Berkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle has evolved over 900 years from a Fort to a medieval Castle, to the wonderful family home you see today. The gardens have transitioned with the building, and are now a haven of colour, peace, and scent.
Over time, successive generations have softened the stern aspect of the Castle walls with flowers, until finally the present planting of the terraces was carried out with the help of Gertrude Jekyll at the turn of the last century.
The gardens specialise in scent and the roses in particular are a delight in June. Rare plants, shrubs and trees are to be enjoyed.
The Lily Pond was first built as a swimming pool during the time of the last Earl and his American Countess. From here sweeping curved steps lead down to the Great Lawn on which the two remaining Culloden Pines stand. These are said to have been brought back as pine cones from the Battle of Culloden by the 4th Earl of Berkeley. The greater of the two trees is in its own sunken circle: this was because the level of the Great Lawn was raised in the 1920s to prevent flooding.
Berkeley Castle is open from Sunday to Wednesday every week from April until the beginning of November – see Berkeley Castle website for details.
Photo Credits: Berkeley Castle
INFORMATION
Address: Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL13 9BQ View map Phone: 01453 810303 Length of visit: 2-3 hours
Dog friendly:
No
Cafe:
Yes
Car park:
Yes
House open:
Yes
House open - occasionally:
No
Family friendly:
Yes
Toilets:
Yes
Wheelchair - partly:
Yes
For information on opening times and to buy tickets: Click here
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