Award-winning guided town tours and self-guided trails - the gateway to Rugby's heritage
Things to do
Rugby Visitor Centre is the gateway to exploring the birthplace of the game and the wider stories that have shaped the historic market town of Rugby. Through Rugby’s award-winning guided walking tours and self-guided heritage trails available from the Centre, visitors can spend time in Rugby town centre discovering the town’s local attractions, heritage and independent businesses along the way.
Guided Walking Tours
Our volunteer Rugby Town Guides take residents and visitors on a journey of discovery through the town centre, revealing fascinating facts about the past of the borough. Rugby Town Guides are experts in the history and heritage of the town and love to share their unique knowledge with visitors from around the world.
The free town tours start at Rugby Visitor Centre and visit the Webb Ellis Football Museum, the Webb Ellis Statue and The Queen’s Gates at Rugby School’s The Close. Other stops include Regent Street, High Street, the Rupert Brooke Statue, Sir Frank Whittle’s Monument and St. Andrew’s Church. The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Regular tours take place from April to mid-October. Public Art, Sporting Heritage, Literary Heritage and bespoke tours are also available.
Things to do
Join our guides on a brand-new walking tour of Bilton, exploring the landmarks and history within the borough of Rugby. Visitors are asked to meet guides by St. Mark’s Church car park in Bilton before the tour commences.
Tour attendees are kindly asked not to use the Church’s car park, as this may be needed for events and ceremonies. If you are travelling by car, on-street parking spaces can be found opposite the Co-operative store by the traffic lights. If you are travelling via public transport a regular bus service (number 4) is available from Rugby Town Centre.
Tours dates will be published on this page as they are confirmed.
Self-guided Trails
Rugby’s collection of digital self-guided trails provide opportunities for visitors to discover the town year-round at their own pace. Beyond its sporting connections, Rugby’s trails showcase the town’s wider contribution to literature, science and engineering.
The Pathway of Fame self-guided digital walking tour celebrates the sporting legends and defining moments associated with the birthplace of rugby, while the self-guided digital Blue Plaques Trail highlights the people, buildings and events that have shaped Rugby’s history. Together, these trails create compelling reasons for visitors to explore and uncover hidden gems across the town centre.
The Pathway of Fame is a unique digital guide leading visitors around the town of Rugby. It celebrates the history of the game and commemorates some of its most notable players and events.
Across the UK, blue plaques mark places that have historical importance or were relevant to the lives of famous people.
From the jet engine to Alice in Wonderland, Rugby's influence on the world stretches far beyond the sport which bears its name.
Our visitor team lives, works and plays here — ask anything from "best Sunday roast" to "where can I watch the game?" and we'll point you in the right direction.