A Guide to Living in Warwickshire

Where is Warwickshire?

Warwickshire is an English county located in the central part of England. It covers 600 square miles and has a population of 490,000 people. Warwickshire borders Staffordshire to the north-east, West Midlands to the east, Leicestershire to the south-east, Worcestershire and Northamptonshire to the south, Oxfordshire to the west and Gloucestershire to the northwest.

Areas in Warwickshire

The county is divided into six districts: North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Rugby, Warwick, Stratford-on-Avon and South Warwickshire. Each district has its own unique character, with villages nestled in the rolling hills of the countryside and a thriving metropolitan hub in the town of Warwick. Some of the most popular areas for homebuyers include Warwick, Rugby, Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa.

Warwick

The largest town in Warwickshire, Warwick is located on the River Avon. It is home to Warwick Castle, which was originally built in 1070 and has since been used as a fortress during times of conflict including both World Wars. The castle now operates as a tourist attraction complete with restaurants, shops and medieval reenactments throughout the year.

Leamington Spa

Situated in Warwickshire’s south-east corner, Leamington Spa is perhaps best known for its Victorian architecture and spa waters which were said to have healing properties. Today, Leamington Spa is a vibrant town with a lively arts scene and plenty of restaurants and bars.

Rugby

Located just northwest of Coventry, Rugby’s history dates back to 1567 when it became an important market town for local wool merchants due to its location along major trading routes between London and Scotland. Today, Rugby is known for rugby football (hence the name) and the Warwickshire County Cricket Club also calls this area home.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Just 20 miles west of Birmingham lies the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, most famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The town is home to a number of theatres, museums and art galleries as well as the popular Royal Shakespeare Company.

Universities in Warwickshire

Warwick University is located in Warwickshire and is one of the UK’s top universities. It has been voted number one for student satisfaction by the Times Higher Education Supplement for six years in a row and is home to over 24,000 students.

The university offers a wide range of courses in a number of subject areas, including business, law, engineering and the sciences and specialises in subjects such as international relations, security studies and war studies.

Top Schools in Warwickshire

There are several excellent schools in Warwickshire, both state and private. In Rugby, Oakham School is highly regarded for its outstanding sporting facilities and excellent academic results. Coventry also has several top schools such as Bablake Junior School which was awarded the status of a National Teaching School in 2011.

There are many great state primary schools across Warwickshire with some achieving high scores through national assessment tests (SATs). Parents looking to educate their children privately may want to consider Southam College or Princethorpe College in Rugby.

Population of Warwickshire

The population of Warwickshire was estimated at just over half a million in 2011, making it the seventh most populous county in England. Birmingham is the nearest major city, located around 25 miles away. The M40 motorway runs through Warwickshire and connects to London and other cities in the south of England.