フィナムの洞窟・トップ4

The area surrounding Castle Green offers picturesque views of the castle ruins and a greenery for visitors interested in England's rich history and architecture

Robert Langham (C16) - "The Castle has the name of Killingwoorth, but if truth grounded upon faithful story, Kenelwoorth [Kenilworth]. It stands in Warwickshire, a 74 mile North-West from London, and as it were in the navel of England, four mile somewhat South from Coventry a proper city, and a like distance from Warwick, a fair Shire town on the North. In air sweet and wholesome, raised on an easy-mounted hill, is set evenly coasted with the front straight into the East, has the tenants and town about it, that pleasantly shifts from dale to hill, sundry wherewith sweet springs burst forth; and is so plentiful and well sorted on every side into arable, meadow, pasture, wood, water, and good air, as it appears to have need of nothing that may pertain to living or pleasure."

Leicester’s Gatehouse, built by Robert Dudley on the north side of the base court, provided a grand new entrance to the castle, and gave access via a long bridge to the hunting ground created by Dudley north of the mere. After the Civil War, the building was converted into a residence, using stonework and interiors from elsewhere in the castle. Currently, the building houses an exhibition, which focuses mainly on Dudley and Queen Elizabeth.

Much of the right-hand court is occupied by the privy garden created by Dudley for the queen. Now known as the Elizabethan Garden, it has been recreated on the basis of archaeological evidence and an account of the 1575 festivities by Robert Langham. The two arbours, one at each end of the terrace, described by Langham as ‘perfumed with sweet trees and flowers’, are now planted with scented plants (vines, honeysuckle, sweet musk rose). The garden is divided into quarters, with a pierced obelisk at the centre of each. Each quarter is subdivided into two knots, defined by low privet hedges, wit patterns of planting based on contemporary Flemish drawings. All the flowering plants used were popular in Elizabeth’s day (carnations, pinks, stocks, wallflowers) and the focal points of the knots are small trees and shrubs. At the centre of the garden is a spectacular fountain in Carrara marble. The faces of the octagonal basin are carved with scenes from Ovid’s Metamorphoses.

The dam was probably constructed in three phases; initially circa 1125, then subsequently raised by King John and lastly the western lane and bridge possibly 17th century. It is not known when the castle’s great defensive lake, created by the dam, was first called a Mere nor when the breach, shown here being repaired in 1964, was first called Hawkesworth’s Gap. At the end of the Civil War in 1649, Cromwell’s Parliamentarians were determined to ensure that the former Royalist strongholds would never again provide a safe haven for those who opposed the new republican parliament’s powers. So, Colonel Joseph Hawkesworth, MP was appointed to ‘slight’ or damage the castle beyond repair and it is said he breached the Tiltyard to drain the mere as part of the slighting.

Although much of it is still in ruins, it is definitely worth the visit, very accessible from the centre and with a good car park (paid) next to it. The castle, which was built between the beginning of Norman rule in England and the Tudor period, played a significant role in history.

Owned by English Heritage it has an interesting history

Fantastic Castle, and a quick walk around the outside of the battlements at the start of this walk allows you to see what an imposing fortification this really is. Putting yourself in the place of someone laying siege to this Castle, its easy to see how much of a disadvantage you would be at even today. We didn't go inside the Castle, but it looks to be well run and lots of families were enjoying the Castle activities.