Kenilworth's 2025 in 12 stories and photos
By James Smith 2nd Jan 2026
By James Smith 2nd Jan 2026
As the new year gets underway we have taken a look back at the last 12 months in Kenilworth.
As we have done in the past few years we have picked one story and one photograph from each month.
These stories are not necessarily the most-read bits of news from 2025, but are the ones we feel best represented what happened in Kenilworth last year.
January
The start of 2025 saw Kenilworth (and most of the country) hit with severe wet weather, leading to flooding around the town and local area.
The A46 was shut due to the flooding, and the ford was inevitably raised.
A tree also fell, blocking the ford, with fantastic overhead images shared with Nub News by Arthur Belgrove showing the extend of the water around the castle and Castle Road.
February
The A46 had two major closures in 2025. The longest actually came in April with the dual carriageway shut for three weeks for a new bridge to be slid into place.
This caused problems for motorists across South Warwickshire. But in February there were two weekend closures which caused even more problems in Kenilworth.
The first caused queues right through the town centre and on the side roads around St John's roundabout as temporary traffic lights were installed.
These were eventually removed.
March
A story we have been writing about all year is the potential new crossing to Kenilworth Castle.
After a public consultation it was revealed in March what the preferred location of the crossing will be.
Kenilworth Town Council has since pressed ahead with the plans, and is now waiting on English Heritage to progress with the path which will connect the crossing to the castle itself.
April
As already mentioned, the three-week closure of the A46 in April was a major news story.
But not as much as the refurbishment of the permanently closed Station Road, which has since been nicknamed Custard Corner.
The eye-catching makeover caught national news and even featured on Have I Got News For You.
Nub News has since reported the actual cost of the works which come after years of discussions and consultations on what would happen to the closed piece of road.
May
Warwickshire County Council's elections were held in May and saw a huge change at Shire Hall.
The Conservative's overwhelming majority was completely wiped out with Reform UK taking control of the local authority - but without a majority.
Cllr Rob Howard was initially named as the new leader of the council but stepped down after just 41 days.
This opened the door for teenager Cllr George Finch to be voted in as the new leader at the end of July.
June
The sixth month of the year brought the news that Darren Nicholas would be leaving Kenilworth School
Mr Nicholas - who joined the school ahead of its move to Glasshouse Lane in 2023 - had taken up the position of principal at an international school in Abu Dhabi
Nick Mummery was appointed as Head of School (temporary) and took up the role in September.
July
One of the best-read stories (and series of articles) this year was the coverage of The Dictum of Kenilworth opening in July.
After work began on site in February, the Wetherspoon pub took shape quickly.
The name drew significant interest and criticism from locals.
But the pub has proved very popular since opening.
August
August brought the news that The Cottage Inn - the Stoneleigh Road pub which has opened and then closed with great regularity - would cease to bee an inn.
Planning permission was granted for it to be turned into offices.
Work is now underway on site.
September
No run-down of the news in Kenilworth could be complete with a mention of the new Abbey Fields swimming pools.
Work continues at the town centre park and in September a provisional completgion date was revealed.
Originally due to be finished in June 2026, a report presented to Kenilworth Town Council stated the build is 14 weeks ahead of schedule and there is a provisional completion date of 1 April 2026.
Later on in the year, Cllr Andrew Milton said the actual opening would not be until May or June at the earliest.
October
A major change came to Kenilworth's town centre in October as Lil Greens closed and reopened as Greens.
New owners promise the Abbey End venue will "change the game" in Kenilworth with the transformation that "promises to redefine the town's bar and dining scene".
Locals have already been complimentary of the new look with the venue given a top-to-bottom refurbishment.
A new head chef, kitchen and menus have also been unveiled.
November
The penultimate month of the year brought some very sad news to Kenilworth.
On Sunday 2 November there was a crash on Leamington Road which led to the death of another man.
The pedestrian - Jake (Jacob) Powell, 30 - was taken to hospital by ambulance where he later died.
He has been named as 30-year-old Jake (Jacob) Powell.
David Ball, 39, of Watling Road, Kenilworth, was then charged with driving a motor vehicle whilst over the prescribed alcohol limit.
December
Another ongoing story through 2025 was the uncertain future of the two former Kenilworth School sites on Leyes Lane and Rouncil Lane.
In December potential next steps were revealed for the former as a planning application was submitted for its demolition and redevelopment.
The application has been submitted by Homes England and follows a recent public consultation.
If approved the development would see 40 per cent of the 224 homes designated as affordable.
The scheme also includes an 'extra care' facility with 75 bedrooms for the elderly.
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