Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>The jewel in the crown of this historic market town is the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle/">romantic castle ruins</a>, once home to Robert Dudley, whose alleged love affair with Elizabeth I was explored by Cate Blanchett and Joseph Fiennes in the 1998 film <em>Elizabeth</em>. The monarch visited the castle several times (I bet she did!). But it&#8217;s not all raunchy history – Kenilworth has loads of great indie shops and restaurants, its own&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kenilworthartsfestival.co.uk/">arts festival</a>, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.localfoodfestivals.co.uk/kenilworth">food festival</a>, two community theatres and the annual Two Castles Run. It&#8217;s also close to the University of Warwick in Coventry.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="1800" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/10/420071575_18411782896037463_3837226206446060542_n.jpg" alt="Dish at The Cross at Kenilworth Warwickshire Michelin Star " class="wp-image-58328" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/10/420071575_18411782896037463_3837226206446060542_n.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/10/420071575_18411782896037463_3837226206446060542_n-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/10/420071575_18411782896037463_3837226206446060542_n-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/10/420071575_18411782896037463_3837226206446060542_n-768x960.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/10/420071575_18411782896037463_3837226206446060542_n-1229x1536.jpg 1229w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Cross at Kenilworth</figcaption></figure>



<p>Scoff and quaff at&nbsp;Michelin-starred gastropub&nbsp;<a href="https://thecrosskenilworth.co.uk/">The Cross</a> (reservations taken up to three months in advance) and bistros&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harringtonsonthehill.com/">Harringtons-on-the Hill</a>, <a href="http://www.lilgreens.co.uk">Lil Greens</a> and <a href="https://www.pomeroysbistro.co.uk">Pomeroys Bistro</a>. <a href="https://www.indian-edge.co.uk">Indian Edge</a> has a contemporary pan-Asian menu, and for Thai food check out <a href="https://www.thaikitchenkenilworth.co.uk">Thai Kitchen</a>. There&#8217;s no shortage of great cafés – some of our favourites are <a href="https://www.forrestcoffeehouse.co.uk">Forrest</a>, Muddy Award-winning <a href="https://www.coffeeonthecornerkenilworth.com">Coffee on the Corner</a> and <a href="https://itsmorethancoffee.co.uk/">Time for Tea</a>. Popular pubs and bars include the <a href="https://www.clarendonarmskenilworth.co.uk/">Clarendon Arms</a>, <a href="https://www.thealmanack-kenilworth.co.uk">The Almanack</a> and the <a href="https://www.thevirginsandcastle.com/">Virgins &amp; Castle</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>The big shop is a doddle, there is a Waitrose and Sainsbury&#8217;s on your doorstep. For bookworms, there couple of great indies – <a href="https://www.kenilworthbooks.co.uk/">Kenilworth Books</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://treehousebookshop.co.uk/">The Tree House Bookshop</a> (musician Warren Ellis, of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds is a patron). Other independents worth visiting include <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thefarthinggallery/?locale=en_GB">The Farthing Gallery and Tea Room</a> for gifts and cake; gift shop <a href="https://www.theartibusyard.com">The Artibus Yard</a>; the yummy <a href="https://www.farmersfayre.co.uk/">Farmers Fayre</a><a href="https://www.farmersfayre.co.uk/shop-restaurant/">&nbsp;</a>farm shop and café at Stoneleigh Park; and third-generation family-run <a href="https://smithsnurseries.co.uk/">Smith&#8217;s Nurseries &amp; Garden Centre</a>. Luxury outdoor designer outlet&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tbvsc.com/bicester-village/en">Bicester Village</a> is under an hour away. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>This is a great town for runners. There’s a popular running group and Kenilworth Castle is the end point for the <a href="https://www.twocastlesrun.org.uk/">Two Castles Run</a> from Warwick. Get on your bike and rack up the miles with the local cycling club and you’re just a stone’s throw from the fabulous <a href="https://thewellbeingcabin.com/">The Wellbeing Cabin</a>, which combines eight holistic treatments for the ultimate in relaxation (<a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/review-the-wellbeing-cabin-charlecote/">here’s our review</a>). If you’re looking for the full spa experience then head to <a href="https://www.mallory.co.uk/spa/">Mallory Court’s Elan Spa</a>, or <a href="https://ardencote.com/spa/">Ardencote</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>There are two community theatres here,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.priorytheatre.co.uk/">The Priory</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://talismantheatre.co.uk/">Talisman</a>, both always packed to the rafters at Christmas. The town has a popular weekly market and an annual <a href="https://www.kenilworthroundtable.com/annual-bonfire-fireworks-gala-2/">firework display</a> at Kenilworth Castle. Eco-warriors can join the <a href="https://www.friendsofabbeyfields.org.uk/">Friends of Abbey Fields</a> group, which helps care for this lovely space and runs walks and events such as bat and moth spotting.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-864.jpg" alt="Kenilworth Castle" class="wp-image-50578" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-864.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-864-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-864-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-864-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-864-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-864-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-864-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/09/Untitled-design-864-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kenilworth Castle</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle/">Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden</a> is the big attraction – you can climb to the top of the 18m tower and see Elizabeth’s previously derelict private chamber, accessible after <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle/things-to-do/view-fit-for-queen/">English Heritage built a viewing platform</a>. <a href="https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20316/abbey_fields">Abbey Fields</a>, a 68-acre park, is in the centre of town,&nbsp;with a lake overlooking the castle, tennis courts and a children&#8217;s play area. It&#8217;s great for walks, picnics and sledging in the snow. The stately Grade I-listed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stoneleighabbey.org/">Stoneleigh Abbey</a>,&nbsp;with its links to Jane Austen, is 10 mins by car.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>Have your roomy pants on standby, the Kenilworth Food Festival is always a popular event. The November fireworks display at Kenilworth Castle is also an annual highlight. In nearby Coventry, you can see some of the big touring shows at  <a href="https://www.belgrade.co.uk">The Belgrade</a> and <a href="https://www.albanytheatre.co.uk">Albany</a> theatres, plus the <a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk">RSC</a> in nearby Stratford, needs no introduction. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-price">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</h2>



<p>House went for an average of £412,287 in the last year. Semi-detached homes sold for an average £398,663, detached for £653,860, with flats fetching £185,280.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/KF-Kenilworth-jpg.jpg" alt="Former windmill and water tower for sale in Kenilworth Warwickshire" class="wp-image-57565" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/KF-Kenilworth-jpg.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/KF-Kenilworth-jpg-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/KF-Kenilworth-jpg-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/KF-Kenilworth-jpg-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Nothing square about this 4-bed windmill. For house hunters looking for the cool and quirky. <a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/tainters-hill-kenilworth-warwickshire-cv8/str012415602" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market with Knight Frank for £1.1m</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="http://www.kenilworthns.org.uk">Kenilworth Nursery School</a>, <a href="https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/our-nurseries/kenilworth-day-nursery-and-preschool%20?utm_source=googlemybusiness&amp;utm_medium=Referral&amp;utm_campaign=4323-Kenilworth">Bright Horizons</a> and <a href="https://www.tommieschildcare.co.uk/our-nurseries/field-house-day-nursery-kenilworth/">Field House</a> are all nurseries in town. In easy reach is <a href="https://www.littlegrangenursery.co.uk">Little Grange Nursery</a>, which recently opened in Rugby. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>There are several good and Outstanding state primary and secondary schools in town and nearby, including<a href="https://www.ksn.org.uk"> Kenilworth School and Sixth Form</a>. <a href="https://www.crackleyhall.co.uk/page/?pid=8">Crackley Hall School</a> is a feeder primary for Catholic co-ed independent secondary <a href="https://www.princethorpe.co.uk/home/princethorpe">Princethorpe College</a>. <a href="https://www.rugbyschool.co.uk">Rugby School</a> and <a href="https://www.biltongrange.co.uk">Bilton Grange Prep</a> are within easy reach, with independents in nearby Leamington Spa, Warwick and Coventry too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Legend has it that Kenilworth Castle is haunted by the ghost of Sir Fulke Greville, who was brutally murdered within its walls.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>Vastly improved since the reopening of the town&#8217;s train station, with connections to Coventry, Birmingham, and London. Journey time to London is under 90 mins.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Kenilworth

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