Charlecote Park

Charlecote Park is a red brick Tudor mansion set on about 185 acres of land along the River Avon. The estate includes formal gardens and a deer park where fallow deer roam freely.

Sir Thomas Lucy built the estate in 1558, and Queen Elizabeth I visited and stayed in what is now called the drawing room. The manor played an important role in the local history of the region.

The Tudor great hall displays a 1680 painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller showing one of the earliest documented Black individuals in the region. This artwork tells a remarkable story about the diversity and connections the estate maintained.

The site is accessible to visitors with guided tours of the manor and access to the gardens and deer park. Wear comfortable shoes as exploring the grounds involves considerable walking.

Local tradition connects William Shakespeare to the estate, claiming he may have faced magistrates for poaching deer in the park during his youth. This story is disputed but remains part of the site's folklore.

Location: Charlecote

Location: Hampton Lucy

Location: Wellesbourne and Walton

Inception: 1558

Operator: National Trust

Address: Charlecote, Warwick CV35 9ER

Website: https://nationaltrust.org.uk/charlecote-park

GPS coordinates: 52.20520,-1.61657

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:08