Rugby is a market town in the county of Warwickshire.
Rugby is famous for the Rugby School that was founded in 1567. It was built originally for local boys but gradually it became a mostly fee paying private school.
Rugby is probably most famous for the invention of Rugby Football and this was invented by William Webb Ellis in 1823 at Rugby School.
The town was where, in 1937, the first prototype jet engine was made.
In the early 1900’s the town became a major industrial centre with engineering being foremost. Today engineering is in decline and the production of gas and steam turbines, which has been in the town for many years, in now under threat. It is however still the towns largest private employer.
Another large employer is Rugby Cement and this plant is one of the largest in Europe.
The other important industry to the town’s economy is tourism and this is mainly centred round rugby football.
The town centre is mostly Victorian or early 1900’s although a few older buildings still remain.
The shopping area is around the clock tower and both The High Street and Sheep Street are pedestrianised. It also has and indoor shopping centre, The Clock Towers, and some of the shops to be found in town include Adams, Eliza Doolittle, Carol B, Boheme Fashion Ltd., Tigi, Principles, Monsoon, Xplicit, Exposure, Men’s Lobby, Jean Station and Top Shop.
Just outside town are several fairly recently built retail centres.
The town has a street market several days a week and also holds a cattle market as it has done since medieval times.
There are three museums in Rugby, The Rugby School Museum, this has audio visual displays regarding the school and town.
The Museum and Art Gallery are in one building and hold contemporary art exhibits and Roman artefacts plus many other displays.
The Rugby Football Museum holds a lot of rugby football memorabilia and is also where traditional rugby balls are made.
Property for rent in Rugby costs around £395 - £500pcm for a l bed flat, £495 - £595pcm for a 2 bed flat and between £595 and £725 for a 3 bed house.
Rugby is easily accessible via the M6, M1 and M45 motorways and the A45. Rail services run London to Birmingham and to the North West of England.
The Oxford Canal runs along the north of the town.
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