwick.co.uk">Happy Days</a>, <a href="https://www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk">Busy Bees</a> and <a href="http://tiny-town-nursery.com">Tiny Town</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools"><strong>SCHOOLS</strong></h2>



<p>Highly regarded top independents include <a href="http://www.warwickprep.com/">Warwick Prep</a>. <a href="https://www.warwickschool.org/">Warwick School</a>, a leading UK independent and boarding school for boys aged 7 – 18 yrs,  and <a href="https://www.kingshighwarwick.co.uk/">King&#8217;s High, Warwick</a>, an ISI Excellent-rated day school for girls aged 11 – 18 yrs – now all conveniently located on one campus, as part of Warwick Independent Schools Foundation. Outstanding Ofsted-rated state primaries include <a href="https://www.stanthonyscatholic.com/contact-details/">St Anthony&#8217;s Catholic Primary</a> and <a href="https://www.cotenend.warwickshire.sch.uk">Coten End Primary School</a>; with Good secondaries including <a href="https://www.campion.warwickshire.sch.uk">Campion</a>, <a href="https://www.aylesfordschool.org.uk">Aylesford School and Sixth Form College</a> and <a href="https://www.mytonschool.co.uk">Myton</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Actress Sophie Turner &#8211; Sansa Stark in the HBO hit TV series <em>Game of Thrones</em> and in <em>X</em>&#8211;<em>Men: Dark Phoenix</em> &#8211; was a pupil at King&#8217;s High, Warwick and a member of the town&#8217;s <a href="https://www.playboxtheatre.com/">Playbox Theatre</a>, where she&#8217;s an ambassador.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute"><strong>COMMUTE</strong></h2>



<p>It&#8217;s just 40 mins from Birmingham and 1 hr 20 mins to London by train from Warwick Parkway.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


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