COVENTRY, WARWICKSHIRE & SHAKESPEARE’S ENGLAND
Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden Shakespeare’s Birthplace Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6QW
Castle Green, Kenilworth, CV8 1NE The vast medieval fortress of Kenilworth Castle is set in vast grounds, perfect for exploring. The ruins are best known as the home of Robert Dudley, the great love of Queen Elizabeth I. Dudley created an ornate palace here to impress his beloved queen in 1575. The newly re-created Elizabethan Garden, lost for 400 years, is now open to visitors once more. A paradise for garden lovers, wander through this sumptuous landscape as Queen Elizabeth I would have done herself. Features include a Norman hall, medieval keep, Elizabethan gatehouse and stables.
Best Time of Day: Any time – light is on the gatehouse in the morning, on the stables in the afternoon. Permits: Yes, contact site initially and then it will be referred either to the regional PR team or to Sarah Eastill Locations. Allow up to two weeks, although less notice can often be arranged. Fees: Yes, £100-£250. Public Liability Insurance Required? £5 million.
Best Vantage Points: Many and varied! The Keep and the gatehouse have elevated locations for filming the gardens.
Contact: Holly Woodward Telephone: 01926 857482 Email: Holly.woodward@english-heritage.org.uk Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworth
William Shakespeare was born, grew up and lived with his wife and young children here. The original Tudor house is presented as it would have been in Shakespeare’s early years. More than 28 million people have visited to pay homage to the world’s most famous playwright. Well-known visitors have included Charles Dickens, John Keats, Walter Scott and Thomas Hardy.
Birthplace from the street. Interior filming is only possible outside public opening hours; the interior is dimly lit, but ambient light is best in early evening.
Best Vantage Points: On Henley Street and from the garden at the rear of the property. Actors from our resident Shakespeare Aloud troupe who perform daily for visitors in the garden of the Birthplace will be pleased to perform extracts from Shakespeare’s works for intros/outros, and to interact in character with the presenter (notice required). Guides in period costume can be arranged to complete the historic scene (notice required).
Public Liability Insurance Required? £5 million.
Permits: Yes. One week notice preferred but not essential. Fees: Usual filming fees will be waived for news and features programming.
Did You Know: All 37 of Shakespeare’s plays will be performed in 2012 as part of the World Shakespeare Festival. Contact: Lynn Beddoe, PR Manager
Restrictions: Interior filming only possible outside opening hours. Exceptions may be made by advance agreement in special circumstances (more likely in winter months).
Telephone: 01789 207134
Best Time of Day: Any time. The partly pedestrianised street can be very busy with visitors in the summer, so early morning and late evening afford clearer views of the
Website: www.shakespeare.org.uk
Email: Lynn.beddoe@shakespeare.org.uk
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