Kenilworth
Castle and Love affair
Kenilworth’s star attraction has to be the imposing 12th century red sandstone castle which although slighted in the civil war is still a great day out, this atmospheric fortress is situated on the outskirts of the town surrounded by countryside.
It is easy to see why this incredible building was the inspiration for Sir Walter Scott’s novel Kenilworth. The castle withstood one of the longest sieges in history when Lord Edward, who later became Edward I besieged the place for six months.
The castle was enlarged in the 14th century by John of Gaunt however; it was in the hands of Robert Dudley that the castle received a complete makeover. In an effort to woo Queen Elizabeth I who came to stay at the castle he spent vast sums of money improving and adding apartments to the castle and surrounds almost bankrupting himself in the process, all to no avail.
The audio tours are spell binding and tell the story of Elizabeth and her suitor Dudley, don’t miss the beautiful Elizabethan gardens which have only recently been restored.
Activities in Kenilworth
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