This practical guide is aimed at first-time visitors to Kenilworth Castle and its Elizabethan garden. Find out how to get there, current ticket prices and opening hours, parking and accessibility, the best times to visit, and nearby sites to combine into the same day.
Kenilworth Castle: a short history
Kenilworth Castle is one of the largest and most impressive ruined castles in England, with origins in the Norman period. Over the centuries it was expanded into a fortress of national significance, playing a role in the civil wars of the medieval period.
The castle is best known for its transformation under Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, who remodelled it in the 1570s to impress Queen Elizabeth I. His additions included grand new lodgings and an ornate Elizabethan garden, designed to dazzle his royal guest. Today, visitors can explore both the medieval stronghold and the remains of Dudley’s Renaissance vision.
How to get to Kenilworth Castle and where to park
The castle sits on Castle Road in Kenilworth (CV8 1NG), about 9 miles from Coventry and 20 miles from Birmingham. Kenilworth railway station is around a 25-minute walk away, and local buses serve the town centre, which is within walking distance of the site.
For drivers, there is an on-site car park next to the visitor centre. Parking is free for English Heritage members, but a small fee is payable for non-members. Additional public car parks are available in Kenilworth town centre if the main car park is full. A drop-off point is provided near the entrance.
Why choose the Warwickshire Explorer Pass?
- ⏱ Flexible options—choose 1, 2, or 3-day passes to suit your itinerary
- 📱 Includes a handy booking app to manage your visits and scan the QR code at each attraction
- 🏰 Access top attractions like Warwick Castle, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Kenilworth Castle, Stratford Butterfly Farm, the MAD Museum, the British Motor Museum, and more
- 💸 Big savings—easily save £30–£40 per person over individual admissions
- ⛳ Design your own sightseeing route—visit at your own pace and skip the lines
- ⭐ Highly rated with a solid average of 4.7 stars from visitor reviews
Opening hours and ticket prices
Kenilworth Castle opening hours
Kenilworth Castle is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm during spring and summer, with last admission at 4 pm.
In the winter season, opening is usually – but not always – reduced to weekends only, typically 10 am to 4 pm, with last admission at 3 pm. Given the somewhat eccentric opening calendar, it’s worth checking on the English Heritage website before planning a visit.
Kenilworth Castle ticket prices
Kenilworth Castle’s ticket prices are also all over the place, and change seasonally. Some dates are regarded as ‘standard’, others ‘saver’ or ‘supersaver’. There’s also a 15% discount for booking online.
The prices listed below are the supersaver prices – which is most days outside of the summer peak – bought online without a Gift Aid donation as of September 2025. Again, though, check the website to see what price the magic fee tombola throws up when you plan to visit.
- Adult: £13.10
- Child (5–17 years): £8.10
- Concession: £11.80
- Family (1 adult + up to 3 children): £21.20
- Family (2 adults + up to 3 children): £34.30
Entry is free for English Heritage members, however.
Is it worth paying for English Heritage membership?
Entry prices for English Heritage sites, including Dover Castle, Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle, can seem extremely expensive. This is clearly a deliberate ploy to push visitors towards taking out annual English Heritage membership.
Membership gives free access to more than 400 sites across the country, and costs £82. That is, unless you get a special deal – there was a 25%-off Black Friday deal in November 2025, for example.
Whether that £82 is worth it depends on how many sites are near you (there are lots in the south of the country, not so many near me in Yorkshire). And, critically, whether you’re going to visit them with children.
Each member can take up to six children with them free of charge. Given the steep one-time entry fees, an adult member with two children is likely to recoup the cost of their membership by visiting just two or three sites within the year.
For an individual without children, I’d say English Heritage membership is worth it only if you’re planning to blitz a few sites in one year. For an individual with children, membership is a smart investment that will likely pay itself back within one school holiday. To me, it’s a no-brainer.
The real question is whether it’s worth renewing English Heritage membership after a year. That’s debatable, as you’re unlikely to go to many of these sites twice. I eventually renewed after I was offered 20% off the price. I’ll probably recoup the membership price visiting two sites in summer next year, even if I’ve ticked off most of the best ones near me.
If you buy membership through this link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tickets can also be bought through GetYourGuide, but they don’t work out any cheaper. However, you can save money across multiple nearby attractions using the Shakespeare’s England Explorer Pass. These include Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Warwick Castle.
5 great things to do near Birmingham 🏙️
- 🧢 Discover the sites from the gang stories – on a Peaky Blinders walking tour.
- 🌙 Take an after-dark walking tour – and learn Stratford’s ghost stories.
- 🔒 Experience life behind bars – on a tour of Shrewsbury Prison.
- 🎢 Head to Alton Towers – Britain’s biggest theme park.
- ⚔️ Watch jousting and trebuchets – at Warwick Castle.
Accessibility and visitor facilities
The ground floor of the castle has level access, and there is a tearoom in the Tudor Stables. There are designated disabled parking bays near the entrance. The Elizabethan garden paths are compacted gravel and generally suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, though some areas of the ruins involve uneven ground, grass or steps. Assistance dogs are welcome. An audio guide is available for smartphones or on a handset.
Best times to visit and planning tips
Kenilworth Castle is busiest on weekends and during school holidays, especially when events are staged. For a quieter experience, visit midweek, either soon after opening at 10 am or in the last hour before closing.
Allow at least two to three hours to explore the castle, towers and gardens. Sturdy shoes are advisable if you plan to climb the keep or explore the wider grounds.
Why book the Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden ticket?
- ⏱ A relaxed visit—spend approximately 2 hours exploring the ruins and gardens
- 👑 Walk in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I through the historic Elizabethan Garden
- 🏰 Discover the castle’s rich 900-year history, including the formidable keep and restored medieval stables
- 💖 Enjoy immersive exhibits—discover royal romance stories, explore the Elizabethan bedroom, and hands-on displays for families
- ☕ Relax at the Stables Tearoom, offering seasonal cakes and light lunches
- ⭐ Rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 90 reviews
Nearby attractions to add to the same day
- Abbey Fields: a large park with walking trails and a playground, just a short stroll from the castle.
- St Nicholas’ Church: a historic parish church close to Abbey Fields.
- Kenilworth town centre: cafés, pubs and independent shops within easy reach.
- Warwick Castle: around 6 miles away, offering a different but complementary castle experience. I’ve written a guide to Warwick Castle parking.
- Coventry Cathedral: about 15 minutes’ drive, combining medieval ruins and modern architecture.
FAQ
Are the paths wheelchair-friendly?
The visitor centre and garden are largely accessible, but the castle ruins have uneven terrain and steps that may be challenging.
Is there accessible parking close to the entrance?
Yes. There are designated disabled parking bays near the visitor centre, plus a drop-off point.
Are audio guides available?
Yes. An audio tour is available for download to your phone or as a handset from the visitor centre. This audio tour is also available in French and German.
When are the quietest hours to visit?
Weekday mornings just after opening and late afternoons are usually the least busy times.
Can I bring a picnic?
Yes. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and enjoy it in the grounds. There are picnic tables outside the tearoom.
Are photos allowed?
Personal photography is allowed throughout the site. Tripods and drones are not permitted without permission.
More West Midlands travel
Other West Midlands travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Review of the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley.
- Guide to parking at Cadbury World in Birmingham.
- How to do Alton Towers with an 8-year-old.
- Alton Towers parking costs guide.
- Alton Towers weather: When is the best time to go?
