Mill Garden Warwick

Mill Garden, Warwick, England

Mill Garden overlooked by Warwick Castle, England UK. — Mill Garden overlooked by Warwick Castle

The Mill Garden in the medieval castle town of Warwick in the English Midlands near Coventry is one of the less well-known gems in this much visited town. It is a small, private garden with an amazing view of the River Avon and with the walls and towers of Warwick Castle looming over it.

The garden is located at the bottom of Mill Street, a picturesque street of mostly half-timbered Tudor cottages and the half-acre garden runs from the cottage down to the banks of the River Avon.

Early Spring scene in Mill Garden, Warwick, England, UK. — Early Spring scene in Mill Garden, Warwick

History

The garden was created over a period of 60 years by Arthur Measures and is currently owned and opened to the public by his daughter Julia. She is very knowledgeable about the garden and its plants and is happy to share her knowledge with visitors and also sell a selection of the plants.

Lawns and winding paths set among flower beds and shrubbery are dotted with benches where visitors can relax and enjoy the views of the gardens themselves as well as the castle and the River Avon.

Crossing the river are the ruins of what used to be the main bridge across the river, now called the Old Castle Bridge. Dating back to at least the early 13th century, the bridge underwent cycles of disrepair and repair until it was replaced by a newer bridge a little further upstream in the 18th century. In 1795 the central section of the bridge was washed away by a major flood leaving it in the state it is in today. Ruins of the medieval Old Castle Bridge across the River Avon in Warwick.

Ruins of the medieval Old Castle Bridge across the River Avon in Warwick

Information

55 Mill Street, Warwick CV34 4HB
Tel: 01926 492877

Open from April 1st to October 31st, 9 am to 6 pm.
Entry is 3 GBP. Accompanied children are free.

Downstream of the Mill garden a pedestrian bridge crosses the River Avon from the castle grounds. — Downstream of the Mill garden a pedestrian bridge crosses the River Avon from the castle grounds to where the replica Trebuchet, the biggest siege engine in the UK, has been constructed

Nearby Attractions

Warwick Castle is the major attraction for most visitors to the town.

It is a medieval castle that was built by William the Conqueror in 1068 AD. The huge fortress was built to overawe the defeated Saxons with a display of formidable Norman force and might.

Close to the castle is Thomas Oken's House. At the time that Warwick was granted its town charter in 1545, Thomas Oken was a mercer and master of a guild. Oken may have been the richest man in Warwick; he made his fortune dealing in wool and woven fabrics. He was much involved in the administration of Lord Leycester Hospital in his time.

Lord Leycester Hospital is a Grade I listed Medieval building. The building is now a charity that lends support to ex-military staff and their families.

Other places of interest in Warwick include the Warwickshire Museum (Market Hall Museum, St. John's House), and Warwick School believed to be the oldest school in the country dating from the 10th century. The school was for a time housed in the Lord Leycester Hospital.

Just outside Warwick is another castle, Kenilworth. Kenilworth Castle was founded in the 1120's by Geoffrey de Clinton, a rival to Roger de Beaumont at Warwick Castle.

Some of the best views of Warwick castle can be had from the Mill Garden. — Some of the best views of Warwick Castle can be had from the Mill Garden

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Mill Street is a picturesque lane of medieval buildings adjacent to Warwick castle. — Mill Street is a picturesque lane of medieval buildings adjacent to Warwick castle

Warwick Hotels

Warwick offers plenty of choice for hotels, B&B's and guest houses.

Some recommended places to stay are Castle Limes Hotel in a former 19th-century coaching inn, Warwick Arms Hotel and The Old Fourpenny Hotel on Crompton Street.

See a listing of all available hotels in Warwick.

Warwick Access - Getting To Warwick

By Rail: Warwick Station has trains to Birmingham Snow Hill Station in Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon. There are also trains to London Marylebone Station via Leamington Spa.

By Car: Driving from London to Warwick takes about 2 hours on the M40 motorway.

By Coach: National Express offers coach service to and from Warwick. There are local buses to Hatton Park, Stratford-upon-Avon, Leamington Spa, Kenilworth, Coventry, and the British Motor Museum.