Year 5 visit Kenilworth Castle

This term, Year 5 visited Kenilworth Castle which was famously gifted to Robert Dudley by Elizabeth I.  First built in the 1120s, and a royal castle for most of its history, it was expanded by King John, John of Gaunt and Henry V. Over the years it has played host to many important and royal visitors and so the staff of St Andrew’s felt very at home in the lavish surroundings. The children learnt a lot about why castles are built and enjoyed exploring the grounds and ruins as well as Leicester’s Gate House. The views from the top of the stone walls were phenomenal because we could see for miles and miles around. he 1120s and a royal castle for most of its history, it was expanded by King John, John of Gaunt and Henry V. In 1563 Elizabeth I granted it to her favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, who converted the castle into a lavish palace fit to entertain his queen.

Although the castle’s fortifications were dismantled in 1650, many of the buildings remain unaltered since Elizabeth I’s reign