Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden (Warwickshire)

One of Britain's largest and most impressive historic sites, dating from 1120s. Extensive recent renovation to garden.

Summary 13th century buildings (or older) Gift shop Information provided Learning facilities Gardens

Food and Drinks Tea Room

Introduction

One of England’s most spectacular castle ruins in Warwickshire, with links to some major historical figures – including ‘Bad’ King John, Henry V, and Henry VIII. However, Kenilworth is most famously associated with Robert Dudley and Queen Elizabeth I. Elizabeth kept Dudley’s last letter to her in a casket by her bed until she died. View a copy of this letter, and explore Leicester’s gatehouse where Dudley courted his Queen – both part of a multi-million pound investment. This includes two exhibitions, a brand new audio tour that brings Kenilworth’s eventful past to life and the recreation of the original Elizabethan garden.

Prices:

Adult:£7.00

Children:£3.50

Concession:£6.00

Family Ticket: £17.50

History to the present day

A vast medieval fortress which became anElizabethan palace, Kenilworth Castle is one of Britain's largest and most impressive historic sites. Extensive recent developments highlight its famous associations with Queen Elizabeth I and her favourite, Robert Dudley, including the recreation of the garden which was designed to astound visitors, including Elizabeth I at a time when Dudley still hoped to marry her.

Spanning more than five centuries, Kenilworth's varied buildings and architectural styles reflect its long connection with successive English monarchs. Geoffrey de Clinton, Henry I's treasurer, began the massive Norman keep at the core of the fortress in the 1120s, and under Henry II Kenilworth became a royal castle. King John greatly strengthened it between 1210 and 1215, enlarging the surrounding watery 'mere' which effectively made it an island stronghold. Thus it could withstand an epic siege in 1266, when rebellious barons held out against Henry III's siege engines for six months, succumbing only to starvation. In the impressively-timbered Tudor stables, which now house the castle's tearoom, trebuchet balls from the siege can be seen in the fascinating interactive display on the castle's history.

On the last and most famous of the visits of Queen Elizabeth I, in July 1575, Elizabeth stayed here for 19 days - her longest sojourn in a courtier's house during any of her progresses. Dudley not only entertained her lavishly throughout with music, dancing, hunting and plays: he also created specially for her visit a fabulous garden, whose re- creation is English Heritage's latest contribution to Kenilworth's long history.

Though largely unscathed during the Civil War, Kenilworth was afterwards rendered indefensible, and gradually fell into dilapidation.  Made famous by Walter Scott's romantic novel, 'Kenilworth' (1821), it came into state guardianship in 1938.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden, Warwickshire, , United Kingdom

Opening Times:

1 Apr-1 Nov: 10am-5pm daily

2 Nov-28 Feb: 10am-4pm daily

1-31 Mar: 10am-5pm daily

24-26 Dec and 1 Jan: closed
 

 

 

Photographs courtesy of English Heritage Photo Library

More photos of Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden

garden with gate

Elizabethean garden