Rural Warwickshire

Rural Warwickshire is a beautiful part of the country in which to be outdoors, perhaps walking across the undulating countryside near Ryton Pools or the Rollright Stones or near the village of Brailes, where the first Royal Christmas broadcast took place in 1936 when King George V spoke to the nation from a nearby farmhouse. As well as being close to nature you are never far from something interesting. Equally intruigingly in the tiny village of Sambourne, near Studley, on the border with Worcestershire, stands a barn from which the first few episodes of the Archers were broadcast. While almost next door is a barn housing the UK's largest Scalextric track at Phoenix Scalextric.

If it's Stately homes you are after then there are plenty to take in. From Charlecote Park between Stratford and Warwick to Coughton Court (pictured above), home of the Gunpowder plotters, near Alcester to Baddesley Clinton near Leamington Spa. Each house has its own unique contribution to history and is well worth a visit. Perhaps the jewel in the crown is Ragley Hall, home to the Marquess of Hertford and also a superb adventure playground, adventure lake and, when wet, a fantastic mud safari course round the woods. Major events such as the Battle Proms concerts and the National Game Fair are also hosted here.

In the village of Alcester stands one of the many unique churches which pockmark the landscape. These include churches in Wootton Wawen, Honington, Astley, Berkswell and Henley-in-Arden. Morris Dancers will often be found dancing around village greens in the summer, while sports such as cricket also add to the quaint atmosphere which will prompt discussions in History, Citizenship and PSHE.

For something different you could visit the Purity brewery in their idyllic setting near Great Alne, where a tour could cover topics such as Business, Science and Nature and end with a cool pint to round off a hectic day with your students.