Beyond Rugby
| GUY FAWKES HOUSE | Ashby St. Ledgers | Stanford Hall | Brinklow Castle |
| Caldecott Park | Coombe Abbey | Dunchurch | James Gilbert Museum |
| Rugby School | Play Rugby in Rugby | RUGBY CANALS | clifton & Newton
Dunchurch, A426 south of Rugby.
This attractive village, with rows of thatched cottages, has a 14th century church, built by the monks of Pipewell Abbey, with one of the oldest parish registers in England. Guy Fawkes House, close to the church, was said to be the Lion Inn where the conspirators waited to hear whether their plot had succeeded.
A361.
Here, the Gunpowder Plot conspirators took refuge in the manor house owned by Robert Catesby. The Manor house is not open to visitors but it is close to the road and very atmospheric. Take a stroll through this charming village where some of the cottages were designed by Lutyens. Parts of the village church date to the early 14th Century.
Nr Swinford. (Tel. 01788 860250)
Beautiful William and Mary house on the river Avon. Enjoy a tour of the house, which is still a family home, the Motorcycle Museum and tea room. Open Easter - end Sept, Sat, Sun and BH. Mon and Tues, 2.30pm - 5.30pm, last admission 5pm. Open any day or evening for pre-booked parties of 20 or more. During the season, events are held most Sundays from early May.
Between Coventry and Rugby, the earthworks of this Norman castle which once guarded the Fosse Way are over 40ft high and 60ft across and are accessible daily between sunrise and sunset.
They were described by H A Doubleday in 1904 as: "Very imposing and remarkable earthworks of the moated mount and court type... as fine an example as can be seen anywhere within the kingdom."
The entire works cover about two hectares and comprise inner courts and ditchworks. Although there are now three entrances to the inner courtyards, it is unlikely that any of these are original. The whole of the palisading was doubtlessly of wood. The castle's position on the Fosse Way, and the fact that it lies almost halfway between the castles of Warwick and Leicester, suggests that it was one of a number of castles built at strategic points on the Fosse Way.
Caldecott Park, Rugby, Warwickshire
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Visitors to Rugby are often amazed to find an area of such beauty and tranquility only a few moments away from the busy town centre.
Caldecott Park indulges all areas of leisure and recreation. The beautiful flower beds, lawns and herb garden are a delight to walk around or to sit and admire. For the slightly more energetic there is outdoor tennis, boule, putting and bowls.
Children can enjoy the extensive playground, where they can release their energy in safety.
For more information about Caldecott Park, contact Stephen Beasley of Rugby Borough Council, tel 01788 533711.
Events at Caldecott Park run through the summer months. For information about events that go on in the park, please contact Mary Ferrier at the Town Hall in Rugby, Tel: 01788 533711.
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Situated between Coventry and Brinklow, Coombe Abbey is the remaining part of the seat of the Earls of Craven and incorporates the remains of a Cistercian abbey founded in 1150 which still contains some restored Norman work and 15th century cloisters. William Winde, or Wynne, who is better known for Buckingham House on the site of Buckingham Palace, rebuilt a considerable portion of the house in the later 17th century.
Before the advent of the Cravens, Coombe was the girlhood home of Princes Elizabeth, James I's daughter, who became Electress Palatine, Queen of Bohemia and direct ancestress of Queen Elizabeth II. Medieval banquets are held in the Abbey and Nesfield's fine formal gardens and the 'Capability' Brown park are open to the public.
Dunchurch - 'The Gunpowder Plot Village'
Dunchurch has probably been a travellers' stopover point for over a thousand years, being on the main route from London to Holyhead. Over 40 stagecoaches would stop every day at Dunchurch to allow travellers to refresh themselves at the village inns. Coachmen would take on fresh horses which were kept in the stables and yards of the local inns. Over the centuries many famous people have stayed in the village, including the Duke of Wellington, Princess Victoria (to be Queen Victoria) and Longfellow was said to have written his Old Smithy poem whilst staying here.
In November 1605, the Gunpowder Plot conspirators met at the Red Lion inn in Dunchurch to await the news of Guy Fawkes's success in blowing up the English Houses of Parliament. The Old Red Lion still stands today (it is now a private residence known as Guy Fawkes House) as do many of the old coaching inns.
The earliest historical mention of Dunchurch is contained in the Domesday book of 1086 AD where it appears as 'Doncerce' and belonged to William of Osbourne, a Norman Noble. It had previously belonged to a Saxon called Ulmar. In the Doomsday book, reference was made to the church. This was probably erected at the beginning of the 11th Century and was dedicated to St. Peter. The majority of buildings in the centre of the village today date back to the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries, many still having a traditional thatched roof.
Today, the village has been designated a conservation area and has many buildings of historical interest, including Bilton Grange which is now a school. It is now most fortunate to be bypassed by the M45. Dunchurch retailers, as in its long history, continue to cater for tourists and visitors to the area, having a fine selection of inns, hotels, tea rooms and over thirty shops ranging from antique centres to ladies hairdressers, ladies fashion shops, a windsurfing and sailing shop, gift shops, chemists and a post office.
5, St.Mathews Street,
Rugby,
Warwickshire.
Telephone +44 (0)1788 567777.
Fax: +44 (0)1788 537408.
The museum has the finest collection of rugby memorabilia that you are ever likely to see. It is a unique collection, built up over many years from all over the world. Situated in the shadow of Rugby School, the museum is located in the original building where William Gilbert, boot and shoe maker for Rugby School, made the first rugby ball in 1842.
There is the temple of rugby football, created for the Great Exhibition of 1851 to advertise the MATCH ball that swung under its goal posts. There are footballs signed by visiting internationals from the All Blacks of 1924-5 onwards.
Discover how and why the rugby football came to have its novel shape and uncover the secrets of the leather MATCH ball used in all the big games until the 1980's. Marvel at over 4,000 old mementoes, photographs and artefacts. Find out how a holiday game played by an unruly mob with no laws, and no referee, gradually became the highly technical game it is today. Watch the footballs being hand made.
Open Monday to Friday: 9.00 a.m. to
5.30 p.m.
Open Saturday: 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
The
Rugby Football Club
Webb Ellis Road, Rugby. Telephone: (01788) 542433 Fax:(01788) 561509
Enjoy rugby with the Rugby People. The Rugby Football Club, legend has it, was started by masters and ex-pupils of Rugby School around 150 years ago. This heritage is reflected in the traditional all white strip shared by the Club with Rugby School 1st XV and the England national rugby team. Our red and white hooped socks and rampant lion insignia are emblems of Rugby School's Town House traditional rugby kit.
The Rugby Football Club has a great history and heritage and the players, members and directors extend to you an invitation to join us on your visit to the UK.
Touring Teams - centrally located with easy access to all main motorway routes, The Rugby Football Club offers training facilities, changing rooms, physiotherapist, practice matches, friendly and exhibition games. Base your tour in the UK at Rugby, the birth place of rugby football.
If you would like to arrange a game against an English club side, get in touch with the famous RUGBY LIONS RFC at Webb Ellis Road, Rugby, CV22 7AU, Warwickshire, England. Telephone +44(0)1788 542433
Alternatively contact:
RUGBY WELSH RFC Telephone +44(0)1788 574421
ST. ANDREWS RFC Telephone +44(0)1788 331874 or 814578
NEWBOLD RFC Telephone +44(0)1788 577741
OLD LAURENTIANS RFC Telephone +44(0)1788 813481
Visit Rugby School, birthplace of Rugby Football, scene of Tom Brown's Schooldays, home of the poet Rupert Brooke and the school which educated Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland.
It was at Rugby School in 1823 that William Webb Ellis, a pupil at the school, first broke the rules and picked up the ball and ran with it. The place where it happened - Rugby School's Close - can still be seen today.
For several centuries, the history of the town and the school have been intertwined. Many famous people have been educated at Rugby School including Thomas Hughes, whose book 'Tom Brown's Schooldays' was based on his own schooldays.
Rugby School Museum - 10 Little Church Street, Rugby
Tel. (01788) 556109
Rugby School has an award winning museum which has a wealth of memorabilia about this famous school and the game of rugby football. You can even go on a guided tour of the school which will give you a fascinating insight into its history.
The School Museum tells the story of Rugby, its people and its famous game. Open Monday - Saturday: 10.30 a.m.to 12.30 p.m. & 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Sunday 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Quality gifts, souvenirs and memorabilia are available at the Gift Shop in the Museum.
Tours depart daily at 2:30pm (phone in advance before travelling).
With its many miles of canal, and very few locks, Rugby is an ideal centre for pleasure cruising. The canals pass through some of the most beautiful countryside in the borough and also provide pleasant walks along the tow-paths and there are some ideal locations for anglers.
At Atherstone the Coventry Canal passes through a series of locks, linking Coventry northwards to the River Trent the Potteries and other points in the West Midlands. From it's connection with the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction, the Oxford Canal runs south and east through attractive rural farmland, close to the settlements of Ansty, Brinklow and Newbold.
At Hillmorton the Oxford canal rises by 20 feet with the aid of three sets of locks (7 feet wide) and continues south east to join the Grand Union Canal at Braunston, eight miles away. From there, it is possible to reach London, Leicester, Oxford and Warwick.
Close to Rugby there are facilities for boaters at Hillmorton Locks, including fresh water, refuse disposal and dry docking facilities. British Waterways (who look after the nation's canals) have their national planning and landscape offices there, as well as a compact operation base. Boats may be hired from a number of places in the borough.
At Stretton-under-Fosse, Rose Narrow Boats operate a canal shop and cruise hire facilities. There is, for example, a hire fleet with moorings on the branch of the canal to Rugby Wharf on the A426, which also operates a well appointed trip boat. At Clifton Wharf there is a canal shop where Clifton Cruisers provide a range of services for boaters including hire and repair facilities. Facilities at Hillmorton Wharf include a marina for 30 private boats.
The Oxford Canal Walk - the third National Waterway Walk - agreed in 1995 and links Oxford and Coventry. The 83 miles of stunning countryside and fascinating historical towns will prove to be popular; with it's own unique canal features Rugby is a significant focus on the walk.
For further information about the many aspects of the local waterways and how to enjoy them, please contact the Waterway Manager, The Stop House, Braunston, Northants. Telephone (01788) 890666.