BERKELEY CASTLE
HX Suggested Reasons to Visit
Home to the same family for over eight and a half centuries, Berkeley Castle is one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited castles.
About
Berkeley Castle is one of Britain's most remarkable medieval fortresses - continuously lived in by the same family for over 850 years. This extraordinary sense of historical continuity makes Berkeley utterly unique: a working family home where the past is still very much present.
Sitting above the Vale of Berkeley, the castle's Norman towers and fortified walls tell a story of architectural evolution spanning nine centuries. From its 12th-century origins through medieval and Tudor additions, the building today reflects the changing needs of a family adapting throughout the centuries.
Berkeley is woven into the fabric of national history. It was here that King Edward II was imprisoned and met his tragic death in 1327 - a pivotal moment that still resonates today. The Great Hall, private rooms, and original medieval kitchens reveal both the defensive power and domestic warmth of a fortress that has functioned continuously through centuries of political and social upheaval.
Set within beautiful terraced gardens overlooking the Gloucestershire countryside, Berkeley offers visitors richly furnished rooms filled with extraordinary collections of art, family portraits, heirlooms and artefacts that span generations. The castle archives contain records documenting hundreds of years of both family and regional history, making this a living repository of England's story.
The grounds complement the castle's historic character perfectly. Terraced lawns, formal planting and woodland areas create a harmonious balance of cultivated elegance and natural beauty, offering seasonal interest and sweeping views across the surrounding landscape.
Berkeley's timeless appeal has made it a sought-after location for film and television, with its atmospheric rooms and grounds featuring in productions including The Other Boleyn Girl, Poldark and Wolf Hall.
Today, Berkeley Castle remains what it has always been: a family residence, occupied and maintained by the Berkeley family as a living estate. Here, the continuity of family life and generations of careful stewardship make history tangible. Visitors experience the ongoing legacy of one of England's longest-established families - a place where the past and present exist in perfect harmony.
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Turn up at Berkeley Castle's entrance and use your phone to show your QR code that will be in your emailed ticket.
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The HX team will be on hand if you have any questions about your ticket.
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