Henley in Arden.
Henley in Arden is set in a conservation area and the one mile long High Street contains over 150 buildings listed as being of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. One notable building is the Guild Hall, a timber framed building standing to the north of St John’s Church. A second notable building is that of the Heritage Centre, it can be found at 150 High Street or now known as Joseph Hardy House, parts of which date back to the 14th century. The Heritage Centre is open to the public daily (except Monday’s) from 1st April to 31st October.
View here for more information on the Heritage Centre
In the centre of the town is the old Market Place where stands the remains of the 15th century Market Cross, one of Henley’s two Scheduled Ancient Monuments, the second being the outline of the fortifications Known as ‘The Mount’ where a Norman Castle once stood. This was investigated by the popular Channel 4 series ‘Time Team‘ in 2002 and some of the artifacts discovered can be found in the Heritage Centre.
Stratford upon Avon.
Traveling approx 5 miles from Henley in Arden you arrive in Stratford upon Avon, the heart of Shakespeare Country. A must place to visit is Shakespeare’s Birthplace which has been welcoming visitors for over 250 years. William Shakespeare was born, grew up and spent the first five years of married life in this house with his new wife, Anne Hathaway.
Why not take the tour? Stratford upon Avon is a vibrant, compact town, boasting a rich architectural heritage; the list of things to do in Stratford upon Avon is as impressive as it is varied. Delightful shops and top-quality restaurants and pubs line the medieval streets, all within walking distance of the scenic River Avon, and surrounded by wonderful Warwickshire countryside. Use the services of the ‘Hop-on, Hop-off’ sightseeing tour.
Royal Shakespeare Company are open every day, our main 1,040 seater thrust stage auditorium 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. Explore their theatres, go to the top of their Tower or visit their free exhibition. Families are welcome – there is easy access for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Warwick.
Warwick Castle is not your average castle. It is full to the turrets with dramatic shows, interactive experiences, storytelling, demonstrations, activities and more. Visit Warwick Castle and you will see great halls, beautiful landscapes; mournful dungeons and high towers - but you’ll also see people having fun, laughing and being amazed. We have eleven hundred years of history, but also great battles, ancient myths, spellbinding tales, pampered princesses, heroic knights, Merlin’s Dragon, and the dark Castle Dungeon.
Attacked in 1264, besieged in 1642 and damage by fire in 1871, the Castle has nevertheless survived the ever-changing fortunes of history. Warwick Castle remained under the stewardship of the Earls of Warwick and later the Greville Family as a private home until 1978. The property was then taken over by The Tussauds Group, which later became Merlin Entertainments Group in 2007 and remains under their guardianship today.
The records of a walled-building in Warwick can be traced back to the Saxon fortification which Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great, used to defend against the invading Danes. The first castle to appear on the site was a wooden motte and bailey constructed in 1068 at the command of William the Conqueror. Throughout the middle ages, under successive Earls of Warwick, the Castle was gradually rebuilt in stone.
Alcester.
Ragley has been the home of the Conway family since 1680. Today, the 9th Marquess and Marchioness of Hertford, their 4 children invite you and your family to enjoy their home and gardens! Children will have hours of fun in the Adventure Wood with 3D maze, aerial slide, rope bridges and climbing apparatus. If you’re a family who likes to explore, then don your walking shoes or wellies and head to the Woodland Walk; a haven for indigenous flora and fauna.
For heritage and culture seekers, at the heart of the Ragley Estate is Ragley Hall, one of England’s earliest and finest Palladian mansions and home to a wonderful collection of art, porcelain and furniture.
Ragley Gardens occupy 10 hectares and surrounds the magnificent Ragley Hall.
National Trust Properties.
Within very easy reach from the Henley Hotel are many National Trust properties
Packwood House and Gardens - The house is originally 16th-century, yet its interiors were extensively restored between the world wars by Graham Baron Ash to create a fascinating 20th-century evocation of domestic Tudor architecture.
Baddesley Clinton - This atmospheric house dates from the 15th century and was the home of the Ferrers family for 500 years. The house and interiors reflect its heyday in the Elizabethan era, when it was a haven for persecuted Catholics - there are three priest’s holes.
Charlecote Park - Charlecote has been home to the Lucy family since the 12th century. Their stories are told throughout the house with their portraits as well as through the objects they collected from around the world. See the design influence they had on the house and parkland.
Upton House - Surrounded by internationally important art and porcelain collections, hear and discover more about family life and soak up the atmosphere of the party. See the red and silver art deco bathroom and get close to artworks by El Greco, Stubbs and Bosch.