Kenilworth Castle, an impressive ruined castle in the town of Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
Address: Castle Green, Off Castle Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1NG.
Dog-friendly Kenilworth Castle is an impressive ruined castle in the town of Kenilworth. Originally built in the 12th century, the castle was enlarged and improved in the 13th and 14th centuries, and then substantially renovated in the 16th century. Robert Dudley, the courtier of Queen Elizabeth I, transformed old medieval structures into a luxurious residence to impress and entertain the Queen.
The castle was built almost entirely from local New Red Sandstone. It changed hands numerous times before eventually falling into disrepair. Kenilworth has been in ruins since the 18th century and has been used as a popular tourist attraction. However, some work has been undertaken to protect the stonework from further decline. Since 1984, the castle has been maintained and looked after by English Heritage.The most impressive part of the castle is his Great Hall. Originally constructed between 1373 and 1380, the Great Hall was a centrepiece, allowing guests and visitors to look through huge windows to admire the inner court.
The Kenilworth’s greatest period began when Queen Elizabeth I granted Kenilworth to Robert Dudley, the first Earl of Leicester in 1563. The story of their tangled relationship has fascinated people for over 450 years. They had known each other since their early childhood, and when Elizabeth became Queen in 1558, the court was rife with rumours about their love affair.
It is worth mentioning that, at the time, Dudley was married to Amy Robsart. Unfortunately, in 1560, Amy was found dead with a broken neck at the bottom of some stairs and the cause of her death has never been proved. After the accident, Robert Dudley was fully determined to marry Elizabeth, but this marriage would have tarnished her honour and probably could have cost her the throne.
In total, Elizabeth visited Kenilworth Castle four times, and her last and most famous visit was in 1575, when she stayed in the castle for almost three weeks. Dudley hoped to impress the queen and ask for her hand in marriage, so he reputedly spent £40,000 on renovations, gardening, and entertainment, which is equivalent to about £7 million today. A new garden was created to impress and delight Queen Elizabeth I, and it was a privy garden for the Queen’s own use. Fireworks were heard 20 miles away, and the royal stay was packed with different forms of lavish entertainment like pageants and plays, hunting parties, music and dancing. It was a show of wealth and power.
Sadly, the last performance was called off because of a rainstorm, and Elizabeth rode away. After she left, Dudley abandoned all hopes of marrying the Queen. Robert Dudley passed away at Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire, aged about 55.
Dogs at Kenilworth Castle
Dogs on leads are welcome everywhere throughout the site, including in the Gatehouse where the exhibition tells you the full story of the famous royal romance between Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley. There are also lovely off-lead walks outside of the castle and a big park in the town of Kenilworth.
After a lovely walk, take a break at the Stables Tearoom, there are plenty of seats outside where dogs can rest their paws up!
Opening times
10:00 – 17:00 every day (Spring-Summer).
Admission fee
£13.10 for adults and £8.10 for children (if you book online in advance),
£15.90 for adults and £10.00 for children (on the day of your visit).
Parking
£6 per day.
Website
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