Kenilworth Abbey
Abbey Fields, Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
The ruins of St Mary's Abbey are in Abbey Fields, which are managed by Warwick District Council.
When can I visit ?
- The abbey ruins are open at all times.
- The exhibition in the Barn is open 2pm - 5pm on Sundays during summer.
The Barn is managed by volunteers from Kenilworth History and Archaeology Society and other local organisations. Entrance is free.
The medieval gatehouse - part of the ruins of Kenilworth Abbey.
History
Founded in the 1120s, the Agustinian monastery dedicated to St Mary grew into one of England's wealthiest abbeys. The abbey was dissolved by King Henry VIII in 1538 and most of the buildings demolished. Ruins of the abbey can still be seen in the Abbey Fields, together with more substantial remains in the form of a Gatehouse and a building usually called the Barn.
Kenilworth Abbey Interpretation Scheme
During 1999 - 2003 a project was carried out to present the history of the abbey through on-site displays and an exhibition in the Barn.
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, Royal Pump Rooms
Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade, Leamington Spa, CV32 4AA, Tel: 01926 742700. Email: prooms@warwickdc.gov.uk
Local history and heritage resources at the Art Gallery & Museum
- Local History Gallery.
- Part of former Turkish Bath.
- Local history collections.
- Advice and identifications about local history objects.
Local history gallery.
Further reading
The story of the Royal Pump Rooms and its part in the development of Royal Leamington Spa is told in a well illustrated booklet: The Royal Pump Rooms and the growth of Leamington Spa, available at the Royal Pump Rooms (price £2.50).
For more information about the Royal Pump Rooms visit the Pump Rooms website.
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