Growing up, I heard stories of how King Edward II was murdered with a red-hot poker. To be honest, I did not really understand the historical significance of it back then. So, when I recently stumbled upon Berkeley Castle when planning our trip to Gloucestershire, a memory was unlocked. This magnificent castle is the supposed site of that grizzly murder centuries ago. Nowadays though it is a major tourist attraction, with stunning gardens and bundles of history. If you are planning a day trip to Berkeley Castle, here is my ultimate guide.
Day Trip to Berkeley Castle | Your Ultimate Guide
Day Trip to Berkeley Castle | Getting to Berkeley
The village of Berkeley is just outside of the Cotswolds. It is a half-hour drive south from Gloucester, down the A38 until you see the signs. If you are not coming from that direction, it is also just off Junction 14 along the M5.
Public transport is where it gets a bit challenging. Because of the remoteness of the village, there are few train lines that take you near it. The best bet is to catch the train to Bristol and, from there, catch a series of buses. It will vary, but you’ll want to catch the bus to Rock Street and then onwards to Berkeley.
When you arrive in the village, the place is not particularly large. The castle entrance and car park is on the main road and is easy to spot.
Day Trip to Berkeley Castle | Entrance Costs and Tours
Berkeley Castle is actually very good value for money. If you are a member of Historic Houses, you can also get in for free with a tour.
For adults, tickets cost £16.00 per person and children cost £8.00. Concessions for students and those aged 65+ are also available at £15.00 per person. This includes the castle and extensive gardens for you to explore at your leisure.
What I thought made the place come alive though was our tour. This cost £2.50 extra and allowed us to move with an experienced guide. It was a relatively large group, but I learnt so much about the history of the castle. This ranged from the original construction, the mystery surrounding Edward II and the modern owners.
Day Trip to Berkeley Castle | What you Need to See and Do
When you enter the castle grounds, the first thing that you will see is the gift shop. This was a classic castle gift shop and included books about the castle. You could also buy other souvenirs and toys.
Past the shop though is the start of the gardens. We visited the site in summer and were completely bowled-over by the sheer variety of flowers and colour. The stately gardens have been really looked after. I also love the levels that have been created here. The steep and colourful banks have steps that lead down to hidden pathways through the flowers and, eventually, a stately lawn. There are also ancient trees and impressive water features here too. The location of Berkeley also means that you are in the middle of the gorgeous Gloucestershire countryside. The views for miles around are seamless and are perfect for a summer day out.
Inside the castle, there are plenty of different options. I found the modern part interesting as it is where the current Berkeley family still lives today. The main attraction though is, of course, the dungeon where Edward II supposedly stayed. I really like how they have set this up and the exhibition talks about all the conspiracy theories. It feels like a mystery that needs to be solved. There is plenty to learn about here though and the tour in particular walks you through the different eras in the castle. Definitely worth £2.50!
Day Trip to Berkeley Castle | Final Thoughts
A day trip to Berkeley Castle is an excellent way to enjoy Gloucestershire. The tour itself is one of the best I have been on in recent years and I loved learning about this lesser-known place. I hope that this has given you inspiration to plan your trip here. If you have any questions though, please let me know!
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Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed my post! If you have any questions about visiting Berkeley Castle, or the surrounding area, please do get in touch in the comments below.
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Happy exploring,
Love Victoria X
1 comment
My card issuer won’t allow payments through the Berkeley Castle website. Can you pay on the day when you get here?