Located in the central part of the United Kingdom, Warwickshire is a land-locked shire with an abundance of historical interest - making educational trips to the area well worthwhile. Not only is the town of Stratford Upon Avon the birthplace of, arguably, one of the greatest English language writers of all time, William Shakespeare, but just a few miles outside of Stratford lies another bit of history in the form of Warwick Castle. Educational trips to the area will situate you in the ideal locale to visit the historical buildings, but while in the area do not neglect the modern history that is available as well. If you are interested in the history of transport, then a visit to the nearby Coventry Transport Museum is an absolute must.
Warwick Castle
The large and imposing medieval structure of Warwick Castle sits on the River Avon and strikes a stunning image in the countryside just a short distance away from Stratford Upon Avon. Educational trips to the castle will take students into the grounds to discover its history. It was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror and belonged to the Earl of Warwick; it was taken by the Henry of Anjou in 1153 and later by Henry II. Originally built as a wooden motte-and-bailey castle, in the 12th century it was rebuilt in stone. During the Hundred Years War, part of the façade was re-fortified and is now one of the best examples of military architecture from that era. The castle itself is surrounded by a dry moat on the northern side and there is no real protection from the river side. With two entrances, however, the castle and grounds were made easier to guard and protect. Over the castle's 950-year history, it has been owned by 36 different people, and at various points the crown itself. The grounds were first mentioned in 1534 and 17th century landscaping added to the look of the grounds, which were designed by the aptly named Lancelot Brown. Currently the castle is owned by the Tussauds Group and provides a host of historically relevant attractions and tours through the inside and grounds.
Coventry Transport Museum
Conveniently located in Coventry, due to its once being the centre of the United Kingdom's car industry, the Coventry Transport Museum (CTM) is a museum dedicated solely to the history of transport and boasts the world's largest collection of road transport. With over 300 cycle makers, 120 motorcycle makers and 130 car, commercial vehicle and other transport makers, educational trips to the CTM are a must for those with an interest in transport. The way the exhibits are arranged will take students through the past and into the present realm of motor transport, with some very exciting and famous exhibits. The museum is home to many Jaguars, Triumphs, Humber, Standards, and a few tanks, buses and even tractors. One of the most popular and well-known exhibits are the Thrust2 and ThrustSSC, which are the British cars that broke the land speed records in 1983 and 1997, respectively.
