The name Blenheim derives from a decisive battle that took place on the 13th August 1704 on the north bank of the river Danube, near a small village called Blindheim or Blenheim, where the French leader, Marshall Tallard, had fixed his lines.

Here John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, won a great allied victory over the forces of Louis XIV, thus saving Europe from French domination. 

In reward for his services in defending Holland and Austria from invasion by the French,a grateful Queen Anne granted to Marlborough the Royal Manor of Woodstock and signified that she would build him, at her own expense, a house to be called Blenheim.

A splendid medieval castle that was transformed in the 17th and 18th century into a stately home.  The castle is perched on a rocky cliff above the River Avon just on the outskirts of the attractive town of Warwick.  The castle was sold by the present Earl to the Madam Tussauds group and they have created tableaux of wax figures to illustrate its history, turning the castle into a top tourist attraction in Britain.  There are all sorts of exhibitions to visit including the Kingmaker Exhibition, the Royal Weekend Party Exhibition, there are the ramparts to explore as well as the armoury, the dungeons and torture chamber and also the castle state rooms to discover.  Outside glorious gardens and parkland originally designed by Capability Brown. Down by the river there is a mill and engine house to see.

Once a magnificent castle surrounded by a great lake.  Now a grand ruin, a picturesque outline on the horizon.  Many great historic events took place here including seiges and murders but Kennilworth castle is best remembered for the romantic19 day visit by Queen Elizabeth I in July 1575, organised by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, her favourite courtier.  The Queen's stay started with a great pageant and continued with lavish entertaining such as hunting, jousting, music-making, fireworks and feasting. . 

All this grandure was to end during the civil war when Cromwell ordered the castle to be partially destroyed and the lake to be drained so that it could not be used as a fortress again.

An audio guide helps to understand the history, the development and layout of the castle as we walk round the ruins.
An exhibition centre, shop and cafe on site.

The construction of this stunning castle for 2nd Baron Somers, later created an Earl, began in 1810 in the style of a medieval fortress. The various rooms reflect the style, taste and aspirations of the subsequent owners for example, the 2nd Earl commissioned A.W.Pugin master English architect to design the magnificent Drawing Room in high gothic style.

The present owners, the Hervey-Bathurst family have, during the past twelve years, restored the castle state rooms to their former splendour and this beautiful building is well worth a visit. 

For over 850 years this castle has had a commanding position on a rocky outcrop over looking the River Severn.  The Berkeley family who still own and occupy the castle are just one of three families that can trace their history back from son to father to 1117.  The state rooms are open to the public and a guided tour will reveal the fascinating architecture, plus  furniture, furnishings and paintings that have been collected by generations of Berkeleys.  Many items reflect the castle's historical connection with people and places of long ago, for example, Francis Drake's cabin chest and Queen Elizabeth's bedspread.  The castle is most famous for a really gruesome event, the imprisonment and subsequent murder of King Edward II, a story that will send shivers down your spine!
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