Pictures of Kenilworth Castle

a Castle in the town of Kenilworth, in the county of Warwickshire

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About Kenilworth Castle

This is all that remains of a castle that once heaped lavish entertainments on England's "Good Queen Bess" for here in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside, Elizabeth I was feted in a round of festivities lasting nineteen days, at a cost of over £1,000 per day - a vast sum in the far off days of 1575.

Kenilworth has a romantic history, it was built in the 12th century by Geoffrey de Clinton, Treasurer to Henry I. It was later taken by the Crown on the orders of Henry II. In 1266, it was held by the son of Simon de Montfort and was the scene of siege by Henry III.

The castle was considered to be impregnable, it had water-defences consisting of a great lake over 100 acres in area. The garrison held out for six months and only surrendered for fear of starvation.

Amongst the ruins we see today is the oldest part of the building - its great Norman keep with its square corner turrets, these date from around 1180. The outer walls remain from building of around 1205, and those built by the castle's most celebrated owner John of Gaunt, are those lying to the west and south of the keep. In the late 14th century John of Gaunt spent vast sums of money having Kenilworth completely remodelled into a residence of splendour. Despite the ruined state of the castle, the remains of the great hall still show lovely decorated oriel windows, allowing the visitor to ponder over its past magnificence.

The last great phase of Kenilworth, was at the hands of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and favourite of Elizabeth I. The castle ruins next to John of Gaunts, will be forever known as the Leicester buildings. Looking around this evocative site, it is easy to imagine the joy of the young Queen as she strolled the grounds of Kenilworth in the company of the handsome Earl and a happy band of courtiers.

Apart from the romantic castle ruins, visitors to Kenilworth Castle can enjoy restored Tudor gardens and stables. Sadly, the great lake that shielded the castle in times of siege has long since disappeared.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Kenilworth Castle.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Kenilworth Castle

Lord Leycester Hospital	(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction S)	Pictures
Warwick Church of St Mary	(4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction S)	Pictures
St Johns House Museum	(4.6 miles, 7.3 km, direction S)	Pictures
Warwick Museum	(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction S)	Pictures
Okens House	(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction S)	Pictures
St Nicholas Park	(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction S)	Pictures
Warwick Castle	(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction S)	Pictures
Coventry Cathedral	(5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Coventry Transport Museum	(5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Packwood House	(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction W)	Pictures

All attractions in Warwickshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Kenilworth Castle

Kenilworth, in the county of Warwickshire (0.7 miles, 1.1 km)
Kenilworth is a pleasant town located in the spacious Warwickshire countryside, it is a town with an 'air of gentility' that tells you that this is a prosperous place with a long, illustrious history.
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Warwick, in the county of Warwickshire (4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction S)
Warwick offers its visitors the chance to explore England's fascinating history with fine medieval buildings and a truly magnificent castle.
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Berkswell, in the county of West Midlands (4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction NW)
This must be one of England's loveliest villages, it is evocative of a life before urbanisation and modernity, it is that perfect idyll of much loved English country life where you can re-discover the peaceful tranquillity of yester-year.
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Royal Leamington Spa, in the county of Warwickshire (4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction SE)
This town has a history stretching back to the Doomsday Book, but it was Queen Victoria who put the "Royal" into Leamington Spa when she bestowed the title in 1838.
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Coventry, in the county of West Midlands (5.1 miles, 8.3 km, direction NE)
Coventry has been at the heart of industry for many decades and has a great industrial past.
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Ryton-on-Dunsmore, in the county of Warwickshire (6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction E)
Located in the countryside between Rugby and Coventry, this delightful village is probably best known for it's ancient parish church.
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Lapworth, in the county of Warwickshire (7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction W)
The village has a delightful mix of ancient properties that mingle harmoniously with barn conversions and new build.
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Henley in Arden, in the county of Warwickshire (8.7 miles, 13.9 km, direction SW)
Hidden deep amonst the leafy lanes of Warwickshire, close to what little remains of the ancient Forest of Arden, lies the pleasant Market town of Henley-in-Arden.
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Solihull, in the county of West Midlands (8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction NW)
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Stratford-upon-Avon, a Historic Market Town in the county of Warwickshire (11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction SW)
Stratford Upon Avon is a beautiful historic market town in the County of Warwickshire. Famous as the birthplace of the legendry playwright William Shakespeare
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All towns in Warwickshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby events

24th August to 25th August 2008

Wars of the Roses

in Kenilworth Castle, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England

Nearby travel help

Tile Hill Station	(3.2 miles, 5.1 km, direction N)
Canley Station	(4.3 miles, 6.9 km, direction NE)
M40 Junction 15	(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction S)
M40 Junction 14	(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction S)
Birmingham International Airport	(9.5 miles, 15.2 km, direction NW)
East Midlands Airport	(35.2 miles, 56.6 km, direction N)
Kenilworth Castle to London	(85.5 miles, 137.5 km, direction SE)

Accommodation & Hotels near Kenilworth Castle

Hotel Name
Castle Laurels Guest House	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
Clarendon House	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
Macdonald De Montfort Hotel	(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)
The Kenilworth	(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)
Grand Hotel	(1.0 miles, 1.6 km)
Best Western The Peacock Hotel	(1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction SE)
VICTORIA LODGE	(1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction SE)
Woodside Hotel & Conference Centre	(1.5 miles, 2.5 km, direction SE)
Chesford Grange Hotel - A QHotel	(2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction SE)
Honiley Court Hotel & Conference Centre (Form Corus Htl Warwick)	(2.4 miles, 3.9 km, direction NW)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts