KENFEST, Kenilworth's annual Beer and Music Festival started today (1 May) with a fundraising bike ride marking the beginning the event. 

 The event will span over the weekend, and end on Sunday 3 May. 

Starting off at Kenilworth Rugby Club, the guided 60km ride circled through the Warwick countryside and back to the origin point with a mid-ride break at the Napton Cidery for food and drinks for participants. 

The bike ride, designed to be a social and non-competitive leisure ride, cost £30 to enter alongside an additional minimum sponsorship for the festival's charities.  

Building on last year's success, which saw £10,000 raised for The Myton Hospices, this year's kick-starter event will once again raise funds for the charity, as well as Warwickshire Hearts and Kenilworth Rugby Club. 

The Mayor of Kenilworth, Cllr James Kennedy, and Deputy Mayor Cllr Alison Insley were both in attendance for the event.  

The KENFEST bike ride returns for 2026 (image by Nub News)

Speaking with Cllr Alison Insley, an avid cyclist and cycle instructor, she told Nub News: "There are not enough safe routes around Kenilworth or anywhere for that matter. 

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"I think the more people cycling means there's less people in cars on the roads. 

"Any event which encourages people to ride a bike [lets] people see the joy and how quick it is.  

"It's better for the environment, your pocket, your health, and it could change the way you decide to commute."  

Continuing for the rest of this weekend, the festival will feature live music acts from across Coventry and Warwick, as well as various street foods and a selection of over 50 real ales and ciders.  

There will also be activities for all ages, such as bouncy castles and soft play games for the younger attendees. 

Riders head out to Napton (image by Nub News)