• Warwick - In 1001, it was known as Waerinc Wicum but by Domesday had been shortened to Warvic. It is from the Old English wering (weir [on the Avon]) and wic (inlet). Hence, "dwellings by the weir".

According to the Anglo Saxon Chronicle, Warwick was founded on the banks of the River Avon in the year 914 AD when Anglo Saxon Ethelfleda Lady of the Mercians, sister of king Edward the Elder of Wessex built a burh or fortified dwelling to overwhelm the Danish (Vikings) who had settled in what had been the old Merian kingdom. She was the widow of Alderman Aethelred her father, king Alfred's ally. This burh was the early origins of Warwick Castle.

In 1050 the Danes (related to the Vikings) invaded Mercia and burned down much of Warwick including the nunnery (which stood on the site of the present day St Nicholas Church). Its fortifications led Warwick to become the administrative centre of the new shire in the united English kingdom, and the shire administered from Warwick became known as Warwickshire.

In medieval times, Warwick remained under the control of various Earls of Warwick, mostly of the Beauchamp family, and became a walled town. Today the only remains of the town walls are the east and west gatehouses. The eastern gatehouse now serves as part of the King's High School, a sister institution to Warwick School. Warwick was not incorporated as a Borough until 1545.

During the English Civil War the town and castle were garrisoned for Parliament. The garrison, under a Sir Edward Peyto, withstanding a two week siege by the Royalists. Later musters from 1644 to 1646 record a garrison of up to 350 men under the command of Colonel William Purefoy and Major John Bridges. The middle of the 17th century also saw the founding of Castle Hill Baptist Church, one of the oldest Baptist churches in the world.

In 1694 a great fire destroyed much of the medieval town and as a result most of the buildings in the town centre are of 17th and 18th century origin, although a number of older medieval timber framed buildings survive, especially around the edges of the town centre.

The fire burnt down much of the medieval church of St Mary; both the chancel and the Beauchamp Chapel, however, survived, the latter having been built between 1443 and 1464 according to the wishes of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick (who had died in Rouen in 1439). A full size reclining copper gilt effigy of the Earl lies upon his Purbeck marble tomb - a fine piece of medieval metalwork cast in 1459.

Warwick hosts annual festivals ranging from the Spoken Word to Classical and Contemporary Music to a Folk Festival and a Victorian Evening, held in late November or early December. St. Mary's Church hosts a series of Early Music concerts, and the Bridge House Theatre hosts the Music-in-Round concerts. Warwick Chamber of Trade helps to promote the town for visitors, residents and businesses. The town is also famous for Warwick Castle, the construction of which began in 1068. The town centre is also known for its historic architecture and contains a mixture of Tudor and 17th-century buildings. In recent years several high-profile national and international companies have set-up large office complexes in and around Warwick, notably National Grid plc and IBM.

Warwick is also known for Warwick Racecourse, near the west gate of the medieval town which hosts several televised horse racing meetings a year. Within the racecourse is a small golfcourse. Warwick Hospital, Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital and St Michael's Hospital (a psychiatric that superseded Central Hospital, Hatton) are situated within the town.

Warwick is twinned with Saumur in France and Verden, Germany. Warwick was twinned with Saumur in 1976. Verden, already the twin town of Saumur, became Warwick's German partner in 1989. Havelberg, in the former East Germany was adopted by Verden on re-unification, and was welcomed as a friendship town by Warwick and Saumur. As part of Warwick District, the town participates in One World Link (OWL), a friendship link with Bo in Sierra Leone.