Royal romantic garden recreated

The garden is due to be completed in Easter 2007

More than £2m is being spent recreating the romantic garden Robert Dudley designed for Elizabeth I at Kenilworth Castle, in Warwickshire.

Gardeners will be using archaeological evidence discovered last year beneath the existing 1970s garden to restore the area back to its former glory.

The original garden was created by the Earl of Leicester in 1575 to impress the Queen on her visit to the castle.

Work on the garden is due to start next summer and finish in Easter 2007.

English Heritage, which is behind the scheme, said after carrying out an evaluation of the site it discovered the current garden was modelled on an incorrect plan.

Bejewelled aviary

An education programme is being planned for schools and the public to get involved in the excavation and restoration.

The garden will include a fountain and a bejewelled aviary.

John Watkins, head of gardens and landscape at English Heritage, said: "This is a truly fascinating and multifaceted project with something for everyone - from the garden archaeologist to a school child studying Tudor history.

"Above all, the pure pleasure to be derived from marvelling at human ingenuity, both past and present in creating and recreating such a beautiful garden, is going to be immense."