GALLERY: Stunning images of the Elizabethan gardens at Kenilworth Castle in bloom

Aerial photos show the beautiful Elizabethan gardens at Kenilworth Castle coming into bloom at one of "England's most remarkable historical landmarks."

The stunning gardens at the Warwickshire attraction were created by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, to mark the visit of his childhood friend Queen Elizabeth I back in 1575.

They are now still going strong more than 450 years later, with drone images showing the intricately designed planted beds beginning to burst into colour for the summer months.

Also boasting a striking Renaissance aviary and ornamental fountain, now is said to be the perfect time for visitors as the final winter and spring blooms begin to merge with the first displays of summer planting.

The history of Kenilworth Castle stretches back more than nine centuries and its towering Norman keep, dating from the 1120s, remains a powerful reminder of medieval England.

The gardens at Kenilworth Castle (image via SWNS)

The castle's also walls endured one of the longest sieges in English history during the six-month conflict of 1266.

Kenilworth entered its most celebrated chapter in 1563 when Robert Dudley took possession of the estate and transformed the fortress into an extravagant showpiece in a bid to impress the queen by investing vast fortunes into its architecture, interiors, and gardens.

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Today the site is managed by the charity English Heritage, and the castle and gardens can be visited by the public.

The gardens feature displays of flowering Thrift (Armeria maritima), aquilegias, iris, peonies, richly scented stocks, hesperis, wallflowers and daisies.

As the season progresses, the winter-planted wallflowers and bellis will give way to a vivid summer display featuring marigolds, larkspur, love-in-a-mist, calendula and one of the garden's most anticipated flowers Silene Chalcedonica, better known as the Maltese Cross.

A gallery of images can be seen at the top of this page.