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Rugby's Attractions

Discover Rugby's attractions from its three theatres to its award winning green spaces and very own Art Gallery and Museum.

Modern curved brick and glass building of Rugby Art Gallery, Museum and Library
Child holding a small telescope up to their eye inside the light filled interior of the art gallery and library

Rugby Art Gallery & Museum

Discover, create, learn, enjoy

With free admission, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum is a vibrant cultural destination at the heart of Rugby, where history, creativity and community come together.

Whether you’re visiting with family, exploring independently, or taking part in an event, there’s always something new to experience.

The gallery spaces showcase a dynamic array of art, alongside works from local artists and makers. Regularly changing exhibitions, bring Rugby’s rich history to life and offer something different to discover. Families and schools can enjoy workshops and activities, group learning sessions and family-friendly events throughout the year.

 

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Two musicians performing live on a darkened stage lit with green light

BENN Hall

Live from Rugby

The BENN Hall is Rugby’s home for live events, entertainment and performances. You can expect an exciting mix of live tribute acts, concerts, theatre productions, comedy nights, family-friendly performances and community events.

More than just a performance space, the BENN Hall is a versatile venue available for hire and is ideal for private celebrations, corporate events, community gatherings and special occasions.

Tickets for events can be booked easily online or via the box office.

Book tickets
Frontage of the Rugby Theatre, a white building with Rugby Theatre signage

Theatres

Enjoy performances

Rugby’s theatres are a vibrant blend of community passion and professional performance, offering a rich cultural experience in the heart of Warwickshire.

With venues like Rugby Theatre and the Macready Theatre, Rugby hosts everything from grassroots productions and youth projects to touring shows and contemporary performances.

As one of the Midland’s leading amateur theatres, Rugby Theatre brings together a thriving volunteer community to stage an ambitious programme of live entertainment throughout the year, while the Macready Theatre delivers a curated mix of professional productions, from theatre and dance to spoken word and comedy in an intimate setting.

Wire mesh figure sculpture in a park bed of autumn heather and flowers

Open Spaces

Get outdoors

Discover a greener side of Rugby, where beautifully maintained parks, natural reserves and open landscapes offer space to relax, explore and connect with nature.

From award-winning town centre gardens to tranquil woodland walks, Rugby’s parks and open spaces provide something for everyone.

Rugby is home to a diverse network of parks, gardens and nature areas, each with its own character and charm. Across the borough, there are over 70 parks and open spaces to explore, offering everything from play areas and sports facilities to quiet places for reflection.

Explore open spaces
Black cast-iron direction signpost with St Andrews Church Gardens in the background, the honeycomb sculpture is visible and the trees are in autumn colours. The directional sign post is directing you to the left towards the town centre.

Rugby Library

Read, study and learn

Rugby Library is a welcoming space in the heart of the town where you can read, study, learn new skills and connect with your community.

Alongside a wide range of books, audiobooks and reading collections, Rugby Library provides study space, free Wi-Fi, and public computers with printing and scanning. There are also self-service machines for quick borrowing, as well as quieter areas to read and unwind.

The library is a hub for creativity and digital learning. Regular events and workshops support all ages, from early years storytelling sessions to coding clubs, creative groups and social activities for adults. Young people can explore the Let’s Make space, to learn about 3D printing, coding and digital design.

Open 7 days a week

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Art at the Alex

Local art

Art at the Alex is a small, quirky, independent, artist-owned, arts centre in a former Victorian Pub at the edge of the town centre. ‘The Alex’ showcases local artists and makers, hosts impressive monthly exhibitions, varied demonstrations, special events and workshops.

The emphasis of the Alex is on local art, so everything on show has a local connection, and you will always find local artists on site, willing to talk about work on show, or working on their own new creations. This is especially true of the five studio artists with workshop spaces here: owners Chris Pegler (spinner/weaver/dyer) and Steve Davies (printmaker), Belinda Edwards (ceramicist), Jenny Ball (jeweler), and John Thompson (photographer.)

With a comfortable licensed cafe, art reference library and private garden this is a popular meeting place, that always offers something a bit different to see and is a great place to relax, surrounded by art.

Art at the Alex is open Thursday -Saturday 11:00 -16:00 with extra openings for events such as Open Studios, Heritage Open Days, Rugby Literary Festival,  and independent local music on First Thursdays (18:00-21:00). Please note that Art at the Alex are closed in August and late December to mid-February.

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The Webb Ellis Rugby Museum

The History of the Sport

The Webb Ellis Rugby Museum houses a fascinating collection of items which catalogue the history of the sport of Rugby.

The collection is housed in the original building where William and James Gilbert boot and shoe makers were located. The artefacts are displayed in four themed areas, which include the origins, the players, the game and the ball. Visitors can discover the diverse history of the game from its beginnings including the exploits of Rugby school boy William Webb Ellis and his ‘fine disregard for the rules of the game’, to the increasingly technical production methods of the rugby ball.

Every object has its own story, head down to the museum to explore the hidden history of each one!

 

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an archway to a garden with a red brick building in the background.

The Percival Guildhouse

Lifelong learning

The Percival Guildhouse is a vibrant hub for culture, connection and creativity in the heart of Rugby. With over 100 years of history, The Percival Guildhouse is a welcoming space where adults from all walks of life can come together to discover new interests, nurture wellbeing and enjoy meaningful experiences.

Their expert-led courses range from the creative arts and languages to yoga and wellness, all designed for enjoyment and personal growth rather than exams or qualifications.

Dive into adult learning and expand your world!

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St Andrews Church

Serving the town

More than a place of Christian worship, St Andrews Church is a cultural centre and pillar of the Rugby town community. The church are committed to offering a wide range of cultural experiences for the whole family. Events are regularly hosted in the space, from musical and creative events to family friendly gatherings. The Thirteen Bells Cafe is a welcoming, community space which offers affordable meals and warm drinks.

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Get in touch

Stuck for ideas?
Drop us a line.

Our visitor team lives, works and plays here — ask us anything about places to eat, things to do or what's on, and we'll point you in the right direction.

Email
[email protected]
Call
01788 533 217
Visit
Little Elborow St, Rugby, CV21 3BZ
Opening times
Tue–Fri 10am–5pm
Sat 10am–4pm
Sun & Mon closed

Credits

Images courtesy of Visit Warwickshire, helping bring the county's stories to life. Explore itineraries and inspiration for things to do at visit.warwickshire.gov.uk.