Town and district (pop., 2001: 125,962), administrative and historic county of Warwickshire , central England.
Known for its historic castle, it grew up at a crossing place on the River Avon and was fortified с 915. By 1086 it was a royal borough, and William I ordered the castle to be enlarged. The present-day castle dates mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries. With its virtually intact structure and its fine collections of paintings and armour, the castle has become a major tourist attraction. The town, which grew around the castle, is a market centre and has light industry.