Paths in and around Kenilworth Castle are set to be closed off from next month so they can be revamped.

English Heritage - which manages the historic attraction - said the walkways needed to be resurfaced and in some cases widened, and was given planning permission for the scheme earlier this year.

The charity said the works will benefit the 118,000 people who visit the castle each year - as well as local dog walkers.

Kenilworth Town Council backed the scheme, praising the improved accessibility and "sympathetic" pathways.

No clear timeframe was put on the project at the time.

But now a notice has been placed outside the castle walls saying: “The exterior castle paths are closed throughout March and April.

”This is due to pathway improvement works taking place.”

When the plans were approved, a district council report said: "The proposed development would result in less than substantial harm to designated heritage assets and this harm would be outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal.

"The proposal would not have an unacceptable impact on ecology and trees subject to conditions and the proposal would not result in any undue harm to visual or residential amenity.

"The application is therefore recommended for approval."

An outline of all the paths around Kenilworth Castle (image via planning application)

English Heritage now has permission to widen all the paths inside the castle to allow two wheelchairs to pass each other.

External paths, which are described as "narrow, eroded and unsurfaced" and "undulating, uneven and overgrown in places", will become "all weather hard surfaced" and will also be widened slightly.

"Visitor feedback and site surveys show that the existing pedestrian routes around the castle are unclear and have unsuitable surfacing with no defined pathways into the historic ruin from the visitor entrance or from the castle exhibition," the application said. 

"This leaves visitors feeling confused about directions and where they should walk. 

"The rolling, uneven grass slopes around the monument are not suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs, people with limited mobility or small children."