Frequently Asked Questions

 

When are you open?

We are open Tuesday-Sunday, as well as Bank Holiday Mondays.

British Summer Time: 10:00-17:00
Greenwich Mean Time: 10:00-16:00

Last entry is one hour before closing.

We are closed 23-26 December.

 

Do I have to pre-book?

No. General admission tickets can be purchased on the door, as can tickets for our regular tours running throughout the week, subject to availability.

 

When is last entry?

Last entry is one hour before closing:

British Summer Time: 16:00
Greenwich Mean Time: 15:00

We are strict about last entry because it affects site safety, closing procedures and staff working hours.

 

Where can I park?

Parking in Warwick town centre can be limited, particularly at busy times, so we recommend allowing extra time.

Nearby car parks include West Gate Car Park, Warwick Racecourse Car Park and St Mary’s Area Lands. Barrack Street Car Park (multi-storey) is free on Sundays.

Blue Badge holders can park in Brook Street free of charge.

 

How long does it take to go around the site?

How long is a piece of string!

Most visitors spend around 1-2 hours exploring the Lord Leycester, depending on how much they choose to read, discover and interact with along the way. Our guided tours are kept to under 1½ hours, but there is always more to explore.

If you’re planning to experience everything and stop for lunch in the café, you can easily spend much longer here. Our routes are flexible, so you can explore at whatever pace suits your day.

 

How accessible is the Lord Leycester?

Almost all of our visitor spaces are wheelchair accessible, with lifts and ramps providing access to most areas.

Due to fire safety requirements, we cannot permit motorised mobility scooters on site.

For detailed information about access and facilities, please visit our Accessibility & Facilities page.

 

Is the Lord Leycester suitable for families?

Yes! The Lord Leycester is family friendly, with seasonal and year-round activities for children to enjoy, including costumes, models, colouring and trails.

To find out what children’s activities are currently available, please contact jodie.mccarthy@lordleycester.com.

 

Is there a café on site?

Yes. Our onsite café is in our Great Hall, and it is open every day that the Lord Leycester is open.

It serves a range of hot food, sandwiches, pastries, homemade cakes and desserts. Please note that last orders are one hour before the Lord Leycester closes.

 

Can I bring my dog?

Service dogs are welcome throughout the Lord Leycester.

Other dogs are permitted provided they are carried while visiting the historic site, including the gardens. Dogs are also welcome in our Café and Gift Shop.

 

Can I take photographs or film during my visit?

Absolutely! We encourage photography during your visit, and feel free to tag us in anything you post.

If you would like us to share your photographs on our social media channels, send them to us via Facebook or Instagram, or email jessica.hicks@lordleycester.com.

For professional or commercial filming, please see our Filming page.

 

Can I pay just to enter the gardens?

No. Access to the gardens is included as part of admission to the Lord Leycester, so you will need a general admission ticket to visit them.

 

Do you offer guided tours?

Yes. We have three weekly tours led by the Brethren, at 11:00 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, for an additional £4 with general admission.

We also offer pre-booked group tours for groups of more than 10 people at £16 per person, including general admission.

For something extra special, private after-hours tours are available for £25 per person, or £35 per person including a drinks reception with the Master in his private home, subject to availability.

To enquire about group or after-hours tours, please contact jessica.hicks@lordleycester.com.

 

Do you take donations?

Yes. As a charity, donations play an important part in supporting the Lord Leycester and our work.

You can make a donation through our Donate page or donate by cash or card at our Ticket Office.

There are also several other ways to support us:

Become a Friend – visit our Friends page to support the Lord Leycester through membership.

Leave your mark – become part of our Pathway of Support by dedicating a paver in the Master’s Garden.

For further information about supporting the Lord Leycester, please contact campaign@lordleycester.com.

 

Do you hire out spaces for events?

Yes! We have a number of historic spaces available for private events, from intimate dinners to larger celebrations.

For details, please visit our Event Hire page.

Please note that catering for venue hire is provided exclusively by our in-house catering team.

 

Can I get married at the Lord Leycester?

The Lord Leycester is not licensed to conduct legal wedding ceremonies. However, we can host wedding blessings, wedding breakfasts and receptions in our historic spaces.

For more information, please visit our Weddings page.

 

Are you open to filming?

Yes. The Lord Leycester is a film-friendly location and welcomes enquiries from film, television and other productions.

Please visit our Filming page for more information.

 

Have you appeared in anything I might have seen?

Quite possibly!

The Lord Leycester has appeared in numerous film and television productions, including Tom Jones (1963), Pride and Prejudice (1995), The Virgin Queen (2005), Doctor Who (2007), A Christmas Carol (2019) and Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators (2019-present).

You can discover more on our Filming page.

 

How can I apply to volunteer?

You can find information and apply through our Volunteer page, or contact our Activities & Volunteer Manager directly at jodie.mccarthy@lordleycester.com.

 

Can veterans be involved with the Lord Leycester?

Absolutely! As a veterans’ charity centred on community, we love getting involved with veteran events and welcoming veterans to the Lord Leycester.

We offer discounts for veterans on admission and in our Gift Shop.

We also host Stitching Stories on the first Wednesday of every month, a regular veterans’ event led by one of the Brethren. Visit our Stitching Stories page for more information.

If you are part of a veterans’ group or organisation and would like to discuss a visit, event or other opportunity, please contact master@lordleycester.com.

 

Can I invite the Lord Leycester and Brethren to take part in an event?

Yes. We welcome enquiries about opportunities involving the Brethren, including invitations to events and days out, interviews, media appearances and other activities.

Participation is entirely at the discretion of individual Brethren and subject to their availability, so we cannot guarantee that they will be able to accept every invitation.

To discuss an opportunity with us, please contact the Master at master@lordleycester.com.

 

Can I research the history of the Lord Leycester or its collections?

Yes. We welcome enquiries from researchers and those wishing to view our collections, although access is managed on a case-by-case basis.

If you would like to discuss a particular research project or enquiry, please contact jessica.hicks@lordleycester.com.

 

When did you stop being a hospital?

We actually are still a hospital!

When the Lord Leycester was founded, hospital meant a place of hospitality rather than a medical facility. Since its foundation in 1571, our hospital has been an almshouse for ex-servicemen and women, and we continue that charitable purpose today.

 

How do you become a Brother?

We are not currently accepting applications for new Brethren. However, if you are interested in learning more about eligibility or would like to be placed on a waiting list, please contact master@lordleycester.com.

 

Do people still live at the Lord Leycester?

Yes! The Lord Leycester is not only a historic visitor attraction, but a living almshouse and home to our community of Brethren, who are ex-servicemen and women with their families. The Master and his family also live on site. So please remember that some areas of the Lord Leycester are private residences and are not open to visitors.

 

Can I visit when there is a private event taking place?

Usually, yes, although this depends on the nature and location of the event.

Any partial or full site closures will be announced on our social media channels. If you’re making a special journey and would like to check whether any areas will be closed during your visit, please contact us directly.