Berkeley Castle

Oxford & the Cotswolds

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This superb red-stone castle has been home to the Berkeleys for nearly 900 years, and little has changed since it was built as a sturdy Norman fortress. Edward II was imprisoned here in 1327 and swiftly died, probably murdered on the orders of his wife and her lover. Highlights include its central 12th-century keep, the King’s Gallery, complete with Edward’s cell and dungeon, and the spectacular medieval Great Hall, lined with tapestries. Free 45-minute guided tours run every 30 minutes.

The traditional story that Edward was killed using a red-hot poker is now discredited, and some historians even argue that he didn’t die here at all, and lived out his life as a hermit in Europe.

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Nearby Oxford & the Cotswolds attractions

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This beautiful Queen Anne–style house, alongside Berkeley Castle, honours the life and work of Edward Jenner (1749–1823), the country doctor who…

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A pioneer in wetlands conservation, this 325-hectare reserve, beside the River Severn 5 miles northeast of Berkeley, is a haven for migratory and resident…

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