Top 5 Castles around Brandon and Bretford CP

The area surrounding Castle Green offers picturesque views of the castle ruins and a greenery for visitors interested in England's rich history and architecture

Robert Langham (C16) - "The Castle has the name of Killingwoorth, but if truth grounded upon faithful story, Kenelwoorth [Kenilworth]. It stands in Warwickshire, a 74 mile North-West from London, and as it were in the navel of England, four mile somewhat South from Coventry a proper city, and a like distance from Warwick, a fair Shire town on the North. In air sweet and wholesome, raised on an easy-mounted hill, is set evenly coasted with the front straight into the East, has the tenants and town about it, that pleasantly shifts from dale to hill, sundry wherewith sweet springs burst forth; and is so plentiful and well sorted on every side into arable, meadow, pasture, wood, water, and good air, as it appears to have need of nothing that may pertain to living or pleasure."

Leicester’s Gatehouse, built by Robert Dudley on the north side of the base court, provided a grand new entrance to the castle, and gave access via a long bridge to the hunting ground created by Dudley north of the mere. After the Civil War, the building was converted into a residence, using stonework and interiors from elsewhere in the castle. Currently, the building houses an exhibition, which focuses mainly on Dudley and Queen Elizabeth.

The dam was probably constructed in three phases; initially circa 1125, then subsequently raised by King John and lastly the western lane and bridge possibly 17th century. It is not known when the castle’s great defensive lake, created by the dam, was first called a Mere nor when the breach, shown here being repaired in 1964, was first called Hawkesworth’s Gap. At the end of the Civil War in 1649, Cromwell’s Parliamentarians were determined to ensure that the former Royalist strongholds would never again provide a safe haven for those who opposed the new republican parliament’s powers. So, Colonel Joseph Hawkesworth, MP was appointed to ‘slight’ or damage the castle beyond repair and it is said he breached the Tiltyard to drain the mere as part of the slighting.

Although much of it is still in ruins, it is definitely worth the visit, very accessible from the centre and with a good car park (paid) next to it. The castle, which was built between the beginning of Norman rule in England and the Tudor period, played a significant role in history.

Owned by English Heritage it has an interesting history

Fantastic Castle, and a quick walk around the outside of the battlements at the start of this walk allows you to see what an imposing fortification this really is. Putting yourself in the place of someone laying siege to this Castle, its easy to see how much of a disadvantage you would be at even today. We didn't go inside the Castle, but it looks to be well run and lots of families were enjoying the Castle activities.

A 14th century castle in the village of Baginton, Warwickshire in the English Midlands. It now stands in ruins, and this website is dedicated to those volunteers and benefactors who are conserving what remains for future generations. The original building is believed to have been constructed on the site in the 11th century, at the time of King Henry I. It was rebuilt as the current castle in the late thirteen hundreds by Sir William Bagot, a distinguished nobleman of the time. He is thought to have entertained many distinguished guests there, including the Duke of Hereford (later Henry IV). The castle subsequently passed through several hands, and eventually became derelict in the 16th Century. It remains so to this day, but in the middle of the last century excavation work was carried out to expose the remains. In the last few years there has been renewed interest in the castle. The remains have been consolidated and the whole site opened up to expose other historic features. An education visitor centre has been built, a picnic area added and woodland walks constructed for the many visitors who have visited the castle since it was opened to the public 2009.