An article from the news yesterday - 25th August 2004
The first stage of work has begun to repair a 16th Century gatehouse in the grounds of Kenilworth Castle.
Leicester's Gatehouse was built by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, as an entrance for Queen Elizabeth I.
The £450,000 project, which is being funded by English Heritage, is due to be completed in December.
A second phase of repair work to the interior of the Warwickshire attraction, which is currently closed to the public, will begin in 2005.
The aim is to restore the gatehouse as a suitable venue for public visits, educational use and corporate events.
Jesse Berridge, head of visitor operations for English Heritage in the West Midlands, said: "The gatehouse will be given a new lease of life and will play a key role in the future interpretation of Kenilworth Castle as a whole.
"Following the consolidation work, the building will be home to an important exhibition space, a gatehouse interpretation area and an education centre to ensure that future generations are aware of the role that this magnificent building has played in history and in the region."
Andrew
Full Version: Kenilworth Castle
interesting...I'm glad that there is preservation work being done.
Isn't it great when people finally figure out what they have and learn to take care of it?! How wonderful and exciting. It will be interesting to follow the progress of this one.
Now to see if I can find some pics of the castle before so I can get a little mental as to what will actually be involved. Thanks Andrew!
Now to see if I can find some pics of the castle before so I can get a little mental as to what will actually be involved. Thanks Andrew!
One of the many websites which may give you an idea.
http://tudorhistory.org/castles/kenilworth/gallery.html
plus the gatehouse.
http://tudorhistory.org/castles/kenilworth/gallery.html
plus the gatehouse.
... and one of my old postcards of Kenilworth Castle.
Found a couple of other sites that have a good deal of history and photos - incl. interior shots
History and Photos of Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle with photo gallery - great garden shots!
Kenilworth Photo Gallery
History and Photos of Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle with photo gallery - great garden shots!
Kenilworth Photo Gallery
and a few of my other old postcards of Kenilworth Castle in the Gallery (Warwickshire)
http://www.castleduncan.com/forum/index.ph..._album&album=17
http://www.castleduncan.com/forum/index.ph..._album&album=17
Great pics! Thanks
and a couple more old postcards of Kenilworth Castle, recently added to my collection.
News Article, 18th May 2005
£2.5M Proposals To Realise Hidden Potential of Kenilworth Castle
An ambitious scheme to recreate the lost Elizabethan garden at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire is at the heart of a multi-faceted development programme which English Heritage discussed with Kenilworth Town Council and other interested parties on 17th May.
The consultation will provide information and invite comments on the £2.5 million programme, which has four main components:
- a painstaking restoration of the Castle's original Elizabethan garden that Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, arduously created in 1575 to impress Queen Elizabeth I;
- construction of a new timber-framed visitor admissions and retail building closer to the main site entrance and car park;
- completion of the conservation and renovation of Leicester's Gatehouse, which will be open to the public for the first time in many decades; and
- creation of a permanent exhibition that recounts the colourful history of the site in the renovated Gatehouse.
Kenilworth Castle, reputedly the largest ruined castle in England and the setting for pageantry, romance and political intrigue for over eight centuries attracts some 95,000 visitors each year.
Last year, English Heritage discovered stunning archaeological evidence beneath the existing 1970s garden, including the rubble foundation of a fountain, a sill-beam structure that could possibly have supported one of the recorded arbours, and a soil layer which indicates levelling work made in preparation for the construction of the historic garden.
Experts are convinced that with more extensive archaeological and historical research, an accurate representation of the original magnificent Elizabethan garden, resplendent with a fountain and a bejewelled aviary, can be recreated.
There are currently two entrances to the site, both using incongruous modern buildings that impact negatively on the aesthetics of the monument, and which fail to offer adequate shelter and convenient retail services to visitors.
The Gatehouse, an imposing entrance specially built to impress Elizabeth, has also deteriorated over the years and public access is denied despite recent stabilisation work.
Loraine Knowles, English Heritage's Visitor Operations Director for the West, said: 'Kenilworth Castle has substantial unrealised potential to contribute to the local community and to promote people's understanding and enjoyment of history and the historic environment.
We are extremely excited by the plans that we are putting forward and are very keen to seek the opinion and support of as many people as possible.
It is one of English Heritage's most prestigious properties and we are determined to provide an experience and visitor facilities to match."
Restoration of lost Elizabethan garden
Prompted by last year's new archaeological finds and the prospect of damage to valuable archaeology deposits caused by modern planting a full excavation of the 'hard landscaping' elements of the former Elizabethan garden will begin this summer.
This will reveal further details of the fountain, whereabouts of the arbours, obelisks and other architectural features. Evidence of planting, however, is unlikely to survive.
English Heritage experts believe that all these findings, coupled with further garden and art historical research, will be sufficient to help them reconstruct the real Elizabethan garden, limiting speculation only to the planting scheme.
Reconstruction of the garden will begin in the summer of 2006, with a target public opening date at Easter 2007.
It will involve, first and foremost, the laying of a water permeable but root-resistant geotextile beneath the top soil to protect the archaeology,
Descriptions contained in a letter by Robert Laneham, a gentleman usher to Robert Dudley, perhaps provides the most vivid and enchanting impressions of the former garden in the Italianate Renaissance style.
It is one of two detailed contemporary accounts of the garden and will be closely studied and used by English Heritage in the restoration.
An extensive education and outreach programme is being planned to engage school children and interested members of the public throughout the excavation and restoration phases.
New visitor admission building
A new visitor admission building providing a single access point to the Castle is being planned at the Gallery Tower, adjacent to the visitors' car park.
It will replace the two existing separate entrances at Castle Green and Mortimer's Tower, which will be closed and their modern structures removed, resulting in considerable improvement to the appearance and integrity of the monument within the Castle walls.
The new building will be a long, low green-oak framed structure of vernacular design that draws inspiration from the varied traditions of timber buildings that would have been a feature of the site. Pad foundations will be used to minimise impact on the archaeology on the site of the Gallery Tower, and the building's size and height has been designed to avoid disruption of the vista along the Tilt Yard.
Welcoming and well equipped for its 21st century purpose, the building will provide enclosed queuing and ticketing, office space and staff welfare facilities. Retail space will also be integrated within the building, giving visitors a walk-through shopping experience.
Following public consultation English Heritage will make an application to the Warwick District Council, the local planning authority. If the application is successful, work will commence immediately with a target completion date of Easter 2006.
Permanent exhibition in the renovated Gatehouse
Work to the interior of the Gatehouse is underway after stabilisation work to the structure and conservation of its exterior was completed in March 2005.
By Easter 2006 all floors will have visitor access and improved welfare facilities. Usage and attraction of the Castle will be significantly boosted.
Plans include the housing of a new permanent exhibition on the second floor consisting of nationally important historical artefacts, panel displays, and other discreet means of introducing atmosphere themed around the spectacular festivities that took place when Elizabeth I visited the castle in 1575.
Meanwhile, the basement will provide a dramatic new space for schools and education groups and the ground floor, with its beautifully panelled room, will be available for civil weddings and community events. A new audio tour, introductory displays and site graphics to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of the whole site are also being planned.
Loraine Knowles said: 'All the components in the proposal are conceived with the ultimate aim to guarantee Kenilworth Castle a future as splendid as its past. We do apologise for the inconvenience that visitors will endure during the development.
We believe that the investment will pay off and bring about results that will reinforce the Castle's historical significance and enhance its attraction as a source for inspiration and enjoyment for generations to come.'
Kenilworth Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The Castle and the site of the Great Mere and Pleasaunce are Grade II* on the Register of Historic Gardens and Landscapes. The site has been in the guardianship of English Heritage since 1984. The freeholder is Kenilworth Town Council. The Local Planning Authority is Warwick District Council.
Working closely with renowned garden archaeologist Brian Dix, teams from English Heritage and Northamptonshire Archaeology conducted an archaeological and architectural evaluation of the site in autumn last year. The results clearly confirmed that the current garden, created in 1975, was modelled on a plan that was flawed but has been, until recently, generally accepted as correct.
More interestingly, the results identified a number of definite features indicating the survival of elements of the former garden laid out by Robert Dudley. Most notable is the central fountain, the off centre position of which in relation to the current garden indicates that the former garden was laid out differently, and was possibly smaller.
It is also clear from the excavation that the construction of the modern garden has begun to damage archaeological deposits. In one instance, the roots of clipped yew cones have penetrated 35cm to 40cm into the subsoil, causing disturbance to the buried archaeological layer.
From Laneham's description the garden was divided into four even quarters, with a carved stone pilaster in the centre of each one. Spread throughout were elaborate stone carvings, including obelisks, spheres and sculptures. There was an arbour at each end, and an elaborate birdcage built against the curtain wall.
At the centre of the garden was a marble fountain which Laneham describes in great detail.
An excerpt reads: "...A garden then so appointed, as wherein aloft upon sweet shadowed walk of terrace, in heat of summer, to feel the pleasant whisking wind above, or delectable coolness of the fountain-spring beneath, to taste of delicious strawberries, cherries, and other fruits, even from their stalks, to smell such fragrancy of sweet odours, breathing from plants, herbs, and flowers, to hear such natural melodious music and tunes of birds, to have in eye for mirth sometime these underspringing streams.... whereby, at one moment in one place, at hand without travel, to have so full fruition of so many of God's blessings, by entire delight unto all senses (if all can take) at once..."
£2.5M Proposals To Realise Hidden Potential of Kenilworth Castle
An ambitious scheme to recreate the lost Elizabethan garden at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire is at the heart of a multi-faceted development programme which English Heritage discussed with Kenilworth Town Council and other interested parties on 17th May.
The consultation will provide information and invite comments on the £2.5 million programme, which has four main components:
- a painstaking restoration of the Castle's original Elizabethan garden that Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, arduously created in 1575 to impress Queen Elizabeth I;
- construction of a new timber-framed visitor admissions and retail building closer to the main site entrance and car park;
- completion of the conservation and renovation of Leicester's Gatehouse, which will be open to the public for the first time in many decades; and
- creation of a permanent exhibition that recounts the colourful history of the site in the renovated Gatehouse.
Kenilworth Castle, reputedly the largest ruined castle in England and the setting for pageantry, romance and political intrigue for over eight centuries attracts some 95,000 visitors each year.
Last year, English Heritage discovered stunning archaeological evidence beneath the existing 1970s garden, including the rubble foundation of a fountain, a sill-beam structure that could possibly have supported one of the recorded arbours, and a soil layer which indicates levelling work made in preparation for the construction of the historic garden.
Experts are convinced that with more extensive archaeological and historical research, an accurate representation of the original magnificent Elizabethan garden, resplendent with a fountain and a bejewelled aviary, can be recreated.
There are currently two entrances to the site, both using incongruous modern buildings that impact negatively on the aesthetics of the monument, and which fail to offer adequate shelter and convenient retail services to visitors.
The Gatehouse, an imposing entrance specially built to impress Elizabeth, has also deteriorated over the years and public access is denied despite recent stabilisation work.
Loraine Knowles, English Heritage's Visitor Operations Director for the West, said: 'Kenilworth Castle has substantial unrealised potential to contribute to the local community and to promote people's understanding and enjoyment of history and the historic environment.
We are extremely excited by the plans that we are putting forward and are very keen to seek the opinion and support of as many people as possible.
It is one of English Heritage's most prestigious properties and we are determined to provide an experience and visitor facilities to match."
Restoration of lost Elizabethan garden
Prompted by last year's new archaeological finds and the prospect of damage to valuable archaeology deposits caused by modern planting a full excavation of the 'hard landscaping' elements of the former Elizabethan garden will begin this summer.
This will reveal further details of the fountain, whereabouts of the arbours, obelisks and other architectural features. Evidence of planting, however, is unlikely to survive.
English Heritage experts believe that all these findings, coupled with further garden and art historical research, will be sufficient to help them reconstruct the real Elizabethan garden, limiting speculation only to the planting scheme.
Reconstruction of the garden will begin in the summer of 2006, with a target public opening date at Easter 2007.
It will involve, first and foremost, the laying of a water permeable but root-resistant geotextile beneath the top soil to protect the archaeology,
Descriptions contained in a letter by Robert Laneham, a gentleman usher to Robert Dudley, perhaps provides the most vivid and enchanting impressions of the former garden in the Italianate Renaissance style.
It is one of two detailed contemporary accounts of the garden and will be closely studied and used by English Heritage in the restoration.
An extensive education and outreach programme is being planned to engage school children and interested members of the public throughout the excavation and restoration phases.
New visitor admission building
A new visitor admission building providing a single access point to the Castle is being planned at the Gallery Tower, adjacent to the visitors' car park.
It will replace the two existing separate entrances at Castle Green and Mortimer's Tower, which will be closed and their modern structures removed, resulting in considerable improvement to the appearance and integrity of the monument within the Castle walls.
The new building will be a long, low green-oak framed structure of vernacular design that draws inspiration from the varied traditions of timber buildings that would have been a feature of the site. Pad foundations will be used to minimise impact on the archaeology on the site of the Gallery Tower, and the building's size and height has been designed to avoid disruption of the vista along the Tilt Yard.
Welcoming and well equipped for its 21st century purpose, the building will provide enclosed queuing and ticketing, office space and staff welfare facilities. Retail space will also be integrated within the building, giving visitors a walk-through shopping experience.
Following public consultation English Heritage will make an application to the Warwick District Council, the local planning authority. If the application is successful, work will commence immediately with a target completion date of Easter 2006.
Permanent exhibition in the renovated Gatehouse
Work to the interior of the Gatehouse is underway after stabilisation work to the structure and conservation of its exterior was completed in March 2005.
By Easter 2006 all floors will have visitor access and improved welfare facilities. Usage and attraction of the Castle will be significantly boosted.
Plans include the housing of a new permanent exhibition on the second floor consisting of nationally important historical artefacts, panel displays, and other discreet means of introducing atmosphere themed around the spectacular festivities that took place when Elizabeth I visited the castle in 1575.
Meanwhile, the basement will provide a dramatic new space for schools and education groups and the ground floor, with its beautifully panelled room, will be available for civil weddings and community events. A new audio tour, introductory displays and site graphics to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of the whole site are also being planned.
Loraine Knowles said: 'All the components in the proposal are conceived with the ultimate aim to guarantee Kenilworth Castle a future as splendid as its past. We do apologise for the inconvenience that visitors will endure during the development.
We believe that the investment will pay off and bring about results that will reinforce the Castle's historical significance and enhance its attraction as a source for inspiration and enjoyment for generations to come.'
Kenilworth Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The Castle and the site of the Great Mere and Pleasaunce are Grade II* on the Register of Historic Gardens and Landscapes. The site has been in the guardianship of English Heritage since 1984. The freeholder is Kenilworth Town Council. The Local Planning Authority is Warwick District Council.
Working closely with renowned garden archaeologist Brian Dix, teams from English Heritage and Northamptonshire Archaeology conducted an archaeological and architectural evaluation of the site in autumn last year. The results clearly confirmed that the current garden, created in 1975, was modelled on a plan that was flawed but has been, until recently, generally accepted as correct.
More interestingly, the results identified a number of definite features indicating the survival of elements of the former garden laid out by Robert Dudley. Most notable is the central fountain, the off centre position of which in relation to the current garden indicates that the former garden was laid out differently, and was possibly smaller.
It is also clear from the excavation that the construction of the modern garden has begun to damage archaeological deposits. In one instance, the roots of clipped yew cones have penetrated 35cm to 40cm into the subsoil, causing disturbance to the buried archaeological layer.
From Laneham's description the garden was divided into four even quarters, with a carved stone pilaster in the centre of each one. Spread throughout were elaborate stone carvings, including obelisks, spheres and sculptures. There was an arbour at each end, and an elaborate birdcage built against the curtain wall.
At the centre of the garden was a marble fountain which Laneham describes in great detail.
An excerpt reads: "...A garden then so appointed, as wherein aloft upon sweet shadowed walk of terrace, in heat of summer, to feel the pleasant whisking wind above, or delectable coolness of the fountain-spring beneath, to taste of delicious strawberries, cherries, and other fruits, even from their stalks, to smell such fragrancy of sweet odours, breathing from plants, herbs, and flowers, to hear such natural melodious music and tunes of birds, to have in eye for mirth sometime these underspringing streams.... whereby, at one moment in one place, at hand without travel, to have so full fruition of so many of God's blessings, by entire delight unto all senses (if all can take) at once..."
QUOTE
It will involve, first and foremost, the laying of a water permeable but root-resistant geotextile beneath the top soil to protect the archaeology,
Are they going to renovate the old works or are they going to build on a new layer leaving the old untouched?
I'm a wee bit confused
I believe they are going to insert this layer so that roots of the new replica garden do not damage the archaeological remains beneath, although they do appear to be digging down first to check what is there. That is my interpretation.
No doubt there'll be more on this story within the next year or so, and I will try and post updates here.
No doubt there'll be more on this story within the next year or so, and I will try and post updates here.
So the way you see it as I do, they're going to only replicate the layout on a new strata layer of soil instead of rebuilding the original gardens.
Interesting but I'm not sure I can see going to all this trouble to only make a life size model instead bringing back the original.
With that in mind it makes me wonder what else they have fudged on as I've seen many castle restorations that left me wondering.
Interesting but I'm not sure I can see going to all this trouble to only make a life size model instead bringing back the original.
With that in mind it makes me wonder what else they have fudged on as I've seen many castle restorations that left me wondering.
Re-reading the article, they use words such as "recreate", "restore" and "reconstruct" when describing what they intend to do with the garden.
This could lead to misinterpretation, but I believe they intend to find out what the original was like, and then reconstruct the garden as close as possible to what was there before, using, as far as they are able, the original man-made portions(restored) and planting what they consider would have been planted in Elizabethan times. They can't bring back the original plants, but want to ensure anything they DO plant does not damage any archaeological remains buried beneath.
This could lead to misinterpretation, but I believe they intend to find out what the original was like, and then reconstruct the garden as close as possible to what was there before, using, as far as they are able, the original man-made portions(restored) and planting what they consider would have been planted in Elizabethan times. They can't bring back the original plants, but want to ensure anything they DO plant does not damage any archaeological remains buried beneath.
I apparently need more coffee because I still see a hiccup.
I can understand they intend to reconstruct the garden as close as possible, its the part where they say the vegetation they are now going to plant wont damage the remains beneath which led me to believe they are going to reconstruct this area on the present day soil level after the archaeological investigations are over.
Unless they think underneath the original garden level is possibly more undocumented finds. It's not unusual to put garden upon garden.
What was on the area before the present castle was built might be a better question I guess.
Like you said there will be more updates as work continues,
I need more coffee!
I can understand they intend to reconstruct the garden as close as possible, its the part where they say the vegetation they are now going to plant wont damage the remains beneath which led me to believe they are going to reconstruct this area on the present day soil level after the archaeological investigations are over.
Unless they think underneath the original garden level is possibly more undocumented finds. It's not unusual to put garden upon garden.
What was on the area before the present castle was built might be a better question I guess.
Like you said there will be more updates as work continues,
I need more coffee!
Plans of the castle, showing the location of the gardens.
... and a more detailed one of the inner bailey.
Thats some garden for sure.
This castle is a wee bit intriguing in some of its defensive designs.
Like the ruined foundation found in 1931 in one of the last images you put up.
I've never really taken a good in depth look at this castle before now, Thanks!
Thanks for sharing...great pics! 
From the BBC Website, 24th May 2005
Royal romantic garden recreated
More than £2m is being spent recreating the romantic garden Robert Dudley designed for Elizabeth I at Kenilworth Castle, in Warwickshire. Gardeners will be using archaeological evidence discovered last year beneath the existing 1970s garden to restore the area back to its former glory. The original garden was created by the Earl of Leicester in 1575 to impress the Queen on her visit to the castle.
Work on the garden is due to start next summer and finish in Easter 2007. English Heritage, which is behind the scheme, said after carrying out an evaluation of the site it discovered the current garden was modelled on an incorrect plan.
Bejewelled aviary
An education programme is being planned for schools and the public to get involved in the excavation and restoration. The garden will include a fountain and a bejewelled aviary.
John Watkins, head of gardens and landscape at English Heritage, said: "This is a truly fascinating and multifaceted project with something for everyone - from the garden archaeologist to a school child studying Tudor history. Above all, the pure pleasure to be derived from marvelling at human ingenuity, both past and present in creating and recreating such a beautiful garden, is going to be immense."
Royal romantic garden recreated
More than £2m is being spent recreating the romantic garden Robert Dudley designed for Elizabeth I at Kenilworth Castle, in Warwickshire. Gardeners will be using archaeological evidence discovered last year beneath the existing 1970s garden to restore the area back to its former glory. The original garden was created by the Earl of Leicester in 1575 to impress the Queen on her visit to the castle.
Work on the garden is due to start next summer and finish in Easter 2007. English Heritage, which is behind the scheme, said after carrying out an evaluation of the site it discovered the current garden was modelled on an incorrect plan.
Bejewelled aviary
An education programme is being planned for schools and the public to get involved in the excavation and restoration. The garden will include a fountain and a bejewelled aviary.
John Watkins, head of gardens and landscape at English Heritage, said: "This is a truly fascinating and multifaceted project with something for everyone - from the garden archaeologist to a school child studying Tudor history. Above all, the pure pleasure to be derived from marvelling at human ingenuity, both past and present in creating and recreating such a beautiful garden, is going to be immense."
Try this site for a 360 degree (not fahrenheit or centigrade, you barbs) panorama of the gardens.
http://www.360history.co.uk/keniworth_cast...dor_gardens.htm
http://www.360history.co.uk/keniworth_cast...dor_gardens.htm
From “Kenilworth Today”, 20th September 2005
An act of vandalism to a magnificent view?
English Heritage has a strange plan. It wishes to build a new ticket office and shop near the car park end of the tilt yard, writes Roy Johnston of Priory Road, Kenilworth.
One must ask why a body whose aim is to "care for historic properties on behalf of the nation" wishes to undertake this act of vandalism which will ruin the magnificent view and approach to the castle, the one taken by Queen Elizabeth I.
The planning application put forward by English Heritage attempts to justify the building by saying it will increase the efficiency and sales potential of the shop, and therefore the financial viability of the castle. In other words they are driven by profit not conservation.
At the moment, in Leicester's barn, there are tea rooms, a display area showing amongst other things models of how the castle looked in its heyday and a spacious and attractive shop. The close juxtaposition of these three areas must have commercial benefits, and young people rush back out into the castle with a newly purchased sword to play at being a knight of old.
English Heritage somehow believes having the shop at the entrance/exit will boost sales. Have they any evidence to support this assertion? Do they really think many people drive into the Brays car park not to visit the castle but merely cross it off their list of castles they have seen, but they will still rush to the shop to buy a postcard and a toy sword.
English Heritage thinks the new position will be more efficient. Why? Yes, the shop will also sell admission tickets, but since they have (currently) agreed not to fence off the tilt yard, they need to employ a ticket inspector where the current ticket office is located.
However, the current ticket office will be demolished, so this poor inspector will have to stand out in the rain. How long will it be before English Heritage say it needs to do away with this inspector but unfortunately this requires fencing off the tilt yard with ugly railings.
The planning application does not indicate the cost of the proposed building, but there must be better ways to spend the money on the castle, perhaps on some adequate toilet facilities.
I am appalled that at the planning meeting none of our own councillors raised any objection to the creation of this ugly building in a very sensitive location, the need for which has been asserted on completely unsubstantiated grounds. Let us hope Warwick District Council is more caring for the heritage of Kenilworth and refuses the planning application.
An act of vandalism to a magnificent view?
English Heritage has a strange plan. It wishes to build a new ticket office and shop near the car park end of the tilt yard, writes Roy Johnston of Priory Road, Kenilworth.
One must ask why a body whose aim is to "care for historic properties on behalf of the nation" wishes to undertake this act of vandalism which will ruin the magnificent view and approach to the castle, the one taken by Queen Elizabeth I.
The planning application put forward by English Heritage attempts to justify the building by saying it will increase the efficiency and sales potential of the shop, and therefore the financial viability of the castle. In other words they are driven by profit not conservation.
At the moment, in Leicester's barn, there are tea rooms, a display area showing amongst other things models of how the castle looked in its heyday and a spacious and attractive shop. The close juxtaposition of these three areas must have commercial benefits, and young people rush back out into the castle with a newly purchased sword to play at being a knight of old.
English Heritage somehow believes having the shop at the entrance/exit will boost sales. Have they any evidence to support this assertion? Do they really think many people drive into the Brays car park not to visit the castle but merely cross it off their list of castles they have seen, but they will still rush to the shop to buy a postcard and a toy sword.
English Heritage thinks the new position will be more efficient. Why? Yes, the shop will also sell admission tickets, but since they have (currently) agreed not to fence off the tilt yard, they need to employ a ticket inspector where the current ticket office is located.
However, the current ticket office will be demolished, so this poor inspector will have to stand out in the rain. How long will it be before English Heritage say it needs to do away with this inspector but unfortunately this requires fencing off the tilt yard with ugly railings.
The planning application does not indicate the cost of the proposed building, but there must be better ways to spend the money on the castle, perhaps on some adequate toilet facilities.
I am appalled that at the planning meeting none of our own councillors raised any objection to the creation of this ugly building in a very sensitive location, the need for which has been asserted on completely unsubstantiated grounds. Let us hope Warwick District Council is more caring for the heritage of Kenilworth and refuses the planning application.
That garden tour was excellent!! Thanks for sharing! 
Thanks for the garden link quite impressive in many ways.
I think they should fire several employees who dream up some of these new projects.
More then one has caught the ire of the people and the Heritage doesn't seem to care.
I think they should fire several employees who dream up some of these new projects.
More then one has caught the ire of the people and the Heritage doesn't seem to care.
From Kenilworth Today, 7th February 2006
A terrible eyesore in Kenilworth
So Kenilworth is finally waking up to the 'chicken hut' eyesore plonked in front of the castle, writes a concerned Kenilworth resident (name and address supplied).
How could our local councillors have seen nothing wrong in the erection of commercial premises, slap-bang across one of the finest views in England?
A terrible precedent has been set. If English Heritage can have their shop, ticket office and toilets in the Warwickshire Green Belt, why not Morrisons, Safeways or Poundland?
The essence of good planning is that it is the application, not the applicant, that should be considered. By bending over backwards to support English Heritage, the council has put the rest of our precious Green Belt in jeopardy.
I recall the views of one councillor who, having heard the English Heritage sales pitch, declared: "I'm not going to argue with people who know what they are talking about."
A lot of Kenilworth residents who love the castle knew perfectly well what we were talking about when we warned against this project and said the new building should be erected within the castle grounds, not on the Tiltyard.
A terrible eyesore in Kenilworth
So Kenilworth is finally waking up to the 'chicken hut' eyesore plonked in front of the castle, writes a concerned Kenilworth resident (name and address supplied).
How could our local councillors have seen nothing wrong in the erection of commercial premises, slap-bang across one of the finest views in England?
A terrible precedent has been set. If English Heritage can have their shop, ticket office and toilets in the Warwickshire Green Belt, why not Morrisons, Safeways or Poundland?
The essence of good planning is that it is the application, not the applicant, that should be considered. By bending over backwards to support English Heritage, the council has put the rest of our precious Green Belt in jeopardy.
I recall the views of one councillor who, having heard the English Heritage sales pitch, declared: "I'm not going to argue with people who know what they are talking about."
A lot of Kenilworth residents who love the castle knew perfectly well what we were talking about when we warned against this project and said the new building should be erected within the castle grounds, not on the Tiltyard.
From Kenilworth Today, 7th February 2006
The carbuncle at Kenilworth Castle
You will probably be inundated with letters on the subject of the carbuncle at Kenilworth Castle, and rightly so, writes Martin Harper of Elmdene Road, Kenilworth. It just shows that those in authority do not know best - but the rest of us have to live with their legacy.
The building appears to be ugly and quite definitely in the wrong place. A wonderful view lost for ever. I trust English Heritage do not raise any objections to other people who wish to develop anything near the castle. They have proved they lack the judgement required to make a good decision.
The carbuncle at Kenilworth Castle
You will probably be inundated with letters on the subject of the carbuncle at Kenilworth Castle, and rightly so, writes Martin Harper of Elmdene Road, Kenilworth. It just shows that those in authority do not know best - but the rest of us have to live with their legacy.
The building appears to be ugly and quite definitely in the wrong place. A wonderful view lost for ever. I trust English Heritage do not raise any objections to other people who wish to develop anything near the castle. They have proved they lack the judgement required to make a good decision.
From Kenilworth Today, 7th February 2006
English Heritage responds to criticism
Whilst of course respecting the views of the Kenilworth Historical and Archaeological Society (quoted in your recent article), I would like to take the opportunity to challenge a couple of points and to put the new admissions building at Kenilworth Castle into context, writes Tim Reeve of English Heritage.
Firstly, the views. Rather than destroying one of the finest views of the castle, we are altering the visitor route from the car park in a way which leads visitors past arguably the iconic view of the castle as they approach the admissions building from left to right.
At present, this is a view which most visitors miss as the primary route to the Gallery Tower is down the steps. That is not to say that we accept that we are destroying the existing view past, and from, the Gallery Tower at all, which will remain as I think your photograph demonstrates.
Secondly, this building is only one element of a very significant £2.5m programme of investment in the Castle by English Heritage. The location of the new building not only makes good sense on its own, it also frees up other key areas of the site which allow us to effect some dramatic changes in the presentation and interpretation of the site.
These improvements recognise not only that Kenilworth Castle is one of England's most important monuments but also that it is a significant driver for the local economy through tourism.
Finally, the design has been widely supported by experts and professionals within English Heritage and we received support from Kenilworth Town Council during our consultation process and lots of positive remarks following the consultation displays at the castle and in the town.
Furthermore it was considered for, and granted, planning permission as part of the usual democratic process, as well as being passed by our independent advisory committee. We are very pleased with the way the project is progressing and believe it to be a sympathetic and appropriate solution built in a form and of materials carefully chosen to be in keeping with the site.
I would suggest that we all wait until all elements of the project are complete before rushing to judgement.
English Heritage responds to criticism
Whilst of course respecting the views of the Kenilworth Historical and Archaeological Society (quoted in your recent article), I would like to take the opportunity to challenge a couple of points and to put the new admissions building at Kenilworth Castle into context, writes Tim Reeve of English Heritage.
Firstly, the views. Rather than destroying one of the finest views of the castle, we are altering the visitor route from the car park in a way which leads visitors past arguably the iconic view of the castle as they approach the admissions building from left to right.
At present, this is a view which most visitors miss as the primary route to the Gallery Tower is down the steps. That is not to say that we accept that we are destroying the existing view past, and from, the Gallery Tower at all, which will remain as I think your photograph demonstrates.
Secondly, this building is only one element of a very significant £2.5m programme of investment in the Castle by English Heritage. The location of the new building not only makes good sense on its own, it also frees up other key areas of the site which allow us to effect some dramatic changes in the presentation and interpretation of the site.
These improvements recognise not only that Kenilworth Castle is one of England's most important monuments but also that it is a significant driver for the local economy through tourism.
Finally, the design has been widely supported by experts and professionals within English Heritage and we received support from Kenilworth Town Council during our consultation process and lots of positive remarks following the consultation displays at the castle and in the town.
Furthermore it was considered for, and granted, planning permission as part of the usual democratic process, as well as being passed by our independent advisory committee. We are very pleased with the way the project is progressing and believe it to be a sympathetic and appropriate solution built in a form and of materials carefully chosen to be in keeping with the site.
I would suggest that we all wait until all elements of the project are complete before rushing to judgement.
Sadly it won't be the last time this will happen. The 2001 visitor centre at Arbroath Abbey also created a stir, but is now winning plaudits. I'm undecided on it.
http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/f...refirst109.html
http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/f...refirst109.html
From the Coventry Evening Telegraph, 16th March 2006
Neighbours fear noise from castle after drinks plea
Worried residents living in the shadow of Kenilworth Castle were set to find out today if an application for a massive extension to the liquor licence at the ruin is to be granted. The owner of the site, English Heritage, wants permission to sell alcohol on the site every day from 10am to 11pm, with an option to extend the licence to 1.30am for weddings, private functions and other events.
People living nearby fear it could spell the start of regular noisy gatherings and concerts at the castle site.
Margaret Lee, of Castle Hill, said: "It says the police would need to be consulted only for events attracting more than 500 people, so it covers everything you could think of, from pop concerts to major events. Parking is a major problem and when the fireworks display comes the roads are gridlocked."
But a letter sent to Ms Lee by English Heritage reassured her no gatherings of more than 50 people would be permitted and no extra events were planned. In a statement, a spokeswoman for English Heritage said events would be appropriate for Kenilworth and would not cause concern to neighbours.
Councillors on Warwick District licensing panel were to meet at Leamington Town Hall today to discuss the issue.
Neighbours fear noise from castle after drinks plea
Worried residents living in the shadow of Kenilworth Castle were set to find out today if an application for a massive extension to the liquor licence at the ruin is to be granted. The owner of the site, English Heritage, wants permission to sell alcohol on the site every day from 10am to 11pm, with an option to extend the licence to 1.30am for weddings, private functions and other events.
People living nearby fear it could spell the start of regular noisy gatherings and concerts at the castle site.
Margaret Lee, of Castle Hill, said: "It says the police would need to be consulted only for events attracting more than 500 people, so it covers everything you could think of, from pop concerts to major events. Parking is a major problem and when the fireworks display comes the roads are gridlocked."
But a letter sent to Ms Lee by English Heritage reassured her no gatherings of more than 50 people would be permitted and no extra events were planned. In a statement, a spokeswoman for English Heritage said events would be appropriate for Kenilworth and would not cause concern to neighbours.
Councillors on Warwick District licensing panel were to meet at Leamington Town Hall today to discuss the issue.
Trying to recoup their outlay on the visitor centre?
From Kenilworth Today, 13th April 2006
Castle charges 'cannot be stopped'
Despite protests against English Heritage creating a pay and display car park at the castle, councillors said they can't be stopped.
Audrey Siddley, the granddaughter of Lord Kenilworth, who gave the freehold of the castle to the people of Kenilworth in 1958, said she was outraged at the plans, which would see residents having to pay £2.50 to park there.
The 83-year-old said: "They do not own the castle. They don't have any right to do this."
But English Heritage has a 999-year lease.
Town Mayor Norman Vincett (Conservative, St John's) said: "Whilst the people of Kenilworth have the freehold they do not have possession of the castle. English Heritage are the guardians and they are the ones spending millions of pounds on the site for the advantage of the town.
"In 1958 when the castle was made over to the town there were not many cars around. When residents get a free pass into the castle it is for the individual, not for the car."
He said he could understand reasons behind the charge, particularly as decriminilisation of parking in the town could cause people to park in the Brays car park who do not intend to visit the castle. Other councillors are not happy about the plans but agree they will have to go along with it.
County Councillor Alan Cockburn (Conservative, St John's) said: "They control the site and can do what they like and we have got to go along with that.
"But they do not seem to have our interests at heart. They threw us out of the gatehouse where we used to have our meetings because they said it was dangerous."
County Councillor Dave Shilton (Liberal Democrat, Park Hill) added: "As far as I am concerned it belongs to Kenilworth. It was given to Kenilworth."
Councillor Vincett said the way to move forward is to work together with English Heritage and reach a compromise.
Castle charges 'cannot be stopped'
Despite protests against English Heritage creating a pay and display car park at the castle, councillors said they can't be stopped.
Audrey Siddley, the granddaughter of Lord Kenilworth, who gave the freehold of the castle to the people of Kenilworth in 1958, said she was outraged at the plans, which would see residents having to pay £2.50 to park there.
The 83-year-old said: "They do not own the castle. They don't have any right to do this."
But English Heritage has a 999-year lease.
Town Mayor Norman Vincett (Conservative, St John's) said: "Whilst the people of Kenilworth have the freehold they do not have possession of the castle. English Heritage are the guardians and they are the ones spending millions of pounds on the site for the advantage of the town.
"In 1958 when the castle was made over to the town there were not many cars around. When residents get a free pass into the castle it is for the individual, not for the car."
He said he could understand reasons behind the charge, particularly as decriminilisation of parking in the town could cause people to park in the Brays car park who do not intend to visit the castle. Other councillors are not happy about the plans but agree they will have to go along with it.
County Councillor Alan Cockburn (Conservative, St John's) said: "They control the site and can do what they like and we have got to go along with that.
"But they do not seem to have our interests at heart. They threw us out of the gatehouse where we used to have our meetings because they said it was dangerous."
County Councillor Dave Shilton (Liberal Democrat, Park Hill) added: "As far as I am concerned it belongs to Kenilworth. It was given to Kenilworth."
Councillor Vincett said the way to move forward is to work together with English Heritage and reach a compromise.
Kenilworth Castle in 1775 - from Grose's Antiquities.
Plans of Kenilworth Castle from the same source, 1776.
From Kenilworth Today, 14th June 2006
New lease of life for castle
Revamped Kenilworth Castle begins a new chapter in its history on Friday with the launch of a £2.5million project.
The main change sees the fine gatehouse - built in the 1500s by Sir Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester - opened to the public for the first time since the 1930s.
Visitors will have the chance to explore a suite of painstakingly-restored historic rooms. Curator Tori Reeve put them together based mainly on black and white photographic postcards made by the previous owners.
She said: "The gatehouse is a recreation of how it was when it was occupied by the Hames family. It took four months of ferreting around the country and on the internet finding furniture to bring these rooms together. It was a big challenge but it was a great chance to bring things out of our stores that would not otherwise be seen. It gives you a very good impression of what it would have been like when the Hames family lived here."
There are also artefacts from museums, galleries and collections, Kenilworth families and Christies auctioneers. Pewter has been shipped in from Holland. On the third floor there is an exhibition entitled Queen and Castle: Robert Dudley's Kenilworth. Highlights include rare portraits of Elizabeth I and Sir Dudley and a tapestry featuring his coat of arms.
There is also the chance to see correspondence between the two including Sir Dudley's last letter to Elizabeth, written six days before he died, which she kept in a casket by her bed until her own death.
Leicester's Stables has also been restored and features an interactive exhibition entitled The Castle and its People.
A new ticket office and shop has been opened on the Brays approach.
Rugby and Kenilworth MP Jeremy Wright said: "The castle has always been a huge asset for the people of Kenilworth and now it's an even greater one. It's better than I have ever known it. Not only have we got a great outdoor castle but an all-year-round castle. "It is a huge pleasure for people who live in the town to see it in its improved state."
English Heritage chief executive Simon Thurley said: "Kenilworth Castle is one of the most important and breathtaking ruined castles in England. Now, for the first time in over 30 years visitors can explore Leicester's magnificent gatehouse created for the famous visit of Elizabeth I. We are also extremely excited about the near completion of the archaeological excavation of the garden, originally created for Elizabeth I's visit in 1575."
The opening ceremony takes place on Thursday with historian Dr David Starkey and culture minister David Lammy.
New lease of life for castle
Revamped Kenilworth Castle begins a new chapter in its history on Friday with the launch of a £2.5million project.
The main change sees the fine gatehouse - built in the 1500s by Sir Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester - opened to the public for the first time since the 1930s.
Visitors will have the chance to explore a suite of painstakingly-restored historic rooms. Curator Tori Reeve put them together based mainly on black and white photographic postcards made by the previous owners.
She said: "The gatehouse is a recreation of how it was when it was occupied by the Hames family. It took four months of ferreting around the country and on the internet finding furniture to bring these rooms together. It was a big challenge but it was a great chance to bring things out of our stores that would not otherwise be seen. It gives you a very good impression of what it would have been like when the Hames family lived here."
There are also artefacts from museums, galleries and collections, Kenilworth families and Christies auctioneers. Pewter has been shipped in from Holland. On the third floor there is an exhibition entitled Queen and Castle: Robert Dudley's Kenilworth. Highlights include rare portraits of Elizabeth I and Sir Dudley and a tapestry featuring his coat of arms.
There is also the chance to see correspondence between the two including Sir Dudley's last letter to Elizabeth, written six days before he died, which she kept in a casket by her bed until her own death.
Leicester's Stables has also been restored and features an interactive exhibition entitled The Castle and its People.
A new ticket office and shop has been opened on the Brays approach.
Rugby and Kenilworth MP Jeremy Wright said: "The castle has always been a huge asset for the people of Kenilworth and now it's an even greater one. It's better than I have ever known it. Not only have we got a great outdoor castle but an all-year-round castle. "It is a huge pleasure for people who live in the town to see it in its improved state."
English Heritage chief executive Simon Thurley said: "Kenilworth Castle is one of the most important and breathtaking ruined castles in England. Now, for the first time in over 30 years visitors can explore Leicester's magnificent gatehouse created for the famous visit of Elizabeth I. We are also extremely excited about the near completion of the archaeological excavation of the garden, originally created for Elizabeth I's visit in 1575."
The opening ceremony takes place on Thursday with historian Dr David Starkey and culture minister David Lammy.
Three old prints of Kenilworth Castle recently added to my collection.
Very nice, I like the second one best.
At 99p for the three (plus 75p postage and packing), I thought they were a bargain.
WHATTTT!!!!!!????????? ******
A bargain? That's an understatement if ever I saw one!
A bargain? That's an understatement if ever I saw one!
It was on e-Bay - I just couldn't resist 
There can't be a profit for the sellers at that price.
It was a private seller. Maybe they hoped for a higher bid. They didn't get it.
Postcards of Kenilworth Castle recently added to my collection.
Two prints of Kenilworth Castle from 1829, courtesy of www.antiqueprints.co.uk.
An old postcard of Kenilworth Castle (moonlit) down-loaded from e-Bay.
Another moonlit picture postcard of Kenilworth Castle.
From icCoventry, 5th April 2007
You'll see garden as Queen saw it
Work on the re-creation of a lost Elizabethan garden at Kenilworth Castle should begin in late summer. English Heritage, which is ploughing £2.5million into the project, has spent the past two years carrying out extensive research into the scheme, including two seasons of archaeological investigation.
The original garden, containing a magnificent Renaissance fountain, jewelled bird aviary and orchards, was painstakingly created in 1575 by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, in a bid to impress Queen Elizabeth I and win her hand in marriage.
The research carried out has confirmed the accuracy of much of the detailed description of the garden given by Robert Langham, one of Dudley's ushers.
John Watkins, head of gardens and landscape at English Heritage, said: "The archaeological excavation and historical and literary research undertaken over the past two years will enable us to re-create one of the best understood 16th-century gardens in England. This research has also revealed a more complex and sumptuous garden than was first envisaged. Re-creating this Elizabethan garden will give pleasure to generations of visitors to Kenilworth Castle while providing an important education tool for children studying Tudor history. The process of understanding it, and of re-creating it, will add to current understanding of the culture and arts of this period."
Rugby and Kenilworth MP Jeremy Wright said: "Kenilworth Castle is a wonderful focus for interest in the Elizabethan period and a great asset for the town. I am confident that this recreated garden will make the castle an even more rewarding place to visit and bring more visitors to the town, which I welcome."
You'll see garden as Queen saw it
Work on the re-creation of a lost Elizabethan garden at Kenilworth Castle should begin in late summer. English Heritage, which is ploughing £2.5million into the project, has spent the past two years carrying out extensive research into the scheme, including two seasons of archaeological investigation.
The original garden, containing a magnificent Renaissance fountain, jewelled bird aviary and orchards, was painstakingly created in 1575 by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, in a bid to impress Queen Elizabeth I and win her hand in marriage.
The research carried out has confirmed the accuracy of much of the detailed description of the garden given by Robert Langham, one of Dudley's ushers.
John Watkins, head of gardens and landscape at English Heritage, said: "The archaeological excavation and historical and literary research undertaken over the past two years will enable us to re-create one of the best understood 16th-century gardens in England. This research has also revealed a more complex and sumptuous garden than was first envisaged. Re-creating this Elizabethan garden will give pleasure to generations of visitors to Kenilworth Castle while providing an important education tool for children studying Tudor history. The process of understanding it, and of re-creating it, will add to current understanding of the culture and arts of this period."
Rugby and Kenilworth MP Jeremy Wright said: "Kenilworth Castle is a wonderful focus for interest in the Elizabethan period and a great asset for the town. I am confident that this recreated garden will make the castle an even more rewarding place to visit and bring more visitors to the town, which I welcome."
From the Coventry Telegraph, 2nd May 2007
Castle prepares for royal visit
Kenilworth Castle is getting ready for the arrival of the Queen this weekend. The castle will be turning back the clock to 1575 and preparations for the visit of Queen Elizabeth I as part of an Elizabethan Extravaganza on Sunday and Monday.
Andrea Fox, territorial marketing manager for English Heritage, which runs the castle, said: "There was a very clear etiquette to visits by royalty in Tudor England and we know that Kenilworth's owner - and Elizabeth's sweetheart, Robert Dudley - spared no expense in preparing the castle for her arrival, including the construction of Leicester's Gatehouse to provide a new and impressive entrance to grace her majesty's arrival."
Activities start each day at 10.45am with lessons in Elizabethan courtesy, and displays of swordsmanship, fencing and archery. The action then moves to the skies with a presentation of falconry. There will also be re-enactments of hunting with lances and arrows and a demonstration from the Haute Ecole, the the high school of Elizabethan riding. Between arena events, visitors can enjoy Elizabethan music and join the courtiers in their singing and dancing.
For more details, call the castle on 01926 852 078.
Castle prepares for royal visit
Kenilworth Castle is getting ready for the arrival of the Queen this weekend. The castle will be turning back the clock to 1575 and preparations for the visit of Queen Elizabeth I as part of an Elizabethan Extravaganza on Sunday and Monday.
Andrea Fox, territorial marketing manager for English Heritage, which runs the castle, said: "There was a very clear etiquette to visits by royalty in Tudor England and we know that Kenilworth's owner - and Elizabeth's sweetheart, Robert Dudley - spared no expense in preparing the castle for her arrival, including the construction of Leicester's Gatehouse to provide a new and impressive entrance to grace her majesty's arrival."
Activities start each day at 10.45am with lessons in Elizabethan courtesy, and displays of swordsmanship, fencing and archery. The action then moves to the skies with a presentation of falconry. There will also be re-enactments of hunting with lances and arrows and a demonstration from the Haute Ecole, the the high school of Elizabethan riding. Between arena events, visitors can enjoy Elizabethan music and join the courtiers in their singing and dancing.
For more details, call the castle on 01926 852 078.
Nine old postcards of Kenilworth Castle, recently purchased.
From the Leamington Courier, 28th September 2007
A new garden for Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle's lost Elizabethan garden will begin to take shape in October when the first of the turf is cut. During the next three months the structure and basic layout of the garden will be formed, while work will begin on the construction of the architectural features and the creation of the sculptural elements. By the end of the year, the overall configuration of the garden will be established and its final appearance will have begun to emerge.
The construction of the aviary, arbours and obelisks will commence in the New Year, leaving the planting to take place in the springtime before the garden is previewed to the public in the summer of 2008. Once the fountain is placed in spring 2009, the garden will be formally launched.
Over the next three months work will include establishing the contractors' compound, creating the contractors' access in and out of the garden site, setting out the positions of the main architectural features of the garden, including the aviary, arbours and obelisks. Other jobs are laying the base for the marble fountain, which had been the centrepiece of the Elizabethan garden, forming the terrace and setting out, excavating and laying the base layers for the pathways.
John Watkins, head of gardens and landscape at English Heritage, said: "We are delighted that we have reached the stage at which the plans for the garden are finally beginning to be visually realised. This is an ambitious but fascinating project that will once again place the garden at the heart of the castle site and be a true spectacle for visitors and local residents to enjoy for generations to come."
In 2004 archaeological evidence discovered beneath the then 1970s garden suggested that an accurate reconstruction of the original Elizabethan layout created by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester for the visit of Queen Elizabeth I in 1575, was possible.
Thorough archaeological surveys also revealed the 1970s garden design was flawed and inaccurate and was penetrating and disturbing the archaeological foundations. The comprehensive excavation and intensive research that followed allowed English Heritage experts to develop an even better understanding of the original design and the arrangement of the architectural features, the fountain, arbours, obelisks and aviary - that Dudley employed to impress the queen.
A new garden for Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle's lost Elizabethan garden will begin to take shape in October when the first of the turf is cut. During the next three months the structure and basic layout of the garden will be formed, while work will begin on the construction of the architectural features and the creation of the sculptural elements. By the end of the year, the overall configuration of the garden will be established and its final appearance will have begun to emerge.
The construction of the aviary, arbours and obelisks will commence in the New Year, leaving the planting to take place in the springtime before the garden is previewed to the public in the summer of 2008. Once the fountain is placed in spring 2009, the garden will be formally launched.
Over the next three months work will include establishing the contractors' compound, creating the contractors' access in and out of the garden site, setting out the positions of the main architectural features of the garden, including the aviary, arbours and obelisks. Other jobs are laying the base for the marble fountain, which had been the centrepiece of the Elizabethan garden, forming the terrace and setting out, excavating and laying the base layers for the pathways.
John Watkins, head of gardens and landscape at English Heritage, said: "We are delighted that we have reached the stage at which the plans for the garden are finally beginning to be visually realised. This is an ambitious but fascinating project that will once again place the garden at the heart of the castle site and be a true spectacle for visitors and local residents to enjoy for generations to come."
In 2004 archaeological evidence discovered beneath the then 1970s garden suggested that an accurate reconstruction of the original Elizabethan layout created by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester for the visit of Queen Elizabeth I in 1575, was possible.
Thorough archaeological surveys also revealed the 1970s garden design was flawed and inaccurate and was penetrating and disturbing the archaeological foundations. The comprehensive excavation and intensive research that followed allowed English Heritage experts to develop an even better understanding of the original design and the arrangement of the architectural features, the fountain, arbours, obelisks and aviary - that Dudley employed to impress the queen.
From the Coventry Telegraph, 19th December 2007
Rare glimpse into Kenilworth Castle visit by Queen Elizabeth
A fascinating insight into Kenilworth Castle in its pomp when Queen Elizabeth I was entertained with a lavish party has been uncovered by a Warwick University researcher.
Dr. Elizabeth Goldring, an expert on Elizabethan court culture, has transcribed and published for the first time the full details of an inventory of the castle written in 1578. It's a full list and description of the contents of the castle when the Queen's favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, turned the castle into the one of the country's greatest Elizabethan houses in a bid to win the Queen's hand in marriage.
The three-week party in 1575 is one of the Coventry and Warwickshire region's best known historic moments. The inventory - published for the first time in this month's English Heritage Historical Review - reveals that Dudley commissioned four portrait paintings of himself and the Queen for the lavish event, which included music, morris dancing, bear-baiting, hunting, banquets and extravagant firework displays.
Three of the four paintings are being displayed at Kenilworth Castle for the exhibition "Queen and Castle: Robert Dudley's Kenilworth".
The inventory also lists a chessboard of black ebony with checkers, crystals and other stones, the tusk of a sea bear, and curtains of crimson satin striped with a bone lace of gold and silver. The earl's initials and bear-and-ragged-staff coat-of-arms are emblazoned on anything from chairs to bed linen. The British Library purchased the inventory manuscript in 1995 from Christ Church, Oxford.
Dr. Goldring said: "Given that the 1575 Kenilworth entertainments are usually understood as part of a strategy by which Leicester sought to persuade the Queen to marry him, it must almost certainly be the case that the earl's audacious decision to commission and display a quartet of paintings of himself and Elizabeth at the castle was part and parcel of that strategy."
She continued: "This document offers an unusually rich insight into the material culture of the Elizabethan elite. It also fleshes out our knowledge of Kenilworth Castle at about the time of the celebrated 1575 festivities, which, for more than 400 years, have been regarded as the high-water mark of Elizabethan court culture."
Rare glimpse into Kenilworth Castle visit by Queen Elizabeth
A fascinating insight into Kenilworth Castle in its pomp when Queen Elizabeth I was entertained with a lavish party has been uncovered by a Warwick University researcher.
Dr. Elizabeth Goldring, an expert on Elizabethan court culture, has transcribed and published for the first time the full details of an inventory of the castle written in 1578. It's a full list and description of the contents of the castle when the Queen's favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, turned the castle into the one of the country's greatest Elizabethan houses in a bid to win the Queen's hand in marriage.
The three-week party in 1575 is one of the Coventry and Warwickshire region's best known historic moments. The inventory - published for the first time in this month's English Heritage Historical Review - reveals that Dudley commissioned four portrait paintings of himself and the Queen for the lavish event, which included music, morris dancing, bear-baiting, hunting, banquets and extravagant firework displays.
Three of the four paintings are being displayed at Kenilworth Castle for the exhibition "Queen and Castle: Robert Dudley's Kenilworth".
The inventory also lists a chessboard of black ebony with checkers, crystals and other stones, the tusk of a sea bear, and curtains of crimson satin striped with a bone lace of gold and silver. The earl's initials and bear-and-ragged-staff coat-of-arms are emblazoned on anything from chairs to bed linen. The British Library purchased the inventory manuscript in 1995 from Christ Church, Oxford.
Dr. Goldring said: "Given that the 1575 Kenilworth entertainments are usually understood as part of a strategy by which Leicester sought to persuade the Queen to marry him, it must almost certainly be the case that the earl's audacious decision to commission and display a quartet of paintings of himself and Elizabeth at the castle was part and parcel of that strategy."
She continued: "This document offers an unusually rich insight into the material culture of the Elizabethan elite. It also fleshes out our knowledge of Kenilworth Castle at about the time of the celebrated 1575 festivities, which, for more than 400 years, have been regarded as the high-water mark of Elizabethan court culture."
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