Attractions, tourism in Kenilworth and surrounding areas
Kenilworth is a delightful town with some of the most magnificent castle ruins in the country, a good selection of small local shops and superb choice of places to eat and drink.
Discover the ruined glory of Elizabethan England amid the red sandstone ruins of Kenilworth Castle. Hear of lovers' trysts, bloody battles and water pageants. Visit Leicester's Gatehouse, closed since 1958 but now reopened, following a £2.5m restoration project. The gatehouse includes a major exhibition exploring the connections between Kenilworth and Elizabeth I. Be sure to visit the restored gardens at Kenilworth Castle.
From the castle, stroll through Abbey Fields with its lake, remains of an historic abbey, swimming pool (both indoors and outdoors) and children's play area. See the cottages of 'Little Virginia' where Sir Walter Raleigh planted England's first potatoes.
Around the town, castle and abbey ruins there are a number of gentle walks. And plenty of places to stop for refreshment. Kenilworth is a favourite for locals and visitors alike with its restaurants and pubs. Its excellent selection of restaurants offers something different for every night of the week!
A calendar of events attract locals and visitors throughout the year. Enjoy local, farmers and French markets. Kenilworth Carnival is one of the few still held in the area and the Kenilworth Lions Show in Abbey Fields and Kenilworth Round Table's Fireworks at the Castle are popular with both locals and visitors. The Boxing Day duck race in Abbey Fields is also a great opportunity to get some fresh air during the festive season!
Kenilworth Castle - one of England’s most spectacular castle ruins
Abbey Fields - Abbey Fields is Kenilworth's main park and is set in the dramatic valley of the Finham Brook and enjoys views of the castle and the parish church
Kenilworth War Memorial - The Kenilworth War Memorial at the top of Abbey Fields looking down the main road to Warwick was dedicated on Sunday, February 26th, 1922
St Nicholas' Church - St Nicholas' Church is situated in High Street, and looks out over Abbey Fields. The exact date of its founding isn't known, but by 1291 it was in the patronage of the Priory of Kenilworth
Abbey Fields Swimming Pool - 25m x 10m indoor pool and an outdoor pool that is open from May to September each year
The Priory Theatre - The Priory Theatre is a self funding theatre that is run by its members for the benefit of the local community
Talisman Theatre & Arts Centre - The Talisman Theatre Company was founded in 1942
St Johns House Museum - St John's House Museum occupies the ground floor of a 17th century historic house
Warwick Castle - 60 acres of landscaped grounds and gardens, which include the beautiful Peacock Garden and Conservatory, the Victorian Rose Garden and Pageant Field
Hatton Country World - Farm Village entertainment and shopping village
Hill Close Gardens - Group of restored hedged gardens with delightful summerhouses
Royal Leamington Spa - The stylish Regency and Georgian architecture provides a superb setting together with the tree lined avenues and squares
Jephson Gardens - Jephson Gardens and Mill Gardens in the heart of Leamington Spa
Royal Pump Rooms - The historic Royal Pump Rooms have been redeveloped to create a cultural complex worthy of the 21st century
Stoneleigh Abbey - Stoneleigh Abbey's history began in 1154 when Henry II granted the lands to a community of Cistercian monks who built a small but prosperous Abbey on the site
Stratford upon Avon - A taste of Olde England and the birthplace of William Shakespeare
Kenilworth restaurants
Bilash Indian Cuisine - Traditional Indian cooking, using only the finest of ingredients, to create the very tastiest of curry and Balti dishes.
Harringtons on the Hill - Simon Steele wrote in his restaurant review, "Eating out can be as cheap or expensive as you want, but pound for pound it won't come much better than this."
La Cucina Ristorante - Family run restaurant, serving traditional and modern italian food with some Sardinian specialities
Raffles Malaysian Restaurant - Raffles in Kenilworth is Britain's first colonial Malaysian restaurant offering varied and exquisite cuisines of the Malaysian Malays, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil Indians
Petit Gourmand - Kenilworth’s double award-winning French restaurant
Coconut Lagoon Restaurant - Britain's first South Indian restaurant brings the truly outstanding and varied cuisines of Kerala, Goa, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
The Cross At Kenilworth - Shine Awards Winner Best Midlands Food Experience 2004, 2005