At Warwickshire Walking Tours, we’re all about reviving the mysteries of Warwickshire’s fascinating towns.
While the battlements of Warwick Castle enjoy no shortage of attention, the surrounding settlement’s ancient and intriguing history is a treasure trove of fact, fiction and legend. The town’s old streets and buildings - its very structure - is full to the brim with examples of major historical events and movements, the influence of which was felt well beyond the confines of the county town. From raging fires to despotic monarchs, the threat of Danish invasion to family feuds which shaped the town’s fortune, a few hours walking with one of our guides is capable of teleporting a curious mind back through millennia.
Perfect for covering a town’s history on your holiday with tips and recommendations for guides who have lived here their whole lives.
Even if you live locally, a tour is a brilliant birthday present for that special someone. On your tour we will point out things that you’ve been unaware of the whole time!
Perhaps the most overlooked of Warwickshire’s towns is Leamington Spa. Unlike Warwick or Stratford, it sports no particularly eye-catching features liable to attract tourists by the bus-load. But under two-hundred years ago, this characterisation would have been far from the truth. It’s hard to believe that people as noteworthy Queen Victoria and Napoleon III spent time in Leamington on account of its Spa waters, supposed to provide significant health benefits. But more than this, the town is a true breeding ground for historical twists and turns in lives which expand beyond our luxurious leafy home.
Our Guides
Alex Harold: Co-Founder
I have lived in Leamington for a decade and my specialism lies in giving tours about this town’s history. From the Regency era, to the Victorian period and the World Wars, those on the Leamington tour are always amazed at how much fascinating history and architectural magnificence is crammed into Leamington’s 250-year past. Having recently left Warwick School, I also have a keen eye for Warwick’s hidden gems and unsolved mysteries. I will develop my passion for history further during my degree at Cambridge University, and I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm with you on one of our private tours.
Emily Wood
Having spent many years walking through Warwick as a student at King’s High School, I take great pleasure in revealing the thrilling stories and secrets of Warwick’s streets. Beyond my history undergraduate degree, I’m currently studying for a Masters in modern history at King’s College London. While Warwick’s ancient history is as famous as it is interesting, I enjoy bringing an awareness of more recent historical issues and questions to the central themes of the town’s history. Beyond my historical interests, I’ve developed a keen eye as a photographer so I know all the best places to get a memorable picture taken!
Sebastian Higgins
Like Henry, I went to Warwick School and found history so enriching that I went on to study it at Durham University. In recent years I’ve taken part in several theatrical productions and also been a member of the National Youth Theatre. In this sense, I always take pleasure in bringing a performative aspect to my tours. I love bringing history to life and helping people engage with Warwick’s incredible past in a tangible way. One of my favourite parts of the tour is showing people the door to the old town gaol and watching their reaction as I explain how many people were crammed into such a small space!