The stable block at Kenilworth Castle was built by Robert Dudley's father, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, in 1553. Both men were Masters of the Horse, John to Edward VI, and Robert to Elizabeth I. In 1553 the castle had been granted to John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland.
Following his execution, it returned to the Crown. The grant was renewed to his son, Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester and favourite of Elizabeth I. He made extensive changes to the castle until his death in 1588.
Although it is not strictly speaking a barn, I have included it as it is an example of a Tudor “prodigy building”, built to impress and demonstrate the owner’s wealth and importance. It has a sandstone lower floor with a timber framed upper floor featuring decorative panels. After the castle fell into ruin it became part of a farm and the owner converted part of it into a barn as indicated by the large double door inserted into the front wall. Inside, the upper floor has been removed. The building is now a restaurant and visitor centre.
