Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden — Attraction in Warwick

Loved this site, enjoyed it more than Stonehenge. Arrived early, just after 10am. Best time is usually early, it was starting to get busier by time we left around 11.30.

The car park is just at the end of the path to the grounds, 1 minute walk, free for EH members too. You pass the shop first - even if you pre-booked tickets you need to go check in at the shop (there wasn’t a sign for that so we didn’t, and found out further along we needed to go back to check in). Takes a minute, super quick. Then you reach the site entrance where an EH staff member gives you a map and tells you a couple of highlights about the site - nice, very helpful, smiling and not pushy. We didn’t opt for the audio tour. Then you’re free to roam about. There’s so much history at this site and the ruins are amazing - incredibly big with great intact parts, key features still preserved and explained, lots of signage to explain what you’re looking at etc. In one area, by the Elizabethan bed chamber, there was another staff member who was really nice and directed us through without being forceful or trying to interact too much. Your imagine runs wild thinking what this place would have been like in full swing back when it was at its prime with its stone spiral staircases, the gardens, the big fireplaces and huge windows; this place felt magical and almost unreal. If you’re into history, architecture, fantasy or old-fashioned romance you’ll love this site. We didn’t try the cafe but it looked pretty nice, but as we arrived before the site opened we got breakfast locally - there is a great little cafe around the corner called Morning Sunshine which does amazing food and is really well priced. The shop was a little small, but probably the right size for the site, the product was reasonably priced and an interesting array, though we did not buy anything. All in all a really nice site and will probably...

Such a lovely place to visit. Parking was easy, if you're a member of the English Heritage parking is free. Nice little tea room that had a large selection of books to buy.. children's and older readers... Nice selection of hot foods , cake and delicious scones, hot and cold drinks and ice-cream. Seating inside and out. Picnic area to. Some very interesting exhibitions, tours are available. The castle has a lot of grounds, grassed areas and nice smooth footpaths suitable for wheelchairs and prams. A lot of grassed area though, hilly bits and stairs. I definitely wouldn't recommend going up the castle stairs if you have any kind of mobility issues...(My knees are still hurting now lol) Beautiful gardens to walk around and the most beautiful Avery with little birds in 🥰 if you carry on walking down the path where the birds are, you will come to beehives and some beautiful whicker work in the form of a giant ant.. oh and we were so lucky to spot baby squirrels in their nest. Toilets are available in a couple of areas, including baby change facilities in the disabled loo.. plenty of room.. A lovely treasure hunt for children to find the pictures of various make believe beasties... (Leaflets in the shop where you buy your entrance ticket), or you could sign up for membership and support the English Heritage sites all over England. They'd be truly grateful... The journey on route to Kenilworth was a bit of a nightmare due to roadworks and diversions, so make sure you plan your journey. Lovely, friendly helpful staff to help out if you need assistance. Will definitely be returning here, we loved it. Oh, nearly forgot...well behaved dogs are welcome, provided they are kept on...

Spectacular ruins steeped in history, the Earl of Leicester's lavish residence is now the polar opposite of Warwick Castle, which is only 15 minutes away and was once owned by his brother - the Earl of Warwick.

You are warmly greeted by staff at the visitors' centre and a free audio guide is available. The audio is very informative and complements the written information panels. There is a guide at the gatehouse entrance called Andrew who is obviously passionate about the site, is very informative and tells tales of Kings and Queens, battles and sieges and how it is one of the most haunted sites in the country.

The remarkable ruins are vast and stairs have been erected so you can walk through the upper levels and there are images that show how it may have looked originally. The Elizabethan Garden is beautiful and it has an aviary complete with canaries and a pheasant.

Leicester's gatehouse is still intact and furnishings have been sympathetically recreated to give a representation of how it may have looked and there is an exhibition about the Baron of Kenilworth who donated the castle to the Commissioner of Works. The original horse stables house the cafe and this is a lovely setting with beautiful roof beams lit from below.

Throughout the ruins 19th century graffiti is displayed. Sir Walter Scott's novel, Kenilworth, romanticised the visit of Elizabeth I and Victorians flocked to visit where it was set.

The visitors' centre was a delight and Christmas mead was available for tasting. This was delicious, Christmas in a glass! It was a thoroughly enjoyable visit and we spent well over 4 hours here.

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