Moving to Warwick

Warwick is the county town of Warwickshire and is famous for its castle and historic charm.

Moving to Warwick from within Europe is usually by road and from further afield usually by sea, with more urgent items coming by air freight. Further details of the various shipping options can be viewed in our shipping guidance.

History

The town of Warwick sits on the River Avon. It was a fortified Saxon settlement in the ninth century. The castle was established shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1068, and twenty years later the earldom of Warwick was created. The earls controlled the town during the middle ages and built the town walls. Much of the medieval town was destroyed in the Great Fire of Warwick in 1694. As a result most of the buildings in the town centre are of the late seventeenth or early eighteenth century, but a number of older medieval buildings survive around the edges of the town centre.

Unlike many towns in the midlands Warwick was not industrialised during the nineteenth century, partly because it was sited away from major roads but also because the River Avon was not navigable as far as Warwick. Today the town retains its historic atmosphere but now it is close to major trunk routes and many high-profile companies have their head or regional office in the town. National Grid’s head office is on the Warwick Technology Park, for example, while IBM and Volvo have bases on the Wedgnock Industrial Estate.

Attractions

The most obvious attraction is the magnificent castle, which stands beside the River Avon and is set in grounds designed by Capability Brown. The castle has played an important role in English history for eleven centuries and a visit is a must. The beautiful Collegiate Church of St Mary’s dominates Warwick’s skyline and features the fifteenth century Beauchamp Chapel as well as having stunning views from its tower of the town, the castle and beyond.

Other popular visitor attractions include the late medieval timber-framed buildings clustered around the Norman gatehouse, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers’ Museum, Warwickshire Museum in the Market Hall, Hill Close Gardens – which has no fewer than sixteen hidden Victorian gardens – and the elegant Georgian Court House.

Amenities and Entertainment

Warwick’s market place is the heart of the town, hosting a thriving Saturday market and a variety of independent shops and restaurants. More familiar high street names can be found on Market Street, while Swan Street is the town’s main shopping street. There are attractive parades of shops on the West Street and Coten End approaches to the town centre.

There is a wide choice of places to eat out, from cafes and old-fashioned tea rooms to quality fine-dining restaurants, Tapas bars to Gastro-pubs, Thai and Indian restaurants to takeaways.

Each summer the town puts on the Warwick Folk Festival, a highlight of the British music calendar, while plays are regularly staged at the Bridge House Theatre and classical music concerts at St Mary’s church. Horseracing has been part of Warwick life since 1707, and the racecourse, situated close by the town, holds a full programme of National Hunt racing throughout the year.

Transport

Warwick has excellent transport links to the rest of the country.

  • Warwick railway station and Warwick Parkway railway station (which opened in 2000) provide services to London Marylebone and Birmingham Snow Hill. The journey time to London is around an hour and a half.
  • The nearest major airport is Birmingham International Airport, about twenty miles from Warwick, which offers domestic and international flights.
  • Passing close by Warwick is the M40 motorway, connecting the town with the M25 and London to the south and with Birmingham to the north.

Whether you are moving to Warwick as a newcomer or returning from abroad, Atlantic International Movers in conjunction with our service partners around the world can move your belongings to the UK quickly, safely and securely.

Contact us for more information or give us a call on Freephone: 0800 169 3061 or International calls: +44 (0) 1707 648 556.