Places of Interest - Middle England

Places of Interest - Central England

Shropshire
Leicestershire
Rutland
Nottinghamshire

.....in Warwickshire

	The owners of the Royal Pump Rooms , Warwick District Council, in collaboration with Warwickshire County Council, produced proposals to relocate Leamington's Art Gallery, Museum, Library and Tourist Information Centre to the Pump Rooms, to refurbish the Assembly Rooms, and to provide a new Café, so creating a major cultural and tourist attraction. The new building opened to the public in Summer 1999, safeguarding the future of the historic Pump Rooms for the 21st century.	Royal Pump Rooms The Parade Royal Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV32 4AA 01926 742 700

Coughton Court nr Alcester, B49 5JA 01789 400777	Coughton Court is one of England’s finest Tudor houses. Home of the Throckmorton family since 1409, the house has fine collections of furniture, porcelain and family portraits, and a fascinating exhibition on the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Coughton Court is a National Trust Property

	The Warwickshire home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Hertford. Robert Hooke designed Ragley in 1680. The family continued for many years to live in “the Old Hall”, so this house was not fully furnished and decorated until the middle of the 18th Century. Extensive parkland and well-designed adventure playground.	Ragley Hall Alcester Warwickshire B49 5NJ (01789) 762 090

.....in Hertfordshire

*Hertford*
	The building often referred to as Hertford Castle is in fact the gatehouse. The castle itself no longer stands but occupied the enclosed area behind the gatehouse. For 300 years a Royal Palace stood within the flint walls having previously been one of a series of castles built for defence purposes. The castle now acts as the offices of the town council.	*The Castle* Hertford SG14 1HR 01992 584322

*Stevenage*
	There are many restaurants, a 16 screen cinema, tenpin bowling and bars	Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre Lytton Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 1LZ 08700 131030

*Welwyn Garden City*
Gosling Sports Park Stanborough Road Welwyn Garden City Hertfordshire AL8 6XE www.goslingsports.co.uk	Gosling Sports Park is a superb 52-acre leisure complex offering a multitude of top sporting facilities. These include a well-equipped fitness suite, 13 indoor and 9 outdoor tennis courts, 170m dry ski slope, aerobic studios, indoor bowls hall, squash, badminton, golf, synthetic pitches, athletics & cycling facilities
Welwyn Roman Baths Welwyn Bypass, Junction 6 of A1(M)	These Roman baths were once part of a Roman villa. You can still see the layout of the baths, the cold, warm and hot rooms, along with the hypocaust which provided the warm underfloor heating. Phone and check the museum is open before arriving	01707 271362

*Royston*
ROYSTON AND DISTRICT MUSEUM Lower King Street Royston Hertfordshire SG8 5AL Tel: 01763 242587	The Royston Tapestry at the Museum is a project initiated in 1992 by the present curator and depicting scenes from the town’s past, which, when finished, will rival the Bayeux Tapestry in its skill and originality.
ROYSTON CAVE Melbourn Street Royston Tel: 01763 242587	The cave is owned by the Town Council and opened for public visits by the Royston and District History Society at weekends from Easter to the end of September	Royston Town Council 01763 245484

.....in Worcestershire

*Evesham*
	The Almonry Heritage Centre is housed in the Almoner’s House of the eighth century Abbey of St. Ecgwin, immediately adjacent to the site of the Great Gatehouse of the Abbey. The present building is the result of successive phases of building, alteration and rebuilding carried out over a period of at least 700 years.	The Almonry Heritage Centre Abbey Gate Evesham WR11 4BG 01386 446944

.....in Oxfordshire

River & Rowing Museum Mill Meadows Henley on Thames RG9 1BF 01491 415600	The Museum has three main galleries devoted to the River Thames, the international sport of rowing and the town of Henley. There are also three special exhibition galleries, the Riverside Café, shop, Education Centre, library and function rooms. The building is raised on columns above water meadows beside the Thames and is built of exposed concrete and glass with a terne coated steel roof, clad in green oak.

.....in Buckinghamshire

	Stowe is often described as the most important landscape garden in the world, and yet it is not a garden in the modern sense of the word. Stowe was created in the 18th century as an idealised version of nature with over 40 monuments and temples set against a breathtaking backdrop of glorious open spaces, wooded valleys and ornamental lakes. Given to the National Trust in 1989 the gardens have been undergoing an ambitious restoration programme that is now two thirds underway. At its centre is Stowe House currently also being restored to recapture its former unparalleled magnificence.	Stowe Landscape Gardens Buckingham Buckinghamshire MK18 5EH 01494 755568

Waddesdon Manor Waddesdon Nr Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP18 OJH www.waddesdon.org.uk 01296 653226	Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, creator of Waddesdon, loved France and French art. In 1874, with his French architect Destailleur and his landscape gardener Lainé, he built this Renaissance-style château on a hilltop overlooking the Vale of Aylesbury. Completed in 1889 Waddesdon Manor is the last remaining example of 'le style Rothschild'.

.....in Shropshire

Ludlow Castle Ludlow Shropshire 01584 873355	A vast 11th century castle with much of its masonry intact, in a spectacular setting above the river Teme. From the huge Outer Bailey a bridge across the moat leads to the Inner Bailey with the Keep,Great Chamber, Solar Wing and other interesting buildings.

	Stokesay Castle is the finest and best preserved 13th century fortified manor house in England. It nestles in peaceful countryside near the Welsh border, with its timber framed Jacobean gatehouse and the nearby Parish Church. The Great hall still retains its original medieval staircase. An inclusive audio-tour will help you to imagine its medieval splendour.	Stokesay Castle Craven Arms Shropshire SY7 9AH 01588 672544

The Ironbridge Gorge Museums Ironbridge Telford Shropshire TF8 7AW 01952 884391	Scene of pioneering events which led to the Industrial Revolution, the Ironbridge Gorge is host to the series of 10 unique museums. Stunning scenery, a recreated Victorian town, Coalport China and the world famous Iron Bridge are just some of the attractions.

Displays of Roman and pre-historic Shropshire, costume, geology, medieval lifestyle, natural history, decorative arts, exhibitions and workshops - all housed in a huge "magpie" mansion.

Rowley's House Museum
Barker Street
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
01743 361196

Castle Lodge Castle Square Ludlow Shropshire SY8 1AY	Elizabethan in style, Castle Lodge has its origins in the 14th century, with oak- panelled rooms and low- beamed chambers. Now privately owned and open daily.	01584 878098

.....in Leicestershire

Calke Abbey Ticknall near Melbourne Leicestershire 01332 863822	Baroque mansion built in 1701-3 which has remained virtually unaltered since the death of the last baronet, Sir Vauncey Harpur- Crewe in 1924. Set in 750 acres of beautiful parkland, 18th century stable block, Gothic-style church, walled gardens and restaurant.

Donington Grand Prix Collection , Donington Park Castle Donington, Leicestershire	130 exhibits within 5 halls depicting motor sport history from the turn of the century to the present day.	01332 811027

Bosworth Battlefield Visitors Centre and Country Park Market Bosworth Leicestershire	Historic site of the Battle of Bosworth Field 111485 where King Richard 111 was defeated by the future Henry V11. Award-winning interpretation of the Battle with the Visitor Centre giving a complete insight into medieval times.	01455 290429

	Palladian style Hall and National Trust Church surrounded by the beautiful parklands and lakes of the Staunton Estate. Inside the church, see the original 17th century cushions, fine panelling and painted ceilings. Also visit Staunton Harold Reservoir.	Staunton Harold Hall Staunton Harold Ashby de la Zouch Leicestershire 01332 86382

.....in Rutland

Belvoir Castle Grantham Leicestershire NG32 1PD 01476 871000	Home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland, superbly situated overlooking the Vale of Belvoir. Magnificent staterooms containing notable paintings, tapestries and fine furniture. Also visit the Queen's Lancers Museum. The Stewards Restaurant is open throughout the season (Tel: 01476 871024).

	Exceptionally fine Norman Great Hall of 12th century fortified manor house. Unique display of horseshoes presented by peers and royalty to the Lord of the Manor.	Oakham Castle Market Place Oakham Rutland 01572 723654

Normanton Church Museum Rutland Water Rutland 01572 653926	The tower of this late 17th century church stands above the wavelets of Rutland Water. Formerly part of the Normanton estate, it houses a fascinating collection of ancient artefacts and illustrations of the development of the reservoir which it overlooks.

	5,000 sq.ft. of walk-through jungle with free-flying butterflies and tropical birds. Ponds with koi carp and terrapins. New extension featuring tropical creepy-crawlies, iguanas and tarantulas.	Butterfly Farm & Aquatic Centre Sykes Lane North Shore Rutland Water Rutland 01780 460515 www.rutlandwaterbutterflyfarm.co.uk

.....in Nottinghamshire

Southwell Minster Bishop's Drive Southwell Nottinghamshire 01636 812649	A superb Minster Church and Cathedral with a history going back almost a thousand years. The Norman nave is said to be one of the finest in Europe. See the new "Angel Window", search for 10 mice carved by Robert Thompson, visit the Chapter House to see the famous "Leaves of Southwell" and carvings of dogs, rabbits and pigs hidden in the foliage. The Southwell Minster Centre incorporates the Minster shop and Refectory, with audio visual display and Exhibition.

Newark Castle Castle Gate Newark Nottinghamshire	Newark Castle is located in the town centre, off Castle Gate Historic ruins dating back to the early 12th century. Fine Norman gatehouse.	01636 655765

	Bi-planes to V_Bomber - a diverse display of aircraft and aviation. 50 aircraft and cockpit sections from across the history of aviation, including 11 National Benchmark aircraft, as listed on the National Aviation Heritage Register.	The Newark Air Museum Winthorpe Showground Newark Nottinghamshire 01636 707170

Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery off Friar Lane Nottingham NG1 6EL	Situated high above the city, features exciting exhibitions, the Story of Nottingham gallery and underground Cave Tours.	0115 9153700

Newstead Abbey Ravenshead Nottinghamshire	Magnificent former home of the romantic poet, Lord Byron. Picturesque formal gardens, water features.	01623 455900

Papplewick Pumping Station off Longdale Lane Ravenshead Nottinghamshire NG15 9AJ 0115 963 2938	A late Victorian waterworks with James Watt beam engine in ornate engine house with intricate brasswork and stained glass windows. Engines are steamed at Bank Holidays and other selected weekends.

Other UK Attractions (By County/Regions)

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