Rugby School is one of the most recognisable places in the town, but there are parts of its historic grounds that many local people may never have had the chance to explore.
As part of Heritage Open Days 2026, visitors can join a special guided tour of the Rugby School gardens on Tuesday 15th September.
Running from 10.30am to 12pm, the free 90-minute tour takes visitors through garden areas that are not usually open to the public.
For anyone interested in gardens, local history or simply discovering another side of one of Rugby’s best-known landmarks, this is a lovely opportunity.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday 15th September 2026
Time: 10.30am to 12pm
Venue: Rugby School
Meeting point: Rugby School Shop, Barby Road
Cost: Free
Booking: Essential
The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and forms part of Rugby’s wider Heritage Open Days programme.
Discover a different side of Rugby School
Rugby School has been part of the town for centuries, yet much of its campus naturally sits behind the familiar buildings and walls that people pass every day.
This guided walk offers the chance to step inside and explore some of the School’s garden spaces with someone who can help explain what you are looking at along the way.
It is a quieter way to discover the site than a general school tour, with the focus firmly on the gardens and outdoor areas.
Gardens that are not normally open
Part of the appeal of Heritage Open Days is getting access to places that are usually difficult to see.
This tour includes areas of the Rugby School gardens that are not normally open to the general public.
That makes it particularly interesting for people who already know Rugby well but have never ventured much further than the streets surrounding the School.
You may have walked past countless times without realising what sits on the other side.
A little local history along the way
Rugby School was founded in 1567 and has occupied an important place in the town ever since.
Its historic campus includes some of Rugby’s most familiar architecture and, of course, The Close, where the game of rugby football famously developed.
The Gardens Tour offers a different perspective on that heritage by concentrating on the landscape around the buildings rather than the buildings themselves.
How to book
The Rugby School Gardens Tour is free, but places must be reserved in advance.
Bookings for Rugby Heritage Open Days can be made through the official Rugby visitor website:
Book online:
https://www.therugbytown.co.uk/HODs
You can also book through Rugby Visitor Centre:
Telephone: 01788 533217
Places on some Heritage Open Days tours are limited, so booking early is recommended.
Where do you meet?
Visitors should meet at:
Rugby School Shop
Barby Road
Rugby
The wider Rugby School address is:
Rugby School
Lawrence Sheriff Street
Rugby
Warwickshire
CV22 5EH
It is worth arriving a few minutes before the 10.30am start so the group is ready to leave together.
Discover more local events
Heritage Open Days is a brilliant reminder that there are interesting places all around us that we may pass every week without ever getting the chance to explore properly.
From historic schools and churches to guided walks, markets and community events, we enjoy sharing some of the local dates that give our towns and villages their character.
Keep an eye on the Campbells community events pages for more local events throughout the year.
