Warwickshire’s refill shops, a green podcast and Shakespeare!
Warwickshire’s greener side is best explored through the places and people shaping it: refill shops, communities responding to climate change, and landscapes that make the county special.
From Warwick’s historic streets to the busy centre of Stratford-upon-Avon, sustainable living is not just an abstract idea. It is about where we shop, how we travel and how we care for the places we share.
How Zero’s four refill stores work
Zero’s refill shops make it easier to buy everyday goods without taking home unnecessary packaging. Find stores in Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon, Leamington Spa and Napton-on-the-Hill.
In most refill shops, you bring clean, dry jars, bottles or tubs from home. Staff weigh empty containers first, so its weight can be deducted from the price.
Refill shopping lets you choose a quantity that suits your household. You might buy a small amount of an unfamiliar product to try it, or top up a regular staple rather than purchasing a full new container. This flexibility can be useful for reducing food waste, particularly when you are buying ingredients you do not use every week.
Choose unscented items for pregnancy/nursing or near babies/pets (and xylitol-free dental care if you live with animal friends). If buying plants, read up on pet-friendly gardens (and how to stop birds flying into windows).
Sustainable Warwickshire podcast
Sustainable Warwickshire podcast brings climate change and environmental topics closer to home. National climate stories can feel enormous and difficult to act on, but local conversations can show how these issues affect the places people know and what communities are doing in response:
- How can households reduce waste without spending more?
- How are towns and villages responding to hot summers or heavier rainfall?
- What makes walking, cycling and public transport easier?
- How can local businesses reduce packaging and energy use?
- What can residents do to protect rivers, wetlands and green spaces?
The podcast can also connect listeners with local knowledge. A conversation with a refill shop owner, community organiser, grower or conservation volunteer can offer practical ideas. Listeners might discover a nearby project, learn how a local business works or hear about a small change they can try at home.
Warwickshire Repair Cafés: fix it or share skills
Warwickshire repair cafés bring people together to mend everyday items rather than throw them away. Volunteers may help with repairs to clothing, small household goods, bicycles, toys or electrical items, depending on the event and their skills. Visitors can often watch, learn and lend a hand.
Repair cafés are as much about sharing knowledge as fixing things. Bring the item you would like repaired, along with any relevant parts or accessories. For electrical goods, include the charger or power cable if appropriate. Volunteers will usually assess whether a repair is safe and practical.
Read more on how to start a repair café!
Places to enjoy nature in Warwickshire
Warwickshire offers plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors, from purpose-built nature reserves to lakeside walks and country parks.
- Brandon Marsh is a nature reserve near Coventry, with wetlands, pools, woodland and grassland. Its varied habitats make it a rewarding place for birdwatching and wildlife spotting throughout the year.
- Draycote Water is a large reservoir near Rugby, popular with walkers, cyclists and people who enjoy waterside views. The surrounding paths provide a chance to see open water, grassland and wildlife.
- Ryton Pools Country Park offers woodland, pools, open spaces and walking routes near Coventry. It is a useful place for a family outing, a short nature walk or a longer visit to explore different parts of the park.
If out walking, follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe (learn how to upright an overturned sheep). Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms, cliffs and toxic plants/trees.
Stratford-upon-Avon: Discover William Shakespeare’s birthplace
Stratford-upon-Avon is one of England’s most famous historic towns, due to being the birthplace of playwright William Shakespeare. It does suffer slightly from overtourism (after London, it’s the most visited place in England).
Located on the banks of the River Avon, the town still retains its ancient timber-framed black-and-white buildings. And also enjoys charming streets and riverside settings, retained to look like they did hundreds of years ago.
Plantarium Café is a sweet little vegan eaterie, if you’re living or visiting Stratford-upon-Avon. Nestled in a peaceful courtyard, enjoy a vegan BLT or ‘cheeze’ omelette with an oat latte!
Who was William Shakespeare?
The Illustrated William Shakespeare
Shakespeare is still thought of as England’s greatest living playwright (there is debate on whether he wrote some plays, but experts says that he likely did).
Born into a wealthy family in 1564, he was also a property developer. And very left-leaning with his politics. If he was alive today, he likely would be an MP. He stood up for the downtrodden in society, and was very vocal about it too.
Shakespeare has no direct ancestors, as all of his children died without having children themselves. His wife Anne Hathaway had a family cottage just outside the town in the village of Shottery. Hall’s Croft is another histric property, which was owned by Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her husband, Dr John Hall.
Then of course there is the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, located besides the River Avon and home to many performances of his plays. Some well-known actors who have performed here include:
- Judi Dench
- Helen Mirren
- Laurence Olivier
- Daniel Day-Lewis
- Alan Rickman
Protecting Warwickshire’s green future
Warwickshire is known for its historic towns, peaceful villages and rolling countryside, but its natural riches are just as remarkable. Ancient woodlands, rivers, wetlands, meadows, hedgerows and gardens provide vital homes for wildlife and offer people space to relax, explore and reconnect with nature.
From the waterways and green spaces around Warwick to the countryside near Stratford-upon-Avon, Leamington Spa and Napton-on-the-Hill, there are many ways to enjoy and protect the county. Sustainable living is not about being perfect. It is about making thoughtful choices that suit everyday life.
