Warwickshire Tourist Guide - Articles

Although there is no definitive proof, Atherstone is considered to be a source of the phrase "as mad as a hatter". This phrase originated from the 18th century when mercury salts were used in used in the making of felt hats. Mercury is so toxic that it caused a whole series of diseases, which caused the workers to tremble and twitch as if demented. There is still no established safe level of exposure to mercury and it has recently been banned by the EU for use in barometers (thus does Brussels end another - 350 year old - British tradition).

Although it was made popular by Lewis Carroll (see also, Rugby where Carroll was at school) in Alice in Wonderland (1865) other literary use of the term apparently pre-dates this by at least 20 years.

Atherstone is currently reinventing itself as a book town, along the lines of Hay-on-Wye (according to my Grandmother, who was a Pugh, there was time when every shop on the 'Pavement' in Hay was owned by a Pugh - Pugh the Book, Pugh the Cats Whisker, Pugh the knock-twice-and-ask-for-Pugh, etc). Back in Atherstone, under the Atherstone Booktown Intitiative, Throckmorton's, The Atherstone Bookshop and The St. Giles' Hospice Bookshop recently opened for business. Satisfying the demands of both body and soul, The Sit-A-While Bookshop also serves 'Fair Trade' coffee, tea and cakes. More shops are due to open over the next few months. In addition, established local businesses are also encouraging bookworms by stocking books for sale: The Red Lion Hotel has over 1,000 in its King's Library lounge and the Chapel House Hotel & Restaurant offers a selection of books on wines and spirits.

In keeping with its new image, if you want to go to any of the Bistro, Hotel, Indian, Pub Food and Traditional Restaurants in Atherstone, you may have to book.

Bistros
Bentley's Restaurant
Bentley Common, Bentley, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 2HL
Tel: 01827 720479

Lakeside Bistro
Mill Lane, Sheepy Parva, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 3RL
Tel: 01827 881000

Hotels with Restaurants
Chapel House Hotel & Restaurant
Friar's Gate, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 1EY
Tel: +44(0)1827 718949

Indian
Alom Tandoori Restaurant
148, Long St, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 1AF
Tel: 01827 720988

Pub Food
The Black Horse
44, Main Rd, Sheepy Magna, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 3QR
Tel: 01827 880555

The Bull Inn
11, Wharf Cottages, Watling St, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 2EH
Tel: 01827 712323

Blue Lion Inn
8, Church Rd, Witherley, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 3NA
Tel: 01827 716964

The Gate Inn
22, Main Rd, Ratcliffe Culey, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 3NY
Tel: 01827 713242

Traditional
Bird In Hand
Church Lane, Austrey, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 3EE
Tel: 01827 830260

Blue Boar Inn
Watling St, Mancetter, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 1NE
Tel: 01827 716166

The Old Bakery
94, Long St, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 1AP
Tel: 01827 720050






Restaurants in Atherstone