Kenilworth

Kenilworth is "in the heart of the historic heart of England," and it's our beloved hometown.  It's a charming little medieval town built around a huge castle.  Kenilworth Castle was the home to some really important dudes in English history, and some momentous events happened here.

Past residents include: Prince John "the phony King of England," King Henry V, and Robert Dudley, Queen Elizabeth's "favorite" (wink wink).  

One of the coolest things that happened here was when castle resident Simon De Montfort staged a revolt against King Henry III, his brother in law.  Simon de Montfort died in a battle just outside Kenilworth, and his followers ran back to the castle to hide.  Henry III followed them, and staged the longest seige in English history!  He camped out for six months, slowly starving out the men in the castle  (at the castle, you can see the massive stone balls Henry launched over the walls with a trebuchet).  When Simon's son finally got desperate, he escaped under cover of night by swimming the moat in his nightshirt, leaving everybody else behind to starve and eventually surrender.  

Now the castle is in ruins and the moat has become rolling green countryside.  Visiting the castle is haunting, awe inspiring, and so cool!  Nearby, the town's quaint streets are peppered with thatched roof cottages and quaint shops.  Stop by "Time for Tea" for the tiny local tea room experience.  The town's huge Abbey Fields are also adjacent to the castle.  These are the grounds of a 12th century monastery, which was once one of the richest in England before Henry VIII destroyed it.  What's left is a stunning church about a thousand years old, a beautiful pond, and scattered ruins of the monastery lying among ancient tombstones.  The surrounding countryside is prime land for long country walks, picnics, wooded strolls, birdwatching, and reveling in the beauty of the lush countryside .  Kenilworth is Heaven on earth.

Recommended Places to Stay:
Families or big groups who want to stay a while should seek out one of the holiday cottages on High Street.  The Wren's Nest, Jackdaw Cottage, and The Christmas Cottage are all in prime locations.  Well-placed hotels include The Old Bakery and Milsoms Hotel.

Recommended reading:

 Kenilworth by Sir Walter Scott tells the story of Robert Dudley, his romance with Queen Elizabeth, and his wife's mysterious death.  Scott wrote it while staying in the Kings Arms and Castle Hotel in Kenilworth.

Recommended Movies: