He made it a grand English Renaissance Palace and Elisabeth visited the place twice. During the 17th century it became royal property again and continued to be a favourite place of Charles I, James I and his son Charles. Ruined by the First Civil War it was granted to Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, Lord Chancellor of Charles II, but was only used as a farm, with the Leicester gatehouse as the principle dwelling.

During the 18th and 19th century it stayed a farm but became a popular tourist attraction, even visited by Queen Victoria. Certain efforts were made to prevent further decline. 

It continued in the hands of the Claredon family until 1937, when it was sold to Sir John Siddeley, who's son donated it to the town of Kenilworth in 1958. Managed by the English Heritage is open to the public since 1984.

Today the visitor can admire and enjoy the Tower, built by Leicester for Queen Elisabeth I, the beautifully reconstructed Elizabethan garden, Leicester's gatehouse, the Castle Keep, the Great Hall and the Stables, with exhibitions and a  tearoom. 

The magnificent garden, created by Leicester for Queen Elisabeth I, was re-created thanks to a detailed eye-witness description of 1575 by Robert Langham, the mercer and keeper of the Privy Council Chamber.

Since 2017 the exhibition 'Speed and Power: John Siddeley, Pioneer of the Motor Age' was opened, celebrating motoring and aviation pioneer, Sir John Siddeley, 1st Baron Kenilworth.

For more detailed information, see website