The Keep

The Keep at Kenilworth is what remains of one of England's most formidable medieval fortresses - a massive stone tower that dominates the castle ruins like a stubborn reminder of 12th-century power. This isn't a complete castle experience; what you're really coming to see is the keep itself, a seriously impressive bit of military architecture that soars above everything else on the site.

You walk around the exterior mostly, taking in the sheer scale of the thing from different angles. The walls are thick enough to make you wonder how anyone ever managed to breach them. History buffs and castle enthusiasts will spend a good hour picking over the details - the arrow slits, the defensive design, imagining what life was like inside those stone walls. Families with younger kids might find an hour is plenty; there's not a huge amount of hands-on activity, and the appeal is quite visual.

Kenilworth itself is well placed for a Warwickshire castle tour. You're close enough to Warwick Castle for a two-castle day trip if you're serious about medieval England. The nearby caravan parks - Mousley House Farm and Gate Farm are both within five miles - make it straightforward to base yourself locally. Word of warning: check opening hours and admission before you go, as details aren't always easy to pin down online. Weekday visits tend to be quieter, which suits the atmosphere. Best visited when you've got time to sit and sketch or photograph rather than dash through.