www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk every Thursday at Abbey End. Abbey at Thursday every with the perfect location for a day trip or short break. break. short or trip day a for location perfect the with and Nuneaton. Nuneaton. and
produce, jewellery, clothing and hand-crafted goods taking place place taking goods hand-crafted and clothing jewellery, produce, All this with its beautiful wide open spaces provides visitors visitors provides spaces open wide beautiful its with this All build. Kenilworth has direct links to Leamington Spa, Coventry Coventry Spa, Leamington to links direct has Kenilworth build.
There’s a bustling weekly market too, where you can find fresh fresh find can you where too, market weekly bustling a There’s as a variety of independent and artisan shops. artisan and independent of variety a as the old building were salvaged and incorporated into the new new the into incorporated and salvaged were building old the
There are also many superb restaurants, pubs and cafes as well well as cafes and pubs restaurants, superb many also are There 30th April 2018. Two stained glass windows and signage from from signage and windows glass stained Two 2018. April 30th www.warwickdc.gov.uk/events
acres of parkland and many buildings of architectural interest. interest. architectural of buildings many and parkland of acres character of the original station and re-opened to the public on on public the to re-opened and station original the of character finishing the year with two Christmas Lights Switch-ons! Switch-ons! Lights Christmas two with year the finishing
ruined castle, the remains of a medieval monastery set in 68 68 in set monastery medieval a of remains the castle, ruined a closure of 53 years Kenilworth Station was rebuilt in the the in rebuilt was Station Kenilworth years 53 of closure a Gala at the Castle Meadows to celebrate bonfire night and and night bonfire celebrate to Meadows Castle the at Gala
The town is steeped in history and is home to England’s largest largest England’s to home is and history in steeped is town The Kenilworth has a much treasured and thriving station. After After station. thriving and treasured much a has Kenilworth
and Half Marathon, culminating in the world-renowned Fireworks Fireworks world-renowned the in culminating Marathon, Half and
nearby Stoneleigh Park. cycle races, a famous Two Castles Run Run Castles Two famous a races, cycle Park. Stoneleigh nearby International Airport. Airport. International Railway Station Railway
including Food and Arts Festivals, an agricultural show at the the at show agricultural an Festivals, Arts and Food including and Coventry and within a 30 minute drive of Birmingham Birmingham of drive minute 30 a within and Coventry and
Kenilworth has a packed calendar of events throughout the year year the throughout events of calendar packed a has Kenilworth Kenilworth is also very close to the universities of Warwick Warwick of universities the to close very also is Kenilworth
M1, M6, M40 and M42. M42. and M40 M6, M1, www.priorytheatre.co.uk Markets and events and Markets
and is ideally placed to access the wider motorway network of of network motorway wider the access to placed ideally is and www.talismantheatre.co.uk
and direct connections to Leamington, Coventry and Nuneaton Nuneaton and Coventry Leamington, to connections direct and plays, musicals, shows and films throughout the year. year. the throughout films and shows musicals, plays,
The town has fantastic travel links, with its own railway station station railway own its with links, travel fantastic has town The and The Priory, both of which offer an extensive programme of of programme extensive an offer which of both Priory, The and
The town is well served by two excellent theatres, The Talisman Talisman The theatres, excellent two by served well is town The Cotswolds and Birmingham. Birmingham. and Cotswolds
easy reach of the world-renowned Stratford-upon-Avon, Stratford-upon-Avon, world-renowned the of reach easy Talisman and Priory Theatres Theatres Priory and Talisman
of Warwick, Royal Leamington Spa and Coventry and within within and Coventry and Spa Leamington Royal Warwick, of
Theatre and the Arts the and Theatre
has a wonderful central location close to the larger centres centres larger the to close location central wonderful a has
Nestled in beautiful Warwickshire countryside, Kenilworth Kenilworth countryside, Warwickshire beautiful in Nestled
gem of a town a of gem
A historic, rare little little rare historic, A
an award-winning cocktail bar. cocktail award-winning an
coffee shops and cafes with daily menus to suit every taste and and taste every suit to menus daily with cafes and shops coffee
and hospitality. There are also plenty of independent pubs, pubs, independent of plenty also are There hospitality. and
French and English, Kenilworth has a reputation for great food food great for reputation a has Kenilworth English, and French
www.kenilworthweb.co.uk
and a variety of eateries including Indian, Thai, Chinese, Italian, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Indian, including eateries of variety a and
www.talismankenilworth.co.uk high quality goods. goods. quality high
Boasting the only Michelin starred restaurant in the district district the in restaurant starred Michelin only the Boasting items and if looking for a bargain there are charity shops with with shops charity are there bargain a for looking if and items
Fabulous food Fabulous and Waitrose, and independent artisan shops selling unusual unusual selling shops artisan independent and Waitrose, and
offer a wide variety of big name shops, including Sainsbury’s Sainsbury’s including shops, name big of variety wide a offer
End together with Talisman Square and Millar Court which all all which Court Millar and Square Talisman with together End
is the centre of modern Kenilworth on Warwick Road, Abbey Abbey Road, Warwick on Kenilworth modern of centre the is of self-catering options. options. self-catering of
back to the 15th century. Only a short walk across Abbey Fields Fields Abbey across walk short a Only century. 15th the to back to small boutique hotels, family run B&Bs and a range range a and B&Bs run family hotels, boutique small to
restaurants, bars, cafés and shops in fine listed buildings dating dating buildings listed fine in shops and cafés bars, restaurants, accommodation from large international hotel chains, chains, hotel international large from accommodation
Castle Hill and High Street in The Old Town offer independent independent offer Town Old The in Street High and Hill Castle Kenilworth offers a variety of high quality accredited accredited quality high of variety a offers Kenilworth
Places to stay to Places Great shopping Great
Heritage trails & more The wider area Information Guide The Heritage Trail is a circular walk which can be started at Kenilworth is a wonderful base from which to explore the What to See and Do & Map any point and takes about an hour to complete (or longer if you surrounding area. In 2021 nearby Coventry will be the UK City take advantage of the wealth of shops, cafes and attractions of Culture with a packed programme of celebrations, events along the way!) The fascinating route takes in the Castle, and exhibitions planned throughout the year. The following year Church, Abbey, High Street, Castle Hill and can be extended to a Royal Leamington Spa will host the Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn KENILWORTH figure of eight walk by incorporating the Millennium Walk. Bowls for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. www.discoveringbritain.org There will be a wider cultural programme across the area to celebrate both these events. Visitor Guide www.coventry2021.co.uk www.birmingham2022.com 2020 www.warwickdc.gov.uk/CG2022
Literary Trail M6 TOLL M1 The historic town boasts a number of literary associations. M6 11 It is thought that Sir Walter Scott 1771-1852 was inspired 10A to write his novel ‘Kenilworth’ while staying at the Kings M54 M42 M6 Arms and Castle Hotel. Historians believe that Charles 9 21 8 Dickens was also a guest of the hotel while touring the 6 M69 area. He is known to have visited Kenilworth Castle his 7/4 novel “Dombey and Son” published in 1848 features in the Birmingham M5 Coventry 2 line ‘a stroll among the haunted ruins of Kenilworth’. 19 Kenilworth is also associated with historical author A45 M42 KENILWORTH Anya Seton, historian Alison Weir and prolific 4A 3A A46 Royal Leamington Spa 17 M1 screenwriter and novelist Andrew Davies. Warwick 15 M45 Nearby Stoneleigh Abbey, has links to Jane Austen and Stratford-Upon-Avon it is believed the beautiful country house and its grounds M5 were the inspiration for the family intrigues she wove into M40 her novels including Mansfield Park. Stoneleigh Abbey Thank you to English Heritage, The Wildlife Trust and Friends of Abbey Fields, Fabio Henrique, was the country seat of Jane’s maternal relatives and Gill Allcock, Susan Tall, John Plevin, Paul Bagworth and Carl Mitchell for their photo contributions. in 1806 she visited the Abbey with her mother, sister Cassandra and cousin the Reverend Thomas Leigh. Slightly further afield you can celebrate the lives of Victorian novelist George Elliot in Nuneaton, JRR Tolkien in Birmingham and of course William Shakespeare in nearby Stratford-upon-Avon. www.kenilworthweb.co.uk
www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk every Thursday at Abbey End. Abbey at Thursday every with the perfect location for a day trip or short break. break. short or trip day a for location perfect the with and Nuneaton. Nuneaton. and
produce, jewellery, clothing and hand-crafted goods taking place place taking goods hand-crafted and clothing jewellery, produce, All this with its beautiful wide open spaces provides visitors visitors provides spaces open wide beautiful its with this All build. Kenilworth has direct links to Leamington Spa, Coventry Coventry Spa, Leamington to links direct has Kenilworth build.
There’s a bustling weekly market too, where you can find fresh fresh find can you where too, market weekly bustling a There’s as a variety of independent and artisan shops. artisan and independent of variety a as the old building were salvaged and incorporated into the new new the into incorporated and salvaged were building old the
There are also many superb restaurants, pubs and cafes as well well as cafes and pubs restaurants, superb many also are There 30th April 2018. Two stained glass windows and signage from from signage and windows glass stained Two 2018. April 30th www.warwickdc.gov.uk/events
acres of parkland and many buildings of architectural interest. interest. architectural of buildings many and parkland of acres character of the original station and re-opened to the public on on public the to re-opened and station original the of character finishing the year with two Christmas Lights Switch-ons! Switch-ons! Lights Christmas two with year the finishing
ruined castle, the remains of a medieval monastery set in 68 68 in set monastery medieval a of remains the castle, ruined a closure of 53 years Kenilworth Station was rebuilt in the the in rebuilt was Station Kenilworth years 53 of closure a Gala at the Castle Meadows to celebrate bonfire night and and night bonfire celebrate to Meadows Castle the at Gala
The town is steeped in history and is home to England’s largest largest England’s to home is and history in steeped is town The Kenilworth has a much treasured and thriving station. After After station. thriving and treasured much a has Kenilworth
and Half Marathon, culminating in the world-renowned Fireworks Fireworks world-renowned the in culminating Marathon, Half and
nearby Stoneleigh Park. cycle races, a famous Two Castles Run Run Castles Two famous a races, cycle Park. Stoneleigh nearby International Airport. Airport. International Railway Station Railway
including Food and Arts Festivals, an agricultural show at the the at show agricultural an Festivals, Arts and Food including and Coventry and within a 30 minute drive of Birmingham Birmingham of drive minute 30 a within and Coventry and
Kenilworth has a packed calendar of events throughout the year year the throughout events of calendar packed a has Kenilworth Kenilworth is also very close to the universities of Warwick Warwick of universities the to close very also is Kenilworth
M1, M6, M40 and M42. M42. and M40 M6, M1, www.priorytheatre.co.uk Markets and events and Markets
and is ideally placed to access the wider motorway network of of network motorway wider the access to placed ideally is and www.talismantheatre.co.uk
and direct connections to Leamington, Coventry and Nuneaton Nuneaton and Coventry Leamington, to connections direct and plays, musicals, shows and films throughout the year. year. the throughout films and shows musicals, plays,
The town has fantastic travel links, with its own railway station station railway own its with links, travel fantastic has town The and The Priory, both of which offer an extensive programme of of programme extensive an offer which of both Priory, The and
The town is well served by two excellent theatres, The Talisman Talisman The theatres, excellent two by served well is town The Cotswolds and Birmingham. Birmingham. and Cotswolds
easy reach of the world-renowned Stratford-upon-Avon, Stratford-upon-Avon, world-renowned the of reach easy Talisman and Priory Theatres Theatres Priory and Talisman
of Warwick, Royal Leamington Spa and Coventry and within within and Coventry and Spa Leamington Royal Warwick, of
Theatre and the Arts the and Theatre
has a wonderful central location close to the larger centres centres larger the to close location central wonderful a has
Nestled in beautiful Warwickshire countryside, Kenilworth Kenilworth countryside, Warwickshire beautiful in Nestled
gem of a town a of gem
A historic, rare little little rare historic, A
an award-winning cocktail bar. cocktail award-winning an
coffee shops and cafes with daily menus to suit every taste and and taste every suit to menus daily with cafes and shops coffee
and hospitality. There are also plenty of independent pubs, pubs, independent of plenty also are There hospitality. and
French and English, Kenilworth has a reputation for great food food great for reputation a has Kenilworth English, and French
www.kenilworthweb.co.uk
and a variety of eateries including Indian, Thai, Chinese, Italian, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Indian, including eateries of variety a and
www.talismankenilworth.co.uk high quality goods. goods. quality high
Boasting the only Michelin starred restaurant in the district district the in restaurant starred Michelin only the Boasting items and if looking for a bargain there are charity shops with with shops charity are there bargain a for looking if and items
Fabulous food Fabulous and Waitrose, and independent artisan shops selling unusual unusual selling shops artisan independent and Waitrose, and
offer a wide variety of big name shops, including Sainsbury’s Sainsbury’s including shops, name big of variety wide a offer
End together with Talisman Square and Millar Court which all all which Court Millar and Square Talisman with together End
is the centre of modern Kenilworth on Warwick Road, Abbey Abbey Road, Warwick on Kenilworth modern of centre the is of self-catering options. options. self-catering of
back to the 15th century. Only a short walk across Abbey Fields Fields Abbey across walk short a Only century. 15th the to back to small boutique hotels, family run B&Bs and a range range a and B&Bs run family hotels, boutique small to
restaurants, bars, cafés and shops in fine listed buildings dating dating buildings listed fine in shops and cafés bars, restaurants, accommodation from large international hotel chains, chains, hotel international large from accommodation
Castle Hill and High Street in The Old Town offer independent independent offer Town Old The in Street High and Hill Castle Kenilworth offers a variety of high quality accredited accredited quality high of variety a offers Kenilworth
Places to stay to Places Great shopping Great
Heritage trails & more The wider area Information Guide The Heritage Trail is a circular walk which can be started at Kenilworth is a wonderful base from which to explore the What to See and Do & Map any point and takes about an hour to complete (or longer if you surrounding area. In 2021 nearby Coventry will be the UK City take advantage of the wealth of shops, cafes and attractions of Culture with a packed programme of celebrations, events along the way!) The fascinating route takes in the Castle, and exhibitions planned throughout the year. The following year Church, Abbey, High Street, Castle Hill and can be extended to a Royal Leamington Spa will host the Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn KENILWORTH figure of eight walk by incorporating the Millennium Walk. Bowls for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. www.discoveringbritain.org There will be a wider cultural programme across the area to celebrate both these events. Visitor Guide www.coventry2021.co.uk www.birmingham2022.com 2020 www.warwickdc.gov.uk/CG2022
Literary Trail M6 TOLL M1 The historic town boasts a number of literary associations. M6 11 It is thought that Sir Walter Scott 1771-1852 was inspired 10A to write his novel ‘Kenilworth’ while staying at the Kings M54 M42 M6 Arms and Castle Hotel. Historians believe that Charles 9 21 8 Dickens was also a guest of the hotel while touring the 6 M69 area. He is known to have visited Kenilworth Castle his 7/4 novel “Dombey and Son” published in 1848 features in the Birmingham M5 Coventry 2 line ‘a stroll among the haunted ruins of Kenilworth’. 19 Kenilworth is also associated with historical author A45 M42 KENILWORTH Anya Seton, historian Alison Weir and prolific 4A 3A A46 Royal Leamington Spa 17 M1 screenwriter and novelist Andrew Davies. Warwick 15 M45 Nearby Stoneleigh Abbey, has links to Jane Austen and Stratford-Upon-Avon it is believed the beautiful country house and its grounds M5 were the inspiration for the family intrigues she wove into M40 her novels including Mansfield Park. Stoneleigh Abbey Thank you to English Heritage, The Wildlife Trust and Friends of Abbey Fields, Fabio Henrique, was the country seat of Jane’s maternal relatives and Gill Allcock, Susan Tall, John Plevin, Paul Bagworth and Carl Mitchell for their photo contributions. in 1806 she visited the Abbey with her mother, sister Cassandra and cousin the Reverend Thomas Leigh. Slightly further afield you can celebrate the lives of Victorian novelist George Elliot in Nuneaton, JRR Tolkien in Birmingham and of course William Shakespeare in nearby Stratford-upon-Avon. www.kenilworthweb.co.uk Airport - 11 miles
Birmingham A452 Working Towards 13 A429 to Coventry and Carbon Free Kenilworth University of Warwick KENILWORTH
Upper Spring Lane COMMON
K
O
O
R
B A452 B4103
M 10 A
H N PARLIAMENT
FI PIECE Plastic Free Free tap water Fieldgate Lane Knowle Hill www.refill.org.uk Kenilworth d Dalehouse Lane R KNOWLE HILL e g NATURE RESERVE r
o THE GREENWAY F Coventry Rd The Close
Clinton Lane Clinton Park Rd
THE PLEASANCE Glasshouse Lane ABBEY 2 High St d FIELDS ers R THE CASTLE CAR PARK Villi CAR PARK Castle Hill HERITAGE TRAIL MILLENNIUM WALK QUEEN & 7 Bridge St CASTLE P Park Hill P CAR PARK P School Lane 3 5 SUSTRANS 52 GATEHOUSE Parkfield Drive Albion St Hyde Rd 1 Rosemary Hill C 6 a s 17 KENILWORTH t le Arthur St Park Hill CASTLE R o a Sprin d 16 g OK L RO a M B n HA e Leyes Lane FIN ABBEY IN FIELDS CHBR 4 OOK A452 P BRAYS 2 CAR PARK B4103 Abbey Hill Priory Road
14 Southbank Road Forre Abbey End st Rd Windy Arbour
1 Kenilworth Castle and Leicester’s Gatehouse 12 Sunningdale Ave
Market (Thursdays) 52 SUSTRANS Bo r y ro e w ll e KENILWORTH 2 Millennium Walk 13 St. Augustine’s Church c B e a ll a
m l P r L 12 B P STATION a S o ne ABBEY END o 3 Little Virginia and High Street 14 War Memorial a 8 CAR PARK k
r
s r
i o d tation R w S o 4 Abbey Fields Historic Park 15 Castle Farm e 11 9 a fi d A Recreation Centre e Warwick Road v l d 5 The Abbey of St. Mary the Virgin e P 16 L Abbey Fields Swimming Pool a Abbey Barn Museum n P 6 & play area e SQUARE WEST 7 St Nicholas’ Church 17 Priory Theatre CAR PARK B Stratford-Upon-AvonLeamingtonA452/A46 Spa, to e r 8 The Clock Tower 18 Talisman Theatre t P Warwick & i 15 e Barrow Road R 9 The Square P Parking o ds R a pon d d ish Parliament Piece F 10 18 11 Library & Tourist Information Centre To Warwick 10 Places to visit…
Kenilworth Castle Little Virginia and 8 The Clock Tower 1 and Elizabethan Gardens 3 Old Town’s High Street The tower was presented to the town in 1906 by G.M. Turner in From medieval fortress to Lancastrian palace, Kenilworth Castle The hamlet of Little Virginia originally consisted of fifteen memory of his wife. The top of the tower was damaged in 1940 by has been at the centre of England’s affairs for much of its 900 thatched cottages which date from the 17th century. Their a land mine which destroyed a nearby hotel and the surrounding year history. Built by Henry I as a motte-and-bailey castle it was claim to fame is that the first potatoes brought to England were areas of Abbey End, killing 25 people (8 residents and 16 extended by King John, John of Gaunt and Henry V and become planted in this location by Sir Walter Raleigh - it is said! They are evacuees all named, and one unknown) who are remembered on a much loved royal palace. It was the scene of the longest siege found at the bottom of Castle Hill leading to High Street with its a nearby memorial. in England, and place of confinement for Edward II. numerous examples of listed buildings, charming restaurants, In 1563 Elizabeth I granted it to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, tea shops and unique artisan shops. who converted it into a lavish palace and created the stunning 9 29 The Square gardens. www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworth Abbey Fields Historic Park The modern façade replicates that of the King’s Arms & Castle 4 Hotel, which formerly stood on this site. Sir Walter Scott stayed A beautiful public open space forms the green heart of here in 1815 prior to writing his novel ‘Kenilworth’ and Charles Kenilworth linking the original part of the town with the new. Dickens is thought to have stayed here. The 68-acre parkland is rich in history and includes the remains of the historic Abbey, a lake, two children’s play areas, swimming pools, tennis courts, a trim trail, a café and heritage trails. www.warwickdc.gov.uk The Abbey of 5 St Mary the Virgin © Sue Steward The ruins of the Augustinian Priory, founded in 1119 and raised Millennium Walk to Abbey status in 1448 are located within Abbey Fields the site 10 Nature Reserves 2 is a scheduled ancient monument. The Tantara Gatehouse is and The Greenway still standing and will be opened in the near future to display the There are four local nature reserves in Kenilworth. All are managed through a partnership between Warwickshire Wildlife The Millennium Walk is a beautiful 6.5 mile circular walk artefacts currently stored there. Trust and Warwick District Council. starting at Kenilworth Castle. The trail is part of the 100 mile www.warwickdc.gov.uk/abbey Millennium Way across the Heart of England. This delightful trail Parliament Piece is a 14 acre ‘piece’ of open land just 5 minutes’ takes walkers past the most extensive castle ruins in England The Abbey Museum walk from Abbey Fields. It’s a wonderful peaceful open space with and explores farmland and open countryside and the site of 6 open grassland and tall trees for all to enjoy. Its name originates Henry V’s ‘Pleasance in the Marsh’ outside the castle. & Heritage Centre from the belief that Henry III’s Parliament met there in 1266. The Greenway is a short, 2.3 mile traffic free path and The Museum is open on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday Crackley Wood is an ancient woodland with a mixture of cycleway between Kenilworth and Burton Green which follows afternoons (2.30pm – 4.30pm) between Easter and woodland types, glades, ponds, ditches and boundary hedges. the National Sustrans Route 523 and links with Route 52 and mid-September. Free entry. www.khas.co.uk Within easy walk of the town centre, the hard surface path makes Route 6 in the area. The scenic route is great for wildlife lovers it accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The wood also links all the year round with sightings of rare flowers, insects, fungus St Nicholas’ Church to the Kenilworth to Berkswell Greenway opening up a 4 mile walk and wild birds in the hedgerows. 7 into the countryside. Further information on walking and cycling in the area can be This is Kenilworth’s oldest church, first referred to in 1291 and Knowle Hill is a diverse area of grassland, scrub and woodland found on the following websites: possibly built on the site of a Norman parish church. It is noted which is particularly important for butterflies. www.thegreenwaytrust.org.uk for its fine west doorway, reconstructed between 1550 and 1620 Kenilworth Common is a wooded common within the town. www.k2lcycleway.org using Norman material from the Abbey. It is documented that A pleasant place to be, just minutes from the town centre and an www.walking.41club.org Elizabeth I attended Divine Communion at the church in 1566, easy walk along the Finham Brook from Abbey Fields. www.sustrans.org.uk 1568 and 1572. www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk Airport - 11 miles
Birmingham A452 Working Towards 13 A429 to Coventry and Carbon Free Kenilworth University of Warwick KENILWORTH
Upper Spring Lane COMMON
K
O
O
R
B A452 B4103
M 10 A
H N PARLIAMENT
FI PIECE Plastic Free Free tap water Fieldgate Lane Knowle Hill www.refill.org.uk Kenilworth d Dalehouse Lane R KNOWLE HILL e g NATURE RESERVE r
o THE GREENWAY F Coventry Rd The Close
Clinton Lane Clinton Park Rd
THE PLEASANCE Glasshouse Lane ABBEY 2 High St d FIELDS ers R THE CASTLE CAR PARK Villi CAR PARK Castle Hill HERITAGE TRAIL MILLENNIUM WALK QUEEN & 7 Bridge St CASTLE P Park Hill P CAR PARK P School Lane 3 5 SUSTRANS 52 GATEHOUSE Parkfield Drive Albion St Hyde Rd 1 Rosemary Hill C 6 a s 17 KENILWORTH t le Arthur St Park Hill CASTLE R o a Sprin d 16 g OK L RO a M B n HA e Leyes Lane FIN ABBEY IN FIELDS CHBR 4 OOK A452 P BRAYS 2 CAR PARK B4103 Abbey Hill Priory Road
14 Southbank Road Forre Abbey End st Rd Windy Arbour
1 Kenilworth Castle and Leicester’s Gatehouse 12 Sunningdale Ave
Market (Thursdays) 52 SUSTRANS Bo r y ro e w ll e KENILWORTH 2 Millennium Walk 13 St. Augustine’s Church c B e a ll a
m l P r L 12 B P STATION a S o ne ABBEY END o 3 Little Virginia and High Street 14 War Memorial a 8 CAR PARK k
r
s r
i o d tation R w S o 4 Abbey Fields Historic Park 15 Castle Farm e 11 9 a fi d A Recreation Centre e Warwick Road v l d 5 The Abbey of St. Mary the Virgin e P 16 L Abbey Fields Swimming Pool a Abbey Barn Museum n P 6 & play area e SQUARE WEST 7 St Nicholas’ Church 17 Priory Theatre CAR PARK B Stratford-Upon-AvonLeamingtonA452/A46 Spa, to e r 8 The Clock Tower 18 Talisman Theatre t P Warwick & i 15 e Barrow Road R 9 The Square P Parking o ds R a pon d d ish Parliament Piece F 10 18 11 Library & Tourist Information Centre To Warwick 10 Places to visit…
Kenilworth Castle Little Virginia and 8 The Clock Tower 1 and Elizabethan Gardens 3 Old Town’s High Street The tower was presented to the town in 1906 by G.M. Turner in From medieval fortress to Lancastrian palace, Kenilworth Castle The hamlet of Little Virginia originally consisted of fifteen memory of his wife. The top of the tower was damaged in 1940 by has been at the centre of England’s affairs for much of its 900 thatched cottages which date from the 17th century. Their a land mine which destroyed a nearby hotel and the surrounding year history. Built by Henry I as a motte-and-bailey castle it was claim to fame is that the first potatoes brought to England were areas of Abbey End, killing 25 people (8 residents and 16 extended by King John, John of Gaunt and Henry V and become planted in this location by Sir Walter Raleigh - it is said! They are evacuees all named, and one unknown) who are remembered on a much loved royal palace. It was the scene of the longest siege found at the bottom of Castle Hill leading to High Street with its a nearby memorial. in England, and place of confinement for Edward II. numerous examples of listed buildings, charming restaurants, In 1563 Elizabeth I granted it to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, tea shops and unique artisan shops. who converted it into a lavish palace and created the stunning 9 29 The Square gardens. www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworth Abbey Fields Historic Park The modern façade replicates that of the King’s Arms & Castle 4 Hotel, which formerly stood on this site. Sir Walter Scott stayed A beautiful public open space forms the green heart of here in 1815 prior to writing his novel ‘Kenilworth’ and Charles Kenilworth linking the original part of the town with the new. Dickens is thought to have stayed here. The 68-acre parkland is rich in history and includes the remains of the historic Abbey, a lake, two children’s play areas, swimming pools, tennis courts, a trim trail, a café and heritage trails. www.warwickdc.gov.uk The Abbey of 5 St Mary the Virgin © Sue Steward The ruins of the Augustinian Priory, founded in 1119 and raised Millennium Walk to Abbey status in 1448 are located within Abbey Fields the site 10 Nature Reserves 2 is a scheduled ancient monument. The Tantara Gatehouse is and The Greenway still standing and will be opened in the near future to display the There are four local nature reserves in Kenilworth. All are managed through a partnership between Warwickshire Wildlife The Millennium Walk is a beautiful 6.5 mile circular walk artefacts currently stored there. Trust and Warwick District Council. starting at Kenilworth Castle. The trail is part of the 100 mile www.warwickdc.gov.uk/abbey Millennium Way across the Heart of England. This delightful trail Parliament Piece is a 14 acre ‘piece’ of open land just 5 minutes’ takes walkers past the most extensive castle ruins in England The Abbey Museum walk from Abbey Fields. It’s a wonderful peaceful open space with and explores farmland and open countryside and the site of 6 open grassland and tall trees for all to enjoy. Its name originates Henry V’s ‘Pleasance in the Marsh’ outside the castle. & Heritage Centre from the belief that Henry III’s Parliament met there in 1266. The Greenway is a short, 2.3 mile traffic free path and The Museum is open on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday Crackley Wood is an ancient woodland with a mixture of cycleway between Kenilworth and Burton Green which follows afternoons (2.30pm – 4.30pm) between Easter and woodland types, glades, ponds, ditches and boundary hedges. the National Sustrans Route 523 and links with Route 52 and mid-September. Free entry. www.khas.co.uk Within easy walk of the town centre, the hard surface path makes Route 6 in the area. The scenic route is great for wildlife lovers it accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The wood also links all the year round with sightings of rare flowers, insects, fungus St Nicholas’ Church to the Kenilworth to Berkswell Greenway opening up a 4 mile walk and wild birds in the hedgerows. 7 into the countryside. Further information on walking and cycling in the area can be This is Kenilworth’s oldest church, first referred to in 1291 and Knowle Hill is a diverse area of grassland, scrub and woodland found on the following websites: possibly built on the site of a Norman parish church. It is noted which is particularly important for butterflies. www.thegreenwaytrust.org.uk for its fine west doorway, reconstructed between 1550 and 1620 Kenilworth Common is a wooded common within the town. www.k2lcycleway.org using Norman material from the Abbey. It is documented that A pleasant place to be, just minutes from the town centre and an www.walking.41club.org Elizabeth I attended Divine Communion at the church in 1566, easy walk along the Finham Brook from Abbey Fields. www.sustrans.org.uk 1568 and 1572. www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk