Berkeley Castle |
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In 1153 Maurice Berkeley completed this fortress by the Severn Estuary at the command of Henry II, and ever since it has been the home of the Berkeley family - one of England's oldest families who have given their name to numerous locations all over the world, from Berkeley Square in London to Berkeley Hundred in Virginia and Berkeley University in California.
This ancient castle has been preserved and gradually transformed from a savage Norman fortress into a truly stately home with a wealth of treasures, paintings by English and Dutch masters, tapestries, furniture of an interesting diversity, silver and porcelain.
Highlights of the castle are the massive Norman Keep with the Dungeon and
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| Click Photo for Gallery |
The castle is surrounded by sweeping lawns and terraced Elizabethan Gardens with many rare plants, with a lily pond and with Queen Elizabeth Is bowling green.
From the outer bailey you have a view across parts of the Gardens and the Meadows to the New Kennels, from 1730 the home of the Berkeley Hunt.
Before or after a visit to the Castle there are the delights of the Butterfly Farm set in the walled garden adjacent to the car park. Exotic and British butterflies are farmed here. The plant centre stocked with indoor and outdoor varieties is located here.
On site:
Free car park (no dogs), Gift Shop, Tea Rooms. Picnics are not allowed in the Castle grounds, but there is a picnic area close to the car park.
We regret: no dogs except guide dogs allowed anywhere on the premises.
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More Pictures (Click Photos for Gallery) |
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Opening Times
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(2011 times)
2011 Opening Times Sunday April 3rd - Sunday 30th October: (on selected days Butterfly House Friday 22nd April - Thursday 29th September: (on selected days) Opening Times - 11.00am - 5.30pm Open Sundays, Thursdays & Bank Holiday Mondays. During School Holidays Open Sunday - Thursdays School Holiday dates are as follows: April 10th - 25th May 29th - June 2nd July 3rd - September 4th October 23rd - 30th |
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Admission Charges
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(2011 prices)
Global ticket includes Castle, Grounds and Butterfly House:Adult £9.50; Child £5.00; Child under 5yrs Free Senior Citizen £7.50; Family Ticket £24.00 (Two adults & two children). Group Rates 25 or more: Adult £9.00; Child £4.00; Senior Citizen £7.00. Butterfly House Only: Adult £2.50; Child £1.50; No Concessions. |
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Directions
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| Situated by the town of Berkeley just off A38 midway between Bristol and Gloucester. From the M5 turn off at junction 14 or 13. Bus service from Bristol and Gloucester (Badgerline no. 308) |
| Show map of Berkeley Castle... |
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Berkeley Castle Postcode for SatNav: GL13 9BQ |
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Nearby Attractions
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Edward Jenner Museum
(< 1 Mile)*
Edward Jenner was born in Berkeley in 1749. Orphaned before he was 5 years old, his brothers and sisters set him on a career of medicine. |
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Lydney Park Gardens
(4 Miles)*
Now Closed FOR THE 2010 SEASON |
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Dean Heritage Centre
(7 Miles)*
Situated in a converted former mill in the picturesque Soudley Valley, the Dean Heritage Centre is the ideal starting point for a visit to the Forest. |
| more attractions in Berkeley and things to do in Berkeley ... |
| more things to do in Gloucestershire and days out in Gloucestershire... |
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Nearby Hotels
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Nearby Self Catering
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National Trust | Estate Agents |
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