All posts by Sarah Richardson

National Trust Open for Free on Heritage Open Days 11-20 September

News
Celebrate culture and history with free entry for Heritage Open Days 
  • Enjoy a free day out at participating National Trust places as part of Heritage Open Days 2026
  • The Heritage Open Days Festival returns from 11 – 20 September 2026
  • Heritage Open Days provides everyone with free access to a whole host of experiences and events across England. For a list of properties open within 10 miles of Avon Dassett see here.
England’s largest festival of history and culture, Heritage Open Days is back for 2026, from 11 – 20 September. Presented by the National Trust, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, Heritage Open Days gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy free access to experiences and events across England.
The festival brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Each year places across the country, including many National Trusts sites, throw open their doors to give people the chance to explore, see hidden places and try new experiences for free.
This year’s theme is Everyday Histories, exploring daily working life through the ages. The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker – what did your ancestors do, and what was their daily life like?
Here’s a round-up of the best National Trust events happening near you for Heritage Open Days:
Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire
This Heritage Open Day, visitors can discover the secluded and intimate estate of Baddesley Clinton, nestled in the heart of the Forest of Arden and home to 500 years of fascinating and unexpected stories.
On Sunday 13 September, the doors will open free of charge, for visitors to explore this remarkable house and learn how it became a sanctuary not only for the Ferrers family, but also for persecuted Catholics who were hidden from priest hunters in its secret hiding places. Visitors can also take a stroll through the beautiful gardens, from the walled garden to the vegetable patch and beyond, with plenty to enjoy and discover.
Don’t miss the showcase in the house of a special exhibition of visitor-created artwork inspired by Lady Chatterton’s life and legacy and how she preserved this beautiful place for future generations to enjoy.
No booking required. For more information on opening times visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/warwickshire/baddesley-clinton
Coventry Charterhouse, Coventry
On Friday 18 and Saturday 19 September, as part of the Heritage Open Days celebration, Coventry Charterhouse opens its doors to all. Visitors can enjoy free entry and discover one of Coventry’s most historic treasures, with centuries of fascinating stories to uncover.
Step inside the beautifully restored 14th-century building, home to some of the finest examples of medieval and Renaissance art in England. Explore the peaceful walled garden and wander the surrounding grounds. From its origins as a medieval monastery to its later life as a private home, Coventry Charterhouse offers a unique glimpse into the city’s rich heritage.
No booking required, just turn up and explore the Charterhouse for free.
Packwood House, Warwickshire
This Heritage Open Day, visitors are invited to step inside Packwood House and discover a house where Tudor heritage meets the dreams and imagination of the 20th century.
Opening its doors for free on Saturday 12 September, Packwood brings together salvaged treasures and exotic pieces created by Graham Baron Ash, who extensively restored the 16th-century house between the First and Second World Wars.
Described by a visitor in the 1920s as “a house to dream of, a garden to dream in”, Packwood offers something for everyone, from its brightly coloured ‘mingled style’ herbaceous borders, lakeside walk and famous sculpted yews to the family-friendly Welly Walk, where children can discover hidden fairy houses, play nature-inspired musical instruments and test their balance on wooden stepping stones and interlinked beams.
No booking required. For more information on opening times visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/warwickshire/packwood-house
Upton House and Gardens, Warwickshire
Discover Upton House, a remarkable 1930s home on the Warwickshire and Oxfordshire border, shaped by Lord and Lady Bearsted’s passion for art and gardens. Explore its impressive collection of Old Master and British paintings, including works by Bosch, El Greco and Canaletto, and wander through the distinctive terraced gardens.
As part of Heritage Open Days on 12 and 13 September, visitors can enjoy free entry, with the added highlight of Meet Rembrandt, a slow-looking experience centred on the picture Self-portrait in a Feathered Bonnet (1635). Take a moment to look closely at this extraordinary masterpiece and discover more with a free audio guide.
Outside, the National Collection of asters will be in bloom, adding vibrant seasonal colour to Upton’s historic gardens.
Charlecote Park, Warwickshire 
On Friday 18 and Saturday 19 September, explore Charlecote Park, a Victorian home set in a deer park near Stratford-upon-Avon, for free. Legend has it that a young Shakespeare was caught poaching in the park before running away to London, where he gained fame for his plays. National Trust volunteers will be on hand to share Charlecote’s history and anecdotes with visitors, games and activities will be available for young visitors.
No booking required. For more information on opening times visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/charlecote

George Mason from Avon Dassett to Llanwddyn

News

Our latest local history article comes courtesy of Carol Pearce of Llanwddyn Local History Group.

It tells the story of George Mason and his tragically early death whilst part of the labouring team building a dam across the River Vyrnwy to create a reservoir. You can read the full story here:

Further articles and publications may be found on our Local History Group page.

Warwickshire to move to two unitary councils

News

The Government has announced that the existing six councils in Warwickshire will be replaced by two larger single-tier authorities – one covering the north and the other the south in 2028.

Under the decision, one unitary council will cover the north of Warwickshire, including North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth, and Rugby. A second unitary council will cover the south of Warwickshire, including Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick. Avon Dassett will be in the South Warwickshire council.

The six councils said:

“Our shared priority is to make sure residents, businesses and communities continue to receive the services they rely on, and that the move to the new councils is managed carefully and in the best interests of Warwickshire.

“There is now important work to do.We will work closely with Government, partners, our staff and councillors to support a smooth transition and to help shape the best possible future for local services.”

Elections for the newly formed councils are due to be held in 2027.

At that point shadow operations will be in place until the new authorities take full control in 2028, when the existing councils will be wound up.

The new South Warwickshire council will deliver all local services including waste collection, planning applications and street cleaning, education, transport and libraries.

Lloyds Tour of Britain Women, 23 August

News

Warwickshire will take centre stage in the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women, with the newly announced final stage starting and finishing in Leamington Spa on Sunday 23 August. The cyclists will tackle the Burton Dassett Hills and skirt round the top end of the village. Please note there maybe traffic restrictions in place during the race. For more information and a full route map see: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tour-britain-women

From the start in Leamington, the 77-mile (123.8km) route will head north to Kenilworth, before heading through Stoneleigh towards Princethorpe, where it will follow the Fosse Way southwards, passing over the M40 through Wellesbourne and Shipston-on-Stour, before turning north. The peleton will then take in a succession of climbs, including Sun Rising Hill (900m at 10% average gradient) and the ascent of Burton Dassett Hills Country Park (700m at 9% average gradient), which was a summit finish in last year’s men’s race.

The cyclists will turn left at the Avon Dassett crossroads towards Fenny Compton, Knightcote and Southam before returning to Leamington via Radford Semele and the finish near Jephson Gardens.

 

Booking required at some Warwickshire recycling centres

News

 

Changes are coming to Warwickshire Recycling Centres From Monday 20 July 2026.

A new tailored, hybrid booking system is being introduced across Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). To stop long queues on busy days and at weekends while keeping things flexible, whether you have to book and when will now depend entirely on which site you are planning to visit. The goal is to make recycling as smooth, quick, and safe as possible for everyone.

For details on the changes, operational hours, and if you have to book a slot, go to: https://orlo.uk/7DxIo

Cecil William Boyle – England Rugby International

News

Our latest local history article has been published!

Phil Hill, journalist and author has written a fascinating book: The Lives of England Rugby Players 1871–1899 (available on Amazon) which features tales of the lives of those 337 men on and off the rugby pitch, with photographs accompanying each character. There are stories of a murder mystery, spies, wild cat attacks, a fighting  vicar, Queen Victoria amused and not amused, Sherlock Holmes, Peter Pan and Jack the Ripper, and much more.

One of the entries is on Cecil Boyle of Avon Carrow, and Phil has allowed us to republish his entry here:

Further articles and publications may be found on our Local History Group page.

Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society secure a loan to ‘restructure their balance sheet’

News


Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society which own The Yew Tree for the community has secured loan financing from Co-operative & Community Finance. The  pub was brought under community ownership in 2017.

In recent years, Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society – the locally owned committee overseeing the pub – has helped lead a number of refurbishments to the pub, including the installation of double glazing, upgraded drainage, extensions to the patio area, accessibility features, and more. It also continues to support community events and activities at the pub, such as a walking group, a monthly quiz, community noticeboard and a bridge club.

To support its growth as a financial asset for the community, the Yew Tree has secured the loan from CCF, which says it will enable “withdrawal of some shareholder investment to help improve the mix of debt and equity”.

Tim Coomer, Business Development Manager at CCF, said: “As the community pub sector becomes more established, we are receiving an increasing number of enquiries from pioneer groups and those supported through the original More than a Pub project.’

Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society Management Committee added: “The Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society is grateful to Co-operative & Community Finance  for supporting us through the process of restructuring our balance sheet.

“They showed a genuine interest in, and understanding of the issues we were facing and guided us through the application process. We are now on a more secure and stable footing going forward due to the loan package provided.”

The loan follows a period of change for the tenant who manages The Yew Tree on behalf of the Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society. The Happy Wolf Pub Company Ltd went into liquidation earlier this year, owing over £390,000 to HMRC alone. The business then restructured and reopened under the company name, The Wolf Cub Collective Ltd.

Explore Warwickshire’s National Trust Gardens this Summer

News
Where summer blooms and time slows down: Explore National Trust summer gardens in Warwickshire that celebrate colour, calm and quiet
  • The best National Trust summer gardens to visit in early summer 
  • Visitors are encouraged to embrace the colour and calm of a National Trust garden and pause for a peaceful escape 
  • Gardens are free to explore for National Trust members

Early summer is the perfect time to reconnect with natures quiet rhythms. As borders burst into colour, National Trust gardens in summer invite visitors to slow down and linger a little longer.
Take in the sights and scents of flowers in full bloom and pause for a moment finding a peaceful escape from the pace of everyday life.
Visitors can while away hours in the sunshine meandering along tree-lined paths, through formal gardens and historic parterres, or basking in the warmth of walled kitchen gardens. Shady orchards are home to heritage varieties of fruit trees, and wildflower meadows buzz with life. Enjoy a solo stroll or share the moment with family and friends and pack a picnic for a full day out.
Each garden is looked after by a team of the charity’s staff and volunteers and is planted to not only add colour and interest, but support wildlife and nature too.
To celebrate the colourful, quiet days of early summer, the National Trust has pulled together a list of the best summer gardens to explore now in Warwickshire.
 
Here are the details for the best summer gardens in Warwickshire:
Baddesley Clinton
Summer is a spectacular time to explore the gardens at Baddesley Clinton, with formal gardens, wildflower meadows and historic stew ponds, the longer days are the perfect time to explore. The colourful borders come into full bloom and visitors can wander through displays of soft peonies and sweetly scented sweet peas climbing through the flower beds. Fragrant roses fill the air while bountiful borders spill over onto pathways, creating a vibrant patchwork of colour throughout the grounds. From formal planting schemes to productive vegetable gardens overflowing with seasonal produce, there are blooms at every turn, while the wildflower meadows hum with buzzing bees and butterflies, making it the perfect place to slow down, soak up the scenery and enjoy the beauty of the season.
Charlecote Park 
Charlecote comes alive in summer with its flowers spilling over beds and borders, framed by lush greenery. From late spring into summer, delicate peonies, striking purple allium, bright marigolds and heliotropes transform the gardens. Nearby, the Orangery and the charming Victorian-era Granny’s Summerhouse are framed by flourishing blooms, while the secluded Woodland Garden offers cool, shaded paths ideal for a peaceful escape on warmer days. Just beyond the gardens, in the deer park, bees from the Apiary are gathering nectar, dragonflies are buzzing around the river, and visitors may even spot a flash of kingfisher blue along the Avon.
Packwood House
At Packwood House, the grade II listed gardens dating back to 1650, provide a peaceful retreat filled with colour and tranquillity throughout the summer months. In the beautiful Carolean Garden, visitors can admire stunning herbaceous borders and take in sweeping views across the gardens and surrounding parkland, while climbing roses, fragrant honeysuckles and vibrant terrace beds bring a dazzling burst of seasonal colour. Bursting with a kaleidoscope of blooms, the gardens are the perfect place to enjoy the long, warm days of summer outdoors. From the contemporary mingled-style planting and wildflower meadows to the orchard and productive Kitchen Garden, there is beauty around every corner and the magnificent ancient yew trees are waiting to be explored.
Upton House
  • Gardens open daily 10am – 5pm
  • Gardens open until 7pm for evening picnics on 19 & 26 June | 24 & 31 July | 21 & 28 August
Summer is a wonderful time to explore the gardens at Upton House, where colourful borders, fragrant roses and sweeping views create the perfect seasonal escape. The honey-coloured house is home to a renowned art collection, as well as a café and gift shop, making it ideal for a relaxed day out.
Remodelled by Lady Bearsted with guidance from Kitty Lloyd-Jones in the 1930s, the gardens feature highlights including the mirror pool, rose garden and herbaceous borders, all bursting with colour throughout the summer months. Visitors can enjoy peaceful walks beneath the cedar trees, admire vibrant displays of lupins, delphiniums and peonies, or unwind in the lush Bog Garden beside gently trickling water.