A historic garden at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire, which was originally designed by Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, in a bid to impress Queen Elizabeth I, has been reopened by English Heritage (EH).

Using a 16th century description of the site, as well as archaeological investigations and historical research, EH has spent £2.1m on the six-year project to recreate the Elizabethan garden, which was first unveiled in 1575. At the centre of the restored garden is an 18ft (5.5m) carved marble fountain, while other features include a bejewelled aviary, carved arbours and obelisks, pear trees and wild strawberries.

Simon Thurley, EH chief executive, said: "The re-creation of an Elizabethan garden on such a scale is unique, this is to gardens what The Globe was to theatre. It is a world-first, made possible by the research of English Heritage archaeologists, historians and gardeners. "Leicester's garden was as much a work of art as it was of horticulture and our re-creation, set among the sandstone ruins of his once splendid buildings, is a beautiful reminder of how sumptuous Elizabethan culture was."

The project to recreate the garden has also been supported by the Wolfson Foundation, as well as local residents and societies. Image: English Heritage/Jerry Harpur