A major project to improve pedestrian accessibility around Kenilworth Castle is now complete, English Heritage has announced.

Works inside and outside the castle walls commenced in early January 2024 and finished in June, made possible by the "generous support" of the FCC Communities Foundation and several local organisations.

An opening ceremony for the new pathways took place on 9 July at Kenilworth Castle.

Responding to visitor and community feedback about pedestrian access around the site, English Heritage embarked on a project to create new pathways and make significant improvements to the condition of existing ones.

Visitors can now experience a more clearly defined route around the ruins.

Wheelchair users, pushchair users and people with limited mobility will benefit from having an even gravel bonded tarmac pathway through the Inner Court rather than going up rolling grass slopes, wider pathways elsewhere and ramps between different parts of the site.

Works underway at Kenilworth Castle (image via English Heritage)

On permissive pathways outside the castle, the existing trails have been excavated and a breedon gravel defined pathway created to be enjoyed by the local community. 

The project has principally been funded by FCC Communities Foundation, a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community projects through the Landfill Communities Fund, who granted a generous £250,000 for the works.

Further donations were received from Kenilworth based organisations, including the Kenilworth Roundtable, Kenilworth Rotary Club and Kenilworth Lions.

During the works, an exciting discovery was made when eight thirteenth-century catapult shots were found perfectly preserved outside the walls. The shots are remnants of the siege of Kenilworth Castle 1266, which lasted a total of 172 days.

The stone spheres are of varying sizes, with the largest weighing 105kg and the smallest 1kg.

Scott Elson, Kenilworth Castle site manager, said "We're thrilled at the completion of this important project, which we believe will have a meaningful impact on the experience at the castle for our Kenilworth neighbours and for visitors from further afield.

"As an independent charity, English Heritage would not have been able to commence the works without the support of the FCC Communities Foundation, to whom we are very grateful."

Cheryl Raynor, FCC Communities Foundation spokesperson added: "We are delighted to have supported English Heritage with this valuable project to improve pedestrian accessibility at the site and hope visitors and the local community enjoy the new pathways.

"The discovery of the catapult shots is simply incredible, and we can't wait to see them on display in the future."

Works underway at Kenilworth Castle (image via English Heritage)