Warwick

Warwick is the county town of Warwickshire, England. The town lies upon the
River Avon, 11 miles (18 km) south of Coventry and just west of Leamington Spa
and Whitnash with which it is conjoined. At the 2011 United Kingdom census, it
had a population of 58,679. There was human activity at Warwick as early as the
Neolithic period, and constant habitation since the 6th century. It was a Saxon
burh in the 9th century; Warwick Castle was established in 1068 as part of the
Norman conquest of England. Warwick School claims to be the oldest boys' school
in the country. The earldom of Warwick was created in 1088 and the earls
controlled the town in the medieval period and built town walls, of which Eastgate
and Westgate survive. The castle developed into a stone fortress and then a
country house and is today a popular tourist attraction.

1. Economy
Due to its proximity to north-south and east-west motorway routes, many
companies have their head office in the town. Since November 2004, National
Grid plc has had its UK head office on the Warwick Technology Park south of the
town between the A425 road and A452 road. Phillips 66 and their petrol station
group, JET, have their UK base also on the Technology Park as do lingerie company
Bravissimo. IBM and Volvo Group UK have bases on the Wedgnock Industrial
Estate in the north of the town, near to the A46 trunk road. Other companies with
regional headquarters in Warwick include Bridgestone, Calor, Kantar and Delphi
Automotive

2. Geography
Antiquarian William Dugdale wrote in the 17th century that Warwick was
"standing upon a rocky ascent from every side, and in a dry and fertile soil,
having ... rich and pleasant meadows on the south part ... and ... woodland on the
north". Two factors have affected Warwick's built environment: the Great Fire of
1694 and the lack of industrialisation. The fire destroyed much of the town, and
the subsequent rebuilding was largely in one style. In the 19th century, when
other towns were rapidly growing during the Industrial Revolution, Warwick did
not experience the same growth. As a result, the factories and workers' housing
largely passed Warwick by. Part of the reason Warwick did not develop as a centre
of industry was that the town did not lie on important roads and the River Avon
was not navigable as far as Warwick.

3. Landmarks
Warwick Castle is a medieval castle developed from an original built by
William the Conqueror in 1068. Warwick is the county town of Warwickshire,
England, situated on a bend of the River Avon. The original wooden motte-
and-bailey castle was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. During the Hundred
Years War, the facade opposite the town was refortified, resulting in one of
the most recognisable examples of 14th century military architecture. It was
used as a stronghold until the early 17th century, when it was granted to Sir
Fulke Greville by James I in 1604. Greville converted it to a country house and
it was owned by the Greville family, who became Earls of Warwick in 1759,
until 1978 when it was bought by the Tussauds Group. In 2007, the Tussauds
Group merged with Merlin Entertainments, which is the current owner of
Warwick Castle.
The Collegiate Church of St Mary is a Church of England parish church in
the town of Warwick, England. It is in the centre of the town just east of the
market place. It is a member of the Greater Churches Group. The church has
the status of collegiate church as it had a college of secular canons. In
governance and religious observance it was similar to a cathedral (although
not the seat of a bishop and without diocesan responsibilities). There is a
Bishop of Warwick, but this is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of
the Diocese of Coventry.
St John's House Museum is a historic house located in Warwick, just east
of the town centre, in Warwickshire, England. It is now a museum, and has
had a history spanning almost 900 years. To the side of the house is a small
garden belonging to St John's and to the rear is the large St. Nicholas' Park.
The museum is currently operated by Warwickshire Heritage and Culture's
Museum Service, a branch of Warwickshire County Council.