The Lord Leycester

The Lord Leycester Registered charity housing British veterans for 450 years. Support us by visiting our historic site today - tickets last all year!

Did you know that during the summer months, the Lord Leycester's original Deed of Incorporation is replaced with an iden...
08/06/2026

Did you know that during the summer months, the Lord Leycester's original Deed of Incorporation is replaced with an identical replica?

The original document dates back to the late 16th century and established the Lord Leycester as we know it today. As one of the most important documents in our collection, it requires careful conservation to ensure it can be preserved for future generations.

During the warmer months, the original is returned to the Warwickshire County Record Office, where it can be stored in carefully controlled conditions, while a high-quality replica takes its place on display.

This small seasonal change helps protect a remarkable piece of Warwick's history while still allowing visitors to discover the story of the Lord Leycester and its foundation by Robert Dudley over 450 years ago.

Next time you visit, see if you can spot the replica on display and imagine the original document that first established our unique community all those centuries ago.

As comes to a close, we'd like to say a heartfelt thank you to every volunteer who helps make the Lord Leycester such ...
07/06/2026

As comes to a close, we'd like to say a heartfelt thank you to every volunteer who helps make the Lord Leycester such a special place.

Throughout this week, we've celebrated just some of the many ways our volunteers contribute to life at the Lord Leycester. From welcoming visitors and supporting events to researching our history, caring for collections, maintaining our gardens, and helping create memorable experiences for guests of all ages, their contribution is felt throughout every part of the site.

Together, our volunteers give thousands of hours each year, helping us preserve over 600 years of history while ensuring the Lord Leycester remains a welcoming, vibrant, and inspiring place for everyone who visits.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated volunteer community and are enormously grateful for the time, knowledge, enthusiasm, and friendship they bring to the Lord Leycester.

Thank you to every one of our volunteers, supporters, students, interns, and community partners for everything you do.

If you've enjoyed following our Volunteers' Week celebrations and would like to become part of our volunteer community, we'd love to hear from you. https://www.lordleycester.com/volunteer/

Happy from all of us at the Lord Leycester.

Corporate volunteering plays a vital role at the Lord Leycester.As a small charity and working veteran almshouse, the su...
07/06/2026

Corporate volunteering plays a vital role at the Lord Leycester.

As a small charity and working veteran almshouse, the support of corporate volunteer groups helps us tackle important maintenance projects, seasonal tasks, site improvements, and the many behind-the-scenes jobs that help keep the Lord Leycester running smoothly.

From assisting in our historic gardens and grounds to supporting practical site projects, corporate volunteers make a real and lasting contribution to the care of one of Warwick's most remarkable historic sites.

It's also a fantastic opportunity for teams to spend time together somewhere a little different, develop new skills, connect with local history, and feel directly involved in supporting their community.

We're looking forward to welcoming volunteers from National Gas Transmission next week, who will be joining us to support work in our gardens and grounds. Their contribution will help us continue caring for these important spaces for residents, visitors, and wildlife alike.

Whether visiting for a one-off volunteering day or exploring longer-term partnerships, corporate volunteering is a meaningful way to give back while helping support the ongoing work of the Lord Leycester and the resident Brethren who call it home.

If your organisation would be interested in getting involved, we'd love to hear from you.

Find out more:
https://www.lordleycester.com/corporate-support/

As part of , we're also celebrating the role that work experience plays at the Lord Leycester.Throughout the year, we w...
07/06/2026

As part of , we're also celebrating the role that work experience plays at the Lord Leycester.

Throughout the year, we welcome students and young people looking to gain practical experience within the heritage sector, offering them the opportunity to explore the many different roles involved in caring for a historic site, welcoming visitors, and supporting a living community.

This week, we were delighted to host Saina for a work experience placement. Already a valued member of our Front of House volunteer team, Saina spent the week gaining experience across a wide range of departments, helping install our newest exhibition, working with archives and collections, supporting marketing activities, undertaking administrative tasks, assisting in the gardens and grounds, and shadowing staff across the organisation.

Placements like these provide a valuable insight into the day-to-day reality of working in heritage, while helping participants develop new skills, confidence, and experience for the future.

A huge thank you to Saina for all her hard work this week. We hope she has enjoyed experiencing the many different aspects of life at the Lord Leycester.

As part of , some of our Front of House volunteers recently joined the Master for a visit to Warwick Castle.While many ...
06/06/2026

As part of , some of our Front of House volunteers recently joined the Master for a visit to Warwick Castle.

While many of our volunteers are already incredibly knowledgeable about the Lord Leycester, opportunities like this allow them to explore other local heritage attractions, learn more about Warwick's rich history, and gain valuable insight into the wider visitor experience across the town.

As one of Warwick's leading historic attractions, the Castle plays an important role in telling the story of our town, and visits like these help strengthen our understanding of the shared history, tourism, and heritage that connect us all.

The visit was also a great opportunity to strengthen links between two of Warwick's most historic attractions. Visitors to the Lord Leycester can receive discounted admission to Warwick Castle, while Warwick Castle ticket holders can enjoy 25% off admission to the Lord Leycester - making it even easier to explore the town's rich heritage.

And with the Lord Leycester located just a short walk away on Warwick's High Street, the two attractions make a perfect day out.

A huge thank you to the Master for organising the visit, and to our volunteers for their continued enthusiasm and commitment to providing the best possible experience for everyone who visits the Lord Leycester.

Visitors often comment on the beauty of the Lord Leycester's gardens, but maintaining these historic spaces takes care a...
06/06/2026

Visitors often comment on the beauty of the Lord Leycester's gardens, but maintaining these historic spaces takes care and attention throughout the year.

Today, for , we're celebrating our wonderful Garden Volunteers, who help care for the Master's Garden, courtyard, and wider grounds.

From planting and pruning to weeding, watering, and supporting seasonal projects, their work helps ensure these much-loved spaces remain beautiful for visitors, residents, and wildlife alike.

We're also incredibly proud of Ayla, who volunteers with us as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award and has become a valued member of our grounds team.

Whether creating colourful displays, supporting biodiversity, or helping preserve one of Warwick's hidden gems, our Garden Volunteers make a huge difference every single week.

Thank you for everything you do.

Scandal at the Lord Leycester! 👀Our new exhibition, *The Brethren of the Lord Leycester*, explores some of the lesser-kn...
05/06/2026

Scandal at the Lord Leycester! 👀

Our new exhibition, *The Brethren of the Lord Leycester*, explores some of the lesser-known stories from over 450 years of life within our historic community — including one particularly controversial appointment.

One of the Lord Leycester's Masters, Timothy White (Master from 1650-1661), found himself having to justify the appointment of a new nurse after concerns were raised about her reputation following a local scandal.

The position of nurse was a respected and sought-after role, and the appointment was not without controversy. Yet despite the criticism, the Brethren themselves strongly supported her, arguing that her abilities and character mattered far more than gossip and reputation.

It's a fascinating glimpse into the lives and attitudes of the people who lived here, and a reminder that the history of the Lord Leycester is not just about buildings and institutions, but about real people, difficult decisions, and occasionally a little drama.

It also highlights an often-overlooked part of Lord Leycester history: the important role women have played within the community over the centuries, even if their stories have not always received the attention they deserve.

This story, and many more, can be discovered in our new temporary exhibition, developed in partnership with the University of Warwick and available to visit until the end of June.

Our thanks to Dr Naomi Pullin, Angus Crawford, and the wider research team for helping bring these fascinating stories to light.



Picture Credit: A Nursery Maid by Paul Sandby, ca. 1805. Yale Centre for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection. B1981.25.2695

Not all volunteering happens in front of visitors.Today, for , we're celebrating our Collections & Research Volunteers,...
05/06/2026

Not all volunteering happens in front of visitors.

Today, for , we're celebrating our Collections & Research Volunteers, whose work behind the scenes helps us uncover, preserve, and share the stories of the Lord Leycester.

From cataloguing objects and researching historic records to supporting exhibitions, interpretation, and future projects, this dedicated team helps deepen our understanding of over 600 years of history and ensures those stories can be shared with future generations.

We're also incredibly grateful to the students and interns who have worked with us over the years, including our recent interns from the University of Birmingham, whose research and enthusiasm have made valuable contributions to our work.

Their efforts may not always be visible to visitors, but they play a vital role in helping us better understand and care for one of Warwick's most remarkable historic sites.

Today is World Environment Day, and we'd like to take a moment to celebrate the beautiful green spaces that make the Lor...
05/06/2026

Today is World Environment Day, and we'd like to take a moment to celebrate the beautiful green spaces that make the Lord Leycester such a special place to visit.

From the award-winning Master's Garden to our historic courtyards and borders, these spaces provide a haven for wildlife, support biodiversity, and offer visitors a peaceful place to relax and connect with nature in the heart of Warwick.

Their continued care would not be possible without the dedication of our head gardener, Sam, and his wonderful team of Garden Volunteers, who generously give their time throughout the year to help maintain and enhance these historic landscapes.

Whether planting, pruning, weeding, watering, or supporting seasonal projects, their work helps ensure that the gardens can be enjoyed by residents, visitors, and wildlife alike.

As we mark World Environment Day, we'd like to thank all of our volunteers, staff, and supporters who help us care for these remarkable spaces and preserve them for future generations.

🌿 Happy World Environment Day from all of us at the Lord Leycester.

Address

60 High Street
Warwick
CV344BH

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

01926 491422

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