Berkeley Castle

Berkeley Castle is England's oldest inhabited castle and most historic home. 24 generations of Berkeleys have transformed a savage Norman fortress into this stately home full of historic treasures like Queen Elizabeth I's bedspread and Sir Francis Drake's cabin chest. Discover the cell where Edward II was notoriously imprisoned and murdered and the adjacent dungeons, the 14th Century Great Hall that gas hosted many Kings & Queens, look out for any spooky companions, or relax in the beautiful terraced grounds with a lily pond, and ancient bowling green where Queen Elizabeth I was believed to have palyed bowls during her stay at the Castle. The tropical butterfly house with hundreds of colourful butterflies flying freely in a tranquil indoor garden is definitely worth a visit. Very limited access for wheelchair users. Facilities include a tea room, shop and picnic area.

Public Opening Days 2008

From 21 March 2008 to 26 October 2008 - Open every Sunday between March - October, all Bank Holiday Weekends, & 7 days a week July and August. 11am – 5.30pm with last entry at 4.30pm.

March 21st – 24th Easter Weekend
March 30th
April Sundays
May Bank Holiday weekends & Sundays
June Sundays
July Full Month (7 days a week)
August Full Month (7 days a week)
September Sundays
October Sundays
November 29-30th Christmas Fair
December 5/6/7th Castle by Candlelight

Special Event times may vary.

Opening Times

Summer 2008 1 Jul 2008 - 31 Aug 2008

Autumn 2008 1 Sep 2008 - 26 Oct 2008

Events

Tickets Information

Road Directions

From M5 North: exit at Junction 13 or 14 onto the A38. Follow signs to Berkeley, then brown signs to Berkeley Castle.

Public Transport Directions

Train to Cam & Dursely station from Bristol or Glos then take a taxi.
Bus from Bristol or Glos change in Thornbury (from Bristol).
On arrival in Bristol, there is taxi to the castle which takes under 35 minutes.

 Facilities

• Gift Shop

Attraction Facilities

• No Dogs
• Plant Sales
• Shop

Venue Facilities

• Licenced for civil marriages

Provider Preferences

• Celebrity connection
• Film or TV location
• Haunted
• In countryside - On the edge of Berkeley Town
• Indoor Attraction
• No Smoking Attraction
• Of historic, literary or architectural interest

Accessibility

• Accessible to Wheelchair Users
• Guide Dogs Permitted

Parking & Transport

• Car parking
• Coach Parking
• On site parking
• Parking (free)

Catering

• On-Site café/restaurant
• Picnic Site
• Restaurant

Payment Methods

• Approx length of visit - Castle 1.5 hours, Castle & Gardens 3 hours.
• Blue Badge Guides admitted free
• Groups Accepted
• Maestro accepted
• MasterCard accepted
• Min group size - 25
• Open by appointment outside normal opening times
• Special group rates
• Switch accepted
• TIC Staff Admitted Free
• Visa accepted

Establishment Features

• Available for wedding receptions
• Business facilities (eg. Fax/ modem)
• Cater for groups
• Conference facilities
• Event venue
• Event Venue
• Licenced for civil marriages
• Printed Material in Foreign Languages - French only
• Toilets - No disabled toilet

Specialist Features

• Marketed towards families

Printed Material in Foreign Languages

• French printed material

Tours and Demonstrations

• Educational Visits Accepted
• Guided Tours Available for Groups
• Guided Tours Available for Individuals