Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden

Kenilworth Castle was once the most formidable medieval fortress in the United Kingdom. A royal castle for most of its history, Kenilworth was first built in the 1120s by Geoffrey de Clinton, the royal chamberlain, and became the property of the crown following the Norman Conquest. The castle was transformed into a lavish palace by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, to impress his queen, Elizabeth I. He famously entertained the queen for 19 days of festivities in 1575!

Although the castle’s fortifications were dismantled in 1650 after the English Civil War, many of the buildings remain unaltered since the reign of Elizabeth I. Visit the mighty medieval keep, built three stories high with walls 14 feet wide today to discover epic stories of sieges, royal scandals, royal romances and more.

Climb 18 metres up the Tudor towers for the first time in 350 years and discover the same incredible views as the queen. See the queen’s private staircase, the long gallery and the private rooms reserved for her most intimate friends. 

There are also plenty of interactive exhibitions and family-friendly displays where you can learn about Kenilworth’s past as well as its inhabitants. Children can play dress-up and touch the mighty trebuchet balls which were hurled at the castle 800 years ago.

Elizabethan Garden
Follow in the footsteps of the great Tudor queen as you explore the opulent castle gardens. Lost to the world for almost 400 years, the garden has been recreated to mimic the same tranquillity, peace and colour it possessed during the Elizabethan era. Walk through the fragrant walkways to discover the marble fountain, the ornate bird-filled aviary and the best views over the garden and beyond.