Kenilworth Castle And Elizabethan Garden CV8 1NG
Free for EH members
Open: Seasonal - See website

About:
Kenilworth Castle is one of the great historical sites of the United Kingdom. First built in the 1120s and a royal castle for most of its history, it was expanded by King John, John of Gaunt and Henry V. In 1563 Elizabeth I granted it to her favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, who converted the castle into a lavish palace fit to entertain his queen. Although the castle’s fortifications were dismantled in 1650, many of the buildings remain unaltered since Elizabeth I’s reign, and the spectacular ruins reveal much of Kenilworth’s medieval and Tudor past.

Dog Friendly:
Dogs on lead allowed. Assistance dogs welcome.

Entry Charge:
Variable prices (see website)

Parking:
Parking charges apply to non-members. Parking is free for members.

Facilities:

Food and drink:
The Stables Tearoom offers a seasonal menu of daily specials together with home-baked cakes and Fair Trade tea and coffee. Our ingredients are locally sourced where possible. Ample seating.

Picnic area:
There are benches situated at the picnic area outside the tearoom. There are also large grassed areas around the site that are ideal for picnics.

Shop:
Shop sells an extensive range of heritage gifts and souvenirs, including armour, swords, books, jams, alcohol, kids toys and tapestries.

Toilets: 
Unisex toilet located in Leicester's Gatehouse with baby changing facilities. Disabled toilet is located at Leicester's Gatehouse.

Exhibition:
An exhibition detailing the history of the castle can be found in the stables, next to the tearoom. Leicester’s Gatehouse is displayed with the chambers on its lower floors re-created as they might have appeared when the gatehouse was inhabited in the 1930s. There is an additional display on the top floor of Leicester's Gatehouse titled ‘The Queen and the Castle: Robert Dudley’s Kenilworth’. Featuring items both from museums and private collections, this exhibition tells the story of Elizabeth I’s relationship with Dudley and her four visits to Kenilworth.

Gardens:
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, created a special, fabulous garden for Queen Elizabeth I in 1575. This garden, lost for centuries, has been brought back to life by a pioneering team of historians, archaeologists, plantsmen and plantswomen, designers, craftspeople and gardeners. Featuring a fountain and aviary, it presents the most complete evocation of an Elizabethan garden anywhere in the world. Large grassed areas surround the castle. There is plenty of room for children to run around, but kites not allowed due to large trees.

Notes:
There is a drop to the side of the tilt yard walkway to visitors centre. This is very obvious.
Upper floors mainly reached by spiral staircases.
Compacted gravel pathways with some steep gradients. Garden area accessible with compacted gravel paths and smooth grass.

Contact:
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk
Tel: 0370 3331181