Permission granted for a 'view fit for a Queen' at Kenilworth Castle
Visitors to Kenilworth Castle will be able to enjoy panoramas unseen since the Civil War following the granting of planning permission for a series of platforms within Leicester’s Building, which will give visitors the views that would have been enjoyed by Elizabeth I during her visit.
Under English Heritage’s plans for the new development, viewing platforms would be constructed on three floors within Leicester’s Building, which was built ahead of Elizabeth I’s visit in 1571 to provide the Queen and her retinue with appropriate accommodation and views over Robert Dudley’s estate. At the moment, the inside of the ruins of Leicester’s Building can only be viewed from the basement and ground floor levels.
The building that the Earl of Leicester built for Elizabeth I’s visit was one of the most spectacular works of architecture of its day, with enormous glass windows, and with all the luxury and elegance that a queen might command. Although the building has stood in ruins since the Civil War, the new platforms will allow visitors a better appreciation of its scale, taking them up to 18m high. For the first time in centuries, they will be able to stand where Elizabeth stood, and with help from new interpretation panels, see what she saw to gain a better sense of the way in which the castle dominated the town and countryside around it.
“Leicester’s Building is an extremely important part of the Elizabeth and Dudley story, so it is wonderful that these plans have been approved, enabling us to explore another aspect of her visit,”
comments Holly Woodward, Property Manager at Kenilworth Castle. “We’ve been delighted with the positive feedback from local people, and are very much looking forward to unveiling the new platforms early this summer.”
Work will begin in January, at which point access into the basement of Leicester’s Building will be restricted. The design of the platforms has taken into account their fixture into the historic stonework, the architectural significance and importance of the building and visual impact on views from inside and outside the castle.
Until the launch of the platforms, visitors are welcome to explore the re-created Elizabethan Garden at Kenilworth Castle, and learn more about the relationship between Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and Elizabeth I in an exhibition on the top floor of Leicester’s Gatehouse.
Other viewing platforms at Kenilworth Castle are extremely popular with visitors, who are able to access the Keep for views over the Elizabethan Garden, and look out from a platform adjacent to John of Gaunt’s Hall over the area that would have been occupied by Kenilworth’s great mere.
Kenilworth Castle is open at weekends only during the winter from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Admission prices are £8.20 for adults, £7.40 for concessions and £4.90 for children, with a family ticket (two adults and up to three children) available for £21.30 (prices change from 25 March 2013).
For more information, please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworth
ENDS
For further media information, please contact:
Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (West Midlands)
Tel: 01904 500698
Mob: 07810 546567
Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk
