The Lord Leycester

The Lord Leycester Hospital isn't a hospital in the modern sense - it's a remarkably intact Tudor and Jacobean almshouse that sits on the High Street in Warwick, a short walk from the castle. Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and favourite of Elizabeth I, founded it in 1571 as a retirement home for old soldiers, and it's still doing exactly that today. The main courtyard, with its timber-framed buildings arranged in a square, feels genuinely medieval when you step through the gatehouse. You can wander the cloisters, peek into the tiny apartments where residents live, and visit the chapel where there's some rather good stained glass.

History enthusiasts will find this far more absorbing than the crowds at nearby Warwick Castle - it's quieter, more intimate, and actually tells you something real about Tudor life. It won't keep children entertained for long; there's no interactive stuff or space to run about. Allow an hour at most. The gardens are modest but peaceful, and locals often cut through here as a shortcut.

It's free to wander the courtyard and gardens, though donations are welcome. The High Street location makes it brilliant if you're staying at one of the nearby sites like Warwick Racecourse Caravan Club or Knight's Village - you can easily combine it with a castle visit or a walk along the Avon. Go on a weekday morning before the day-trippers arrive, and you'll practically have the place to yourself.