Warwick and Stratford for Guides

One of the most impressive buildings is the Great Hall. It is full of historic weapons, armour, and long tables where the lord and his knights would eat. You can imagine banquets, music, and roaring fires as you explore. Nearby, the State Rooms show how rich families lived in the 17th and 18th centuries. Look for gold-framed paintings, velvet curtains, and antique furniture.

Climb Guy’s Tower for a fantastic view across the countryside. The spiral stairs are narrow and steep, but the view is worth it! Guards once stood there, watching for danger. There is also the Princess Tower, where you can hear a magical story told by actors in costume

At 11:30, make your way to the Falconry Lawn. Here, you’ll see birds of prey—like eagles and owls—fly fast and low, right over your heads. This exciting show shows how birds helped people hunt in medieval times.

At 12:30, head down to the riverside field for the Trebuchet Demonstration. A trebuchet is a giant catapult used in wars hundreds of years ago. You’ll see it in action, throwing heavy objects far into the field—sometimes even pumpkins!

Be sure to walk around the castle walls and garden paths. There’s even a dungeon experience, but it’s not for the faint-hearted! For lunch, find a picnic spot near the river or in one of the quiet green areas.

Welcome to Shakespeare's House. I'm sure you all know who Shakespeare is. He was a very famous English writer, responsible for works such as Hamlet, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet. This is the actual house where he would have grown up after being born in 1564.

The house has been kept almost exactly the same as it would have been nearly 500 years ago, right down to the finest details. It still contains his father's glove-making equipment, as his father was a glove maker.

Although we will not be going inside together today, you are welcome to visit the house by yourselves during your free time.

Welcome to the Royal Shakespeare Company.  The Royal Shakespeare Company, often known as the RSC, is one of the world's most famous theatre companies and is dedicated to performing the works of William Shakespeare, as well as other classical and modern plays.

The company is based here in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace, and attracts visitors from all over the world. The main theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, stands on the banks of the River Avon and hosts performances throughout the year.

Although we will not be going inside as a group today, you are welcome to explore the theatre and its exhibition areas in your free time if you would like to learn more about Shakespeare and the RSC's work.

Welcome to Holy Trinity Church. It is best known as the place where William Shakespeare was baptised in 1564 and later buried in 1616.

The church has stood on this site for over 800 years and remains an important place of worship today. Inside, you can find Shakespeare's grave, along with a memorial dedicated to him, making it a popular destination for visitors from around the world.

The Guild Chapel. The Guild Chapel is one of the oldest buildings in the town and dates back to the 13th century.

The chapel is famous for its medieval wall paintings, many of which have survived for hundreds of years. It is also closely connected to William Shakespeare, as he would have been familiar with the chapel during his lifetime, and his father was involved in the town council that helped manage it.

Although we will not be going inside together today, you are welcome to visit the chapel in your free time and explore its historic interior for yourselves.