AttractionEnglish Heritage

Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden

Kenilworth, Warwickshire

Nine centuries of castle on ground that is big, flat and easy going, which makes it one of the most comfortable major castles to walk with your dog.

Kenilworth holds more history in one skyline than almost any castle in England. The Norman keep dates from the 1120s and the castle survived one of the longest sieges in medieval English history in 1266. Its best chapter started in 1563, when Robert Dudley, Elizabeth I's childhood friend and long rumoured suitor, took it over and spent a fortune turning a fortress into a palace meant to win her.

Whilst you climb to the queen's apartments for long views over Warwickshire, walk the Great Hall where that courtship played out in front of the whole court, and take in the Elizabethan Garden rebuilt exactly as Dudley laid it out for her nineteen day visit in 1575, your dog has the easiest going of any major castle on this list. It is large and mostly level, with wide grass between the ruins and none of the steps and scrambling that coastal castles throw at you.

Dogs are welcome on leads, with assistance dogs welcome throughout. There is a café and picnic seating, and enough ground to make an afternoon of it rather than an hour. At £17 an adult it is not cheap, so if you are visiting more than a couple of English Heritage sites a year the membership maths starts working in your favour.

At a Glance

Dog Access: On-lead in the grounds; Dogs on lead allowed. Assistance dogs welcome.
Site Type: Castle & Fort
Entry: £17.00 adult; £8.50 child · £42.50 family
Members: Free for English Heritage members
Facilities: Café / restaurant, Exhibition, Gardens, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets, Wheelchair access
Telephone: 01926 852078
Parking: Parking is free for English Heritage members displaying a valid car sticker. Non-members must pay. Our car park has limited capacity, please arrive with plenty of time for your visit. Visit warwickdc.gov.uk for alternative car parks near Kenilworth Castle. There are EV charging points at nearby Abbey End car park. This car park is not managed by English Heritage.

English Heritage Membership

Planning Your Visit

Opening times

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 17:00
Friday: 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00

Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, though they must be kept on leads throughout. Assistance dogs are welcome everywhere on site. It's a particularly comfortable castle to visit with a dog — the grounds are large and mostly level, with wide grassy areas between the ruins and none of the steep steps or scrambling you get at many other castles.
Are dogs allowed at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden year round?
The location data doesn't specify any seasonal restrictions on dogs, so there's nothing to suggest access changes throughout the year. It's always worth checking the English Heritage website before you visit, just in case opening times or any specific arrangements have changed.
What should I know before visiting Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden with my dog?
Dogs must be kept on leads at all times, though the spacious, level grounds make that pretty manageable for most dogs. There's a café and picnic seating on site, so you can settle in for a proper afternoon rather than a quick loop. Parking is free for English Heritage members with a valid car sticker, while non-members pay to park — the car park has limited capacity, so arriving early is wise. At £17 per adult entry, if you're planning more than a couple of English Heritage visits a year, membership is worth doing the sums on.