On the edge of town and just up the street from Holy Trinity Church (Shakespeare's parish church…read moreand burial place), the home of William's daughter is quite lovely from the outside, but not nearly as impressive inside. After entering through the massive gift shop you will find the original house with period furnishings in the first few rooms. Upstairs is a different matter with modern finishings, including drywall and little historical feel, the main room (which would have never been so large) houses a substandard museum dedicated to Dr. Hall's medical profession. The garden is nice, but with little historical feel and picnic tables for those buying food at their cafè. It is a shame that the majority of this house is dedicated to modern pursuits rather than the historically significant details associated with the property. After all, William Shakespeare himself frequented this home, having lived just around the corner or on his way to or from his church (Holy Trinity) just a 150 yards beyond. CombatCritic Gives Hall's Croft 6 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

I don't remember much about the actual museum - I do remember there's a nice garden in the back…read more But what I do remember is that Hall's Croft had the MOST AMAZING scones and tea. I definitely went a few times when I was in Stratford. The scones were so soft and buttery and you could up more butter or jam on it...and the tea came with this really creamy milk. PERFECT for a rainy day, which is like every other day in England. I really want some right now. I don't remember if you had to pay to go into the restaurant area, but admission to Hall's Croft is covered by the Shakespeare Four House, Five House, and Birthplace tickets.

Santa's Magical Steaming…read more Every year, at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre they do a magical train journey on Thomas The Tank Engine, where Father Christmas rides along with you and gives a present to the kids. From the website it looks like a great day out, unfortunately in reality it's not quite so. Don't get me wrong, the kids (mostly) enjoyed the experience but the weather and the route that the train takes means if you've travelled a long way to get there you may feel a little cheated. On arrival, I'll give the centre it's due credit, Thomas is sitting on the platform (and he really is a great Thomas steam train), steaming away, with Christmas lights strung along above him. When the kids see him they do go nuts which is lovely to see. You have allocated seating on the train, and as we went with another couple and their kids we had a compartment all to ourself. The weather was cold, raining and windy. This meant the windows were not only all steamed up but rain covered too. You might not think this is a big deal but the route the train takes is forwards and backwards. Several times. No corners, no inclines, no speed. Outside there are opportunities to see other carriages and engines, and James also puffs along pulling a sleigh full of presents. The kids seemed to enjoy it all though, and when Father Christmas arrives to give them their presents they light up! When you get off you are treated to a complimentary mince pie and mulled wine, and after being outside in that kind of weather they are most welcome! There is also hot food like Chips available, plus tea, coffee and juice etc., all relatively cheap. Inside the 'station' there is a set of carriages made up to look just as they would have been in the 20's which does at least hold some interest for the adults. There are also shows to attend; the day we went there was a magic show by a man who looked and sounded exactly like Rod Hull. I say magic, but use it loosely. I say show, I use that loosely too. Even the kids were completely bored so we walked out halfway through. There is a miniature railway too although with the weather being what it was, and the fact that there seemed to be no other way to reach it than over a stepped bridge across the tracks (not easy with two pushchairs) we decided against it. Then we began the long trip home, and almost wished we hadn't bothered. I'd only recommend this if you are completely selfless or live nearby. It may be more enjoyable with nicer weather but as you're going to be there in November or December anyway I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

The old Oxford Railway Station was taken down from its original site and rebuilt at Quainton and…read moreused as part of the museum buildings. This means you have have tea in the old station café and see Churchill's train standing at the platform under the graceful Victorian metal and glass building. There are plenty of trains to see and lots of restoration work being done. They also have steam days. Check the website for details. Quainton is a very cute oldie English village. It even has a windmill. So it is worth having a wander round while you are in the neighbourhood.

I thought Lunt Fort would be really boring but was surprised when we actually managed to spend a…read morecouple of hours there. The staff are friendly and, despite the small size of the site, there were a few activities for kids in the Granary museum. When I took my boys (aged 9 and 4) they did a scavenger hunt looking for different things around the grounds. There was a small prize as a reward. The place cost only £7 for the whole family to get in with no hidden extras as all the activities were inclusive. I don't think it's somewhere you could have an entire day out but there are other things in the area such as Ryton Gardens and the Midland Air Museum so it's easy to combine activities.

This site is run by the City Council, and boy have they done well, making what is essentially a…read moreseries of old ditches interesting ish. The ditches are all that remain of the fort, which was once a Roman horse-training centre. Wooden structures show how the site 'may have looked', most impressive of which are the gate that you enter by and the old catapult, which is sadly not operational. There are also foundations of other strutures marked out in gravel. While it is commendable that the Council has gone to so much effort, I am at a bit of a loss at who this site is really aimed at. If you don't like history, there's nothing here for you. But if you have any interest in the Roman period, you have probably visited many far better sites. Which only really leaves the schoolkids - although I seem to remember my visit was the highlight of my primary school career!

Unexpectedly brilliant. From the Victorian parlour through the street of old shops (complete with…read moretoxic chemicals, once used as pharmaceuticals, in the locked cabinets!) to the massive hall of telephony, every aspect was thoughtfully and informatively designed and executed. Best: it's accessible, with as much as possible being there to touch and examine. A gem - kudos, guys.

It is an excellent and pretty large local history museum. There was some great work by staff to…read moreinteract with visitors and offer demonstrations. The museum is much bigger than expected and we did not really have time to see it all and only just managed to grab a cream tea (very nice) in the cafe. Reccommended.

Fot the weirdness of it, the girlyness of it, the fetishness of it, this gets a 5. (and they do…read moretouch on fetish in the exhibition). There are other things in this museum but you don't really notice. The largest collection of boots and shoes in the world. Includes Elton John's huge Doc Marten Boots from Pinball Wizard. Little Titch, Music hall artist, boots recently seen on QI. Exhibits at the gallery include shoes for animals - from horses, dogs and even elephants! Northampton was/is a shoe making town. Their Life and Sole (oh haha) galleries are the place for all dedicated followers of fashionoooer ark at me..burst into song there.

The shoe museum in Northampton provides a history of shoes in a town famous for its cobbling. There…read moreare a large collection of shoes though the ages, including some very scary looking shoes for bound feet. There are even some roman sandals as well as much more modern footware. The gift shop sells a number of suitably shoe related items along with the standard postcards, erasers and pencils. The exhibition is good for the serious shoe lover but is worth a few minutes of your time even if you only own two pairs of shoes yourself. The Shoe Museum - does exactly what it says on the tin!

On a recent trip to Warwick and Leamington Spa, I visited the Market Hall Museum. It boasts some…read morepretty cool sights. If you're on the hunt for a historical hour or some free fun that's as delightful as finding a hidden treasure, read on for my five stars: * Famous Bear: Let's address the bear in the room first--or should I say, in the museum! The first attraction you'll come across here is none other than the legendary Museum Bear, an upstanding citizen of the Market Hall who has been charming visitors for years with timeless appeal. Don't miss the chance to snap a selfie with this beloved local celebrity! * Giant Deer: As if one iconic creature wasn't enough, the museum also boasts an impressive display of a giant deer fossil (or more likely, fossils, as the bones to assemble this beast were likely sourced from several individuals). Looking at Oisin, the name fondly given to this Giant Irish Deer skeleton, will make you feel like you've stepped back in time to the prehistoric era. * Sheldon Tapestry: For a touch of medieval grandeur, make sure to admire the exquisite Sheldon Tapestry of Warwickshire, a masterpiece of craft and storytelling that will transport you to a bygone era when medieval manors and halls dotted the countryside. Good luck figuring out which way is north! Mapmaking was just getting its bearings in the 16th century! * Interactive Exhibits: The Market Hall Museum isn't just a place to passively observe history--it's an immersive experience that invites visitors of all ages to interact with exhibits that bring the past to life. Whether you're investigating butterfly wings with the zooming microscope or donning costumes, there are many changes to roll up your sleeves and get hands-on. * Free Entry: And here's the cherry on top--admission to the Market Hall Museum is absolutely free! That's right, you can indulge your curiosity and satisfy your inner history buff without spending a single penny. That leaves you a few pounds to spend on goodies in the café or gift shop. Altogether, the Market Hall is a budget-friendly spot that's as priceless as the treasures you'll discover--like Roman coins and a real live bee hive. Yes indeed, the Market Hall Museum is a not so hidden gem located in the heart of Warwick, offering a journey through time that's equal parts educational and entertaining. Whether you're a history aficionado, a nature lover, or just looking for a fun way to spend an hour or two with the family, this charming museum has something for everyone.

This is ok if you like dinosaurs and stuffed dead things. It's free to get in and, as there are a…read morecouple of other museums in Warwick, it's good as part of a day out, particularly if it's raining (because, if it's a nice day, St. Nicholas Park is the best place to go!). The museum has two floors. The ground floor has bones and fossils found locally of different creatures and is more about the prehistory of the area while the first floor has two rooms, one with human history showing maps, bones, etc. with information about local history and archaeology and the other room with a range of stuffed animals and insects in drawers and things. There are bits of information about the different creatures shown and the museum also have there own honey bees. (I think their honey is sold in the museum). I don't think there is parking at the museum itself but there are a few parking places including a large one by St Nicholas Park (known as Warwick Park or just "the" park, local people will know where you mean if you as where it is!) which is only a short walk from the town centre and the museum is pretty much in the middle of the town.

This is one of the best museums I've seen. There is so much there to see, so much history as well…read moreas modern art.There are areas to keep kids occupied where they can do various activities. Many of the displays in the Pump Rooms are interactive and there is a lot of visual and textual information. I would say that this kind of place would appeal to all sorts of different people, whether you like to interact or whether you prefer to just look at things, there is something there which will be of interest.My 6 year old particularly enjoyed the listening posts as well as the kid's area..The other thing which is good is that there is so much in one building. Art gallery, museum, library. There is also a small cafe and tourist information centre in the same building. The cafe is not too bad. I think it's a little over-priced, often crowded and doesn't offer a particularly wide choice.It's also free to get in which is always good!The one thing which disappointed me was that, when I looked for souvenirs in the tourist information centre, they were very over-priced and the prices weren't clearly displayed which meant that I had to tell my son he couldn't have something which I'd said he could have because it was a lot more expensive than we thought it was.Apart from that, though, the rest of the place is nice. Just don't buy anything from the tourist information centre!

The Art Gallery and Museum of Leamington Spa has numerous roles to take on.It explains the history…read moreof the Pump rooms and baths and explains why and how the victorians used them. However it is not just living in the past. With an extensive permanent art collection including a Lowry the gallery is a must for art lovers. There is also a temporary art collection with different shows on lasting for about three months. One of the most popular of these was the Open which allowed members of the public to submit their work in a competition witht he best best being displayed. Not only does the pump room cater to art lovers but it has lots of craft workshops for young children and adults and an interactive gallery for children to play in.

This is a top venue with awesome conference facilities. The facilities have been used time and…read moretime again when it comes to hosting events and meetings. The Heritage Motor Centre has a large number of meeting rooms, which vary in size. They also have free wi-fi available, a cafe on site and amble parking for delegates and vistors to the Heritage Motor Museum. The conference centre incorporates a Motor Museum, which houses the world's finest collection of historic British cars. Catering for meetings or large events is no problem for them, and they offer a variety of options ensuring they cater for those with dietary requirements. The customer service is 5 star - nothing is too much trouble for them, the staff are happy to help with special requests and also help plan your event in order to make it a success.

I loved this place. I was here for an event but snuck down…read moreto see all the cars they have. I fell in love with every Land Rover I saw. Great place to go with family or anyone really as long as they enjoy cars. I'd love a return visit.