An authentic medieval hamlet has been built at Kenilworth Castle, where potters, shoemakers, blacksmiths, fletchers, carpenters, blacksmiths, basket weavers, rope makers and even a rat catcher will inhabit the village as it opens to the public from 28 May – 4 June.
This is the second year English Heritage has embarked on such a huge project, creating a ‘real life’ village from scratch. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year sees the introduction of several new buildings including a genuine tavern where real ale will be served straight from the barrel. The pub, named after one of the great local heroes of Warwickshire, Guy Earl of Warwick, has a working fireplace and will host traditional games including Children’s Pall Mall- a children’s version of medieval croquet and medieval horseshoes.
Visitors will be able to wander through the stalls and houses to the sounds of medieval music and merriment as they explore and chat to the residents about life in Henry V’s times or simply relax in the 15th-century pub over a pint and watch the colourful sights. Entertainment will be provided by re-enactors, street musicians and performers.
“Last year was impressive but this year the medieval village is going to be really something. We have more buildings going up, altered the layout of the streets and the houses and there will be a lot more activity going on. The most noticeable difference will be the addition of a pub,” says Andrea Fox, English Heritage Sales and Marketing Manager.
“This is a fascinating experience for all ages and really brings history alive in a way that books and films can’t. It’s only when you can physically stand inside a house and see where they lived and cooked, what the windows were made out of, where they slept, how they coped with the cold and all the every day chores of life that you can begin to understand what life was really like all those years ago,” adds Andrea.
Tickets for Medieval Living Village include admission to Kenilworth Castle and cost: Adults £7.40/Concessions £5.10/Children £3.70/Family Ticket £18.50, with a 25% discount for each subsequent visit. Members prices are Adults £1.50/Concessions 70p/Children 70p/Family Ticket £3.70.
The Medieval Living Village is one of a series of events being staged in 2006 to celebrate an exciting £2.5m restoration project at the castle. In June, a special Grand Opening event will mark the reopening of the newly restored gatehouse and stables, built by Robert Dudley, favourite of Elizabeth I. The gatehouse will be open to the public for the first time in decades. Inside is a brand new exhibition themed around the relationship between Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester which tells of the spectacular festivities that took place when Elizabeth visited the castle in 1575.
In the stables, another new exhibition traces the history of the castle over the last 900 years and enables visitors to discover more about England’s finest and most extensive castle ruin.
For further information, and details of other events at Kenilworth Castle during the 2006 season, please contact Kenilworth Castle on 01926 852078 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworthcastle
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