Kenilworth's gruesome past to be revealed in guided history tour and book launch

Tales of Kenilworth’s gruesome past will be told in a guided history tour to mark the launch of a new book detailing the unfortunate ends of former residents.

Adam Wood, a local historian who specialises in Victorian true crime, has written Bloody Kenilworth, a pocket-sized walking guidebook which details various stories of how people in Kenilworth met their untimely deaths, and guides readers through the town step by step so they can visualise how these incidents happened.

To launch the book, Adam will lead a tour of the route covered in part of the book on September 7.

It will start at 6.30pm from Kenilworth Books in Talisman Shopping Centre, passing by Kenilworth railway station before finishing at St John’s Church at 7.30pm in Warwick Road.

Adam will then give a further talk at the church about his work and will be signing books.

He said: “When it came to researching this book, there were so many areas of Kenilworth with fascinating pasts that I had to split the route in the book into two.

“Starting in Talisman Shopping Centre made perfect sense – the site was the former home of the Kenilworth Tannery, where an unfortunate worker fell through a glass skylight and lost his life.

“It is these kinds of incidents in recent history that shine a light on what working conditions were like back then for ordinary people, and how violent crime was easier to get away with.

“I hope people enjoy reading about the lives of these people in my book and enjoy immersing themselves in history either on the launch tour or by following the route of the book themselves.

Judy Brook, owner of Kenilworth Books, added: “So many people in Kenilworth love their history, and we think the tour will be a brilliant way to learn about the lives of the people who lived here in Victorian times.”

“It’s great to be in a location with so much interesting history – including Talisman itself with the story of the tannery – and Adam’s book really brings the history to life.”

Hugo Hawkings, chief executive of Discovery Properties, the developers of Talisman Shopping Centre, added: “Talisman and Kenilworth itself is full of history, and Kenilworth Books has always been a big supporter of historical works about the town by local authors.

“We’re delighted this support is continuing with this upcoming tour and book launch.”

Tickets for the walking tour are £5 but attending the talk in the church is free.

Places can be booked at www.kenilworthbooks.co.uk, by phoning 01926 855784 or popping into the bookshop.