Tyla Fergusson-Platt takes you on a journey to an often overlooked historical attraction in Warwick, Guys Cliffe House.

Everybody knows Warwick for its quaint Tudor houses and majestic medieval castle, but hidden on the outskirts of the town lies a beautiful 18th century mansion with a dark past. Guys Cliffe House sits upon a unique geographical landscape, shadowed by natural cliffs that date from the Triassic period (just after the death of the dinosaurs) and overlooking a serene flowing river.

It has an eclectic history, from the infamous Aleister Crowley summoning the devil to the legendary residence of Guy of Warwick, who in Saxon Britain had comparable status to that of King Arthur.

Aleister Crowley

Aleister Crowley – Summoning the devil at Guys Cliffe House

Aleister Crowley is world renowned for dark magic and summoning strange spirits. The occultist travelled from New York to Italy showcasing his bizarre talents. Crowley even began his own religious commune in Sicily, that many described as a cult. He was in fact born down the road from Guys Cliffe, at Clarendon Square in Leamington Spa in 1875. Locals of the town will often whisper that Crowley summoned dark spirits at the house, rumoured to be the devil.

He certainly had a fondness for the area, often speaking of his love of Guys Cliffe and the surrounding natural beauty. He especially liked weirs and there are few better than the one that flows towards Guys Cliffe, next to the Saxon Mill. Today you can even go on overnight ghost hunts within the house grounds. Some people have said that they have seen Crowley’s ghost during these stays, still lurking in the shadows.

Guys Cliffe – A Place of Deep Religious Sanctuary

Religion runs deep at Guys Cliffe. It is said that a chapel has existed on the site as far back as 700AD and any visitors who bare witness to the surroundings can see why. The legendary figure Guy of Warwick himself became a religious hermit at the site, living in the natural cavities of the cliff face. Guys Cliffe was so famed for its hermitage that Henry V visited and proclaimed, having fallen in love with the beauty of the place, to build a chantry there. Henry VI later installed two stationed priests at the chantry.

Leland, a writer from the 1500’s wrote “It is the abode of pleasure, a place meet for the muses: there are natural cavities in the rocks, shady groves, clear and crystal streams, flowery meadows, mossy caves, a gentle murmuring river running among the rocks: and to crown all, solitude and quiet, friendly in so high a degree to the muses.”

The St Mary Magdalene chapel is still used for ceremony to this day. The Stonemasons hold regular meetings within its walls. I once snuck into the house when I was a teenager with my friend and as we approached the gates a stream of expensive cars entered the premises, a stonemasons meeting was taking place that day. The house has always fascinated me. It seems to attract mysterious energies and people that keeps you coming back to find out more of its past.

Guy of Warwick

The Legend of Guy of Warwick and the demise of his wife

Guy, Earl of Warwick is a legendary figure in the town of Warwick. In Saxon times he had a mythical status comparable to that of King Arthur. He lived a life full of adventure and intrigue, embarking on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to overcome his violent past. He later returned to Guys Cliffe as a hermit and lived in one of the natural caves within the cliff face. Guy seeked a quiet life and remained hidden from his wife Felicity.

The walk besides the cliff face is known as ‘Felicity’s walk’. It derives its name from the time Guy of Warwick was on pilgrimage in the Holy Lands and his wife Felicity was so sick with worry that she would walk up and down this path seeking respite. He would seek each morning alms from the castle and unbeknownst to Felicity she gave her husband food to eat.

He had aged considerably since he left on pilgrimage and he couldn’t bring himself to reveal himself to her. Guy eventually nearing death sent word to the castle for Felicity to see him. She rushed to Guys Cliffe and as she reached him Guy of Warwick died in her arms. Felicity, unable to deal with the death of her husband is said to have thrown herself off the cliff face at the end of ‘Felicity’s walk’.

The Saxon Mill Walk for a riverside view of Guys Cliffe

If you are unable to attend during the Heritage open day on the 7th and 8th September, the best way to view the house is along the Saxon Mill riverside walk. At the Saxon Mill pub there is a convenient car park for use while you complete the walk. A footpath skirts along the side of the pub and leads to the bridge that crosses Crowley’s favourite weir. At this point there are truly stunning views of the river and countryside of Warwickshire, that is difficult to match elsewhere.

As you walk and admire the views its hard not to elicit the works of Tolkien in your mind. Tolkien said himself that The Shire was based on “more or less a Warwickshire village of about the period of [Queen Victoria’s] Diamond Jubilee”. The woodland around Warwick Castle is also said to have inspired the author for the elven woods in The Lord of the Rings.

You continue past the bridge over the weir to a very old cobbled path that leads to the Old Milverton fields. In the summer the fields are a rich golden yellow from the rapeseed grown here which invokes an oasis paradise with the tranquil river lazily flowing around it. Birds of prey occasionally fly high up overhead and electric blue dragonfly’s are common sights along the walk. The path then ventures further towards Guys Cliffe House.

The house juts out from the treetops on the right hand side of the river. Black Crows often gather, atmospherically, on the remaining rooftops of the 18th century manor house. A path through the overgrowth leads to a small opening besides the river that is often used as an entry point for river swimming. The point that the path leads too is an area that invokes a feeling of deep contemplation. Here you can take in the breathtaking view of the looming Guys Cliffe.

Directions to Guys Cliffe House

Directions: To get to Guys Cliffe it is best to follow directions to the Saxon Mill pub, which is directly next to the house. The main entrance for access during the heritage open day is via the main road next to the Saxon Mill car park.

Guys Cliffe is open to visitors on the 7th/8th September as part of Heritage Open Days. Visiting hours are between 10am – 4pm. It is the only time in the year the house is open to the public.