Kenilworth Castle

Heritage Site in Warwickshire

England

Kenilworth Castle

Red Lane near Long Meadow Barn Farm Credit: Ian S

Kenilworth Castle, located in Warwickshire, England, is a historical landmark that dates back to the 12th century. It is situated on a small hilltop overlooking the town of Kenilworth and has played a significant role in English history.

Originally built as a Norman fortress in 1120, Kenilworth Castle was later expanded and transformed into a grand palace by various owners, including King John and King Henry III. The castle became a royal residence in the 13th century and was favored by several monarchs, such as Edward II and Elizabeth I.

The castle's impressive architecture reflects the different periods of its construction. The Great Hall, built during the reign of Edward I, remains intact and showcases its medieval grandeur. The Elizabethan Gardens, added by Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, are renowned for their beauty and were designed to impress Queen Elizabeth I during her visit in 1575.

Throughout its history, Kenilworth Castle witnessed several important events. It was besieged twice during the English Civil War in the 17th century and suffered significant damage. However, in the 19th century, the castle was partially restored, preserving its historical significance.

Today, Kenilworth Castle is managed by English Heritage and is open to the public. Visitors can explore the ruins, wander through the beautiful gardens, and learn about the castle's rich history through informative displays and exhibitions. With its stunning architecture and fascinating past, Kenilworth Castle is a must-visit for history enthusiasts and architectural admirers alike.

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Kenilworth Castle Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.35/-1.597 or Grid Reference SP2772. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Red Lane near Long Meadow Barn Farm

Ian S

A452 Birmingham Road at Red Lane

Ian S

Making a deck, The Engine public house, Mill End, Kenilworth

In the later phase of the pandemic, pubs that had had to close invested in creating outdoor space so that they could safely serve socially-distanced patrons.

Robin Stott

Odibourne Allotments, Manor Road, Kenilworth

The allotments were open to the public for the Heritage Open Days 2021 and Edible England events; members of the Kenilworth Allotment Tenants' Association (KATA) can be seen welcoming visitors. The Odibourne site was established in 1919, when Kenilworth Urban District Council bought land from the estate of the deceased William Thomas Pears. The council had recently decided to build on the 'Noah's Ark' allotments nearby, but was obliged under the 1908 Smallholding & Allotments Act to provide sufficient land for local people who wanted plots for growing food. The site is owned today by Kenilworth Town Council, but has been managed since 1983 by KATA (information taken from a notice board on the site).

A J Paxton

Plot 58a, Odibourne Allotments, Kenilworth

These allotments, which to this city dweller appear impossibly idyllic, were open to the public for the Heritage Open Days 2021. Behind the idyll, of course, lies hard work and long term commitment, the challenge of group politics, the uncertainty of the weather and the threat, even here, of theft and vandalism. The Odibourne allotments were established in 1919.

A J Paxton

I'm in the Green Zone

A scarecrow, probably more decorative than functional, at the Odibourne allotments in Kenilworth, which were open to the public for the Heritage Open Days 2021.

A J Paxton

Apple Pressing at Odibourne Allotments, Kenilworth

The allotment site was open to the public as part of the Heritage Open Days 2021 and Edible England events.

A J Paxton

'My Shed, My Rules'

The sheds of the Odibourne Allotments, Kenilworth, are the subject of their own book, 'Odibourne Sheds: rural retreats in a Kenilworth allotment', by Peter James, published by the Bothy Press in 2020.

A J Paxton

The Rules: Water butt on Odibourne Allotments, Kenilworth

A water butt and rules governing its use, on the Odibourne Allotments, open to the public for the Heritage Open Days 2021 and Edible England events.

A J Paxton

Odibourne Allotments, Kenilworth, looking towards Lower Ladyes Hills

Not normally open to the public, the allotments were welcoming visitors for the day as part of the Heritage Open Days 2021 and Edible England events. A scarecrow in the form of a Tokyo Olympics mascot can be seen to the right of the picture.

A J Paxton

Bridge over the Finham Brook, Odibourne Allotments, Kenilworth

No doubt flooding is another hazard of allotment life here, but the stream must have enriched the fertility of the valley over the years. Not normally accessible to the public, the allotments were open as part of the Heritage Open Days 2021 and Edible England events.

A J Paxton