WARWICKSHIRE was known as a prized royal hunting ground and as we drove out towards the four star-rated Ettington Park Hotel, our base for the weekend, we discovered why.

It was just as well that we had noticed the "roving deer" warning signs along the road and travelled slowly because, all of a sudden, out of the darkness, a young fawn dashed out in front of the car.

The unexpected rural encounter set the scene nicely for our arrival at the secluded Ettington Park Hotel 10 minutes later. Set in 40 acres of attractive parkland, its centrepiece is a 12th century church and a 17th century manor house, owned by one of Warwickshire's oldest families, the Shirleys.

A history of the hotel outlines the story of the building and the various family members who lived in the residence and provides a colourful account of its various ghostly inhabitants – Ettington Park is described by the AA as the most haunted hotel in the country.

All the facilities have been updated to provide guests with a spa and pool plus a variety of stylish bedrooms and suites.

Extra little touches also made our stay particularly special – the luxurious bath robe in the bedroom, the rows of wellington boots and push bikes in the conservatory which could be borrowed, the attentive staff and, of course, the excellent food.

It has to be said that as tourists we were also spoiled for choice.

The hotel is about six miles outside Stratford-upon-Avon so, in addition, we had all the historical delights of that town at our disposal.

I instantly warmed to the delights of Stratford.

The river provides an appealing focal point and offers regular boat trips up and down the Avon.

A deeper investigation of the town's centre soon revealed numerous historical buildings, many dating back to the Elizabethan era, which give Stratford, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, a timeless appeal.

There are six residences in and around the Stratford area linked with Shakespeare's life. These include the Shakespeare Centre, the Bard's birthplace, Nash's House (built on the site of New Place, Shakespeare's home for the last 18 years of his life) and Hall's Croft, the former home of Shakespeare's eldest daughter, which are all situated in the town centre.

A more hands-on, family-friendly experience, is offered by Mary Arden's farm on the outskirts of Stratford, where children get the chance to interact with farmyard animals, plus Anne Hathaway's cottage, the home of Shakespeare's wife.

Also worth a visit is The Falstaff Experience. Named after one of Shakespeare's characters, John Falstaff, and based in an old part of the town, this attraction is an atmospheric museum with an eclectic collection of curios from the Tudor period.

The displays are divided into various themes and give an interesting flavour of the era. The museum also specialises in ghost tours in the evening and, according to the owners, who actually live on the premises, it houses a few restless spirits from times past.

In contrast to the town's historical attractions, Stratford Butterfly Farm (positioned close to the river), offers visitors the chance to walk through a hot house full of exotic plants and butterflies. I found it quite fascinating to get so close to what seemed like hundreds of different butterflies.

The following day we discovered the impressive Warwick Castle, which has been excellently preserved as it made its transition from a fortress to a family home in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Although the castle is a little pricey to get into if visiting with a family, there really is a lot to see once you are in there, from the opulent State Rooms to purposefully created tourist attractions such as the Castle Dungeon and the Princess Tower.

The view from the castle's battlements and towers are absolutely spectacular on a fine day and, at various times of the year, there are numerous special events such as jousting contests and, falconry displays.

There is little doubt that Stratford and its surroundings is a spectacular part of Warwickshire – an area steeped in history, pleasant countryside and attractive market towns.