Kenilworth is a small market town in Warwickshire. Within striking distance of Birmingham, Coventry, Leamington and Warwick, but retaining its small town charm Kenilworth has plenty to offer both residents and visitors.
Welcome back to Kenilworth
Shops and town centre businesses are reopening and keen to get back to business. The coronavirus crisis and lockdown saw many having to close their doors a few months ago. They are now ready to welcome you back as you return to the shops and businesses you’ve missed during this period. Exciting times, but just be mindful that your shopping and retail experience will not be quite the same as it was before.
Parking
Parks and green spaces
Parks and green spaces remain open in the district. However, many communal facilities are closed and there are a set of guidelines to reduce social interaction.
Parks and green spaces guidelines
Public conveniences
All of the district's public toilets are open between 8am and 5pm, with increased deeper cleans.
Market
Visit our Markets page to get information on the local market re-opening.
Retail Directory
Kenilworth Chamber of Trade have a useful directory of Kenilworth retailers.
History and heritage
Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden
From Medieval fortress to an Elizabethan palace, Kenilworth Castle has been at the centre of England’s affairs for much of its 900 year history. Today, it stands as England’s largest ruined castle where you can scale the heights of the tower built to woo Queen Elizabeth I, marvel at the mighty Norman keep and imagine the majesty of the Great Hall playing host to medieval monarchs and early Tudor kings.
Little Virginia
The hamlet of Little Virginia originally consisted of fifteen cottages, which date from the 17th century. The claim to fame of these picturesque thatched cottages is the tradition that the first potatoes brought to England were planted in this location by Sir Walter Raleigh.
Kenilworth’s Old Town
Old Town is a stunning example of English history. You can find numerous examples of listed buildings on High Street - all in excellent condition.
St Nicholas’ Church
This is Kenilworth’s oldest church, first referred to in 1291. It is noted for its fine west doorway, reconstructed between 1550 and 1620 using Norman material from the Abbey.
The Abbey of St. Mary the Virgin
The Abbey Fields contain the ruins of the Augustinian Priory, founded in 1119 and raised to Abbey status in 1448. The Abbey was surrendered to King Henry VIII’s commissioners in 1538, and subsequently stripped of re-usable material.
The Clock Tower
The tower, at the end of The Square, was presented to the town in 1906 by G.M.Turner in memory of his wife. The top of the tower was damaged in November 1940 by the land mine which destroyed the nearby Globe Hotel and the surrounding area of Abbey End.
29 The Square
The modern façade here replicates that of the King’s Arms & Castle Hotel, which formerly stood on this site. Sir Walter Scott stayed here in 1815 whilst writing his novel ‘Kenilworth’.
Tourist attractions
The Millennium Trail
The Millennium Trail is a circular walk that starts and ends by the Bray’s car park at Kenilworth Castle. This delightful trail takes walkers past the most extensive castle ruins in England. The route is marked with small wood and stone carvings.
Abbey Fields Historic Park and Play Area
A gorgeous public open space attracting visitors from miles around, which forms the green heart of Kenilworth. The 68 acres include an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a lake, two children’s play areas, tennis courts and heritage trails. The Abbey Fields are also rich in history, with the remains of an historic Abbey.
The Abbey Barn Museum
The Abbey Barn museum is found amongst the ruins of the Abbey in the Abbey Fields, open on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday afternoons (2.30 – 4.30pm) between Easter and mid-September.
Contemporary shopping
Enjoy the charm of Castle Hill and High Street with its independent restaurants, bars and shops. A short walk across the beautiful Abbey Fields is the centre of modern Kenilworth. Warwick Road and Abbey End host a wide variety of big name shops and independent stores, whilst Talisman and Millar Court offer further shopping opportunities to explore and enjoy.
Fabulous food
Kenilworth has a reputation for top quality food at the many restaurants, bistros and bars which can be found in the town centre and the Old Town.
Talisman Theatre and The Priory Theatre
The town is well served by two excellent theatres, the Talisman and the Priory. Both are centrally located and put on a programme of plays, musicals and shows.
Accessibility guide
Warwick District Council and AccessAble offer a free online service to provide detailed accessibility information about places in the local area.