The vast and mighty Kenilworth Castle was a prestigious royal castle during the medieval period. The original 12th century Norman keep, which still stands today, was supplemented over subsequent centuries by an enormous mere (man-made lake) and large hunting park, along with additional buildings, all constructed of the local red sandstone.

In the fourteenth century, John of Gaunt, son of Edward III, acquired this Lancastrian stronghold through his first wife, Blanche of Lancaster.  Inspired by his father’s work at Windsor Castle, Gaunt undertook substantial building works, turning the great fortress into a luxurious royal residence.  The magnificent Great Hall he created, approached up a massive set of stairs, with a hammer beam roof and cathedral-like windows, was of a similar scale and design to the Great Halls at Windsor Castle and Westminster.

The castle passed into Crown ownership when it was inherited by John of Gaunt’s son, Henry IV. It was a favoured residence of both Henry VII, who visited regularly, and Henry VIII, who built a timber range there, closing the inner ward to the east.  Edward VI granted Kenilworth to John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland in early 1553 and Northumberland commissioned a large stable block that was constructed in Base Court, against the curtain wall, prior to his execution for treason in August 1553.

Kenilworth reverted to Crown ownership again until 1563 when Elizabeth I granted the castle to her favourite, Robert Dudley (Northumberland’s son). Dudley, made Earl of Leicester the following year, spent enormous sums of money remodelling the castle and creating a large four storey tower, with a new suite of privy lodgings, for Elizabeth’s use.

Elizabeth I made four visits to Kenilworth, spending 19 days there as part of her summer progress in 1575.  Leicester arranged an extravaganza of entertainment for this famous visit, and developed a large formal garden with a bejewelled aviary, raised terrace walk, marble fountain, obelisks and colourful, abundant planting for Elizabeth’s private use. Although the original garden is now long gone, English Heritage has re-created it on the same site.

The castle was partially destroyed on the orders of Parliament in 1649, after the Civil War. Leicester’s Gatehouse and the Tudor stables remain intact and they, along with the castle’s substantial ruins, can be visited today. Staircases and viewing platforms installed by English Heritage make it possible to stand at the top of Leicester’s ruined tower and look out over the surrounding countryside, much as Elizabeth I would have done some 450 years ago.