THE HEART OF ENGLAND - England 2012 and the Best of Wales - page 461

parking. Amenities: Guest lounge with complimentary sherry; ironing facilities. In room: TV, hair dryer,
minibar, fridge, Wi-Fi (free).
White Swan This cozy, intimate hotel, housed in Stratford's oldest building, is
one of the most atmospheric in Stratford. The rooms are clean and perfectly ade-
quate, although some could do with a renovation, but this hotel is all about location
and history over luxury. Many of the original bedrooms have been well preserved,
despite the addition of modern conveniences. Paintings dating from 1550 hang on the
lounge walls.
Rother St., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6NH. www.pebblehotels.com. & 01789/297022.
Fax [phone] units. £75-£95 double. Breakfast from £5.50. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking £5 for 24 hr.
Amenities: Restaurant; bar; room service, Wi-Fi (free). In room: TV, hair dryer.
INEXPENSIVE
Penryn House The location is convenient and the price is right at this B&B,
where hosts Anne and Robert Dawkes are among the most welcoming in town. They
justifiably take special pride in their breakfasts, right down to their superb “Harvest
of Arden” English apple juice. Free-range Worcestershire eggs are served along with
fresh seasonal fruit and locally produced bacon and sausage. They even prepare a
vegetarian breakfast if requested. The bedrooms are a bit small, but well furnished
and comfortable. The location is close to the train station, Anne Hathaway's Cottage,
and the heart of town.
126 Alcester Rd., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 9DP. www.penrynguesthouse.co.uk.
& 01789/293718. Fax [phone] units. £60-£70 double. Rates include breakfast. MC, V. Free
parking. In room: TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi (free).
Victoria Spa Lodge This B&B is old-fashioned, atmospheric, and a great deal.
Opened in 1837, the year Queen Victoria ascended the throne, this was the first
establishment to be given her name, and it is still going strong. The lodge was origi-
nally a spa frequented by the Queen's eldest daughter, Princess Vicky. Rooms are
clean and comfy, decked out in a variety of classic English styles, from period Victo-
rian and floral country inn, to a more contemporary look.
Bishopton Lane (1 1 ⁄ 2 miles north of the town center, where the A3400 intersects the A46), Strat-
ford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 9QY. www.victoriaspa.co.uk. & 01789/267985. Fax 01789/
204728. 7 units. £65 double. Rates include breakfast. MC, V. Free parking. In room: TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi
(£10 per day).

12

WARWICK
94 miles NW of London; 9 miles NE of Stratford-upon-Avon
This small Midland town is best known for Warwick Castle, one of the finest medi-
eval fortresses in England. The castle reflects the town's importance in the Middle
Ages, when it was the base of the earls of Warwick, initially of the Norman Beau-
champ family. The Great Fire of 1694 destroyed most of the medieval town, and
though it was rebuilt, Warwick declined in influence thereafter, despite remaining
the county town.
Today the historic center is charming but easily explored on a day-trip from Strat-
ford. Nearby lie the romantic ruins of Kenilworth Castle, the elegant town of Leam-
ington Spa, and Coventry, a much larger industrial city celebrated for its modern
cathedral.