Cotswold Castles and Palaces

The Cotswolds are home to some of the country’s most imposing and beautiful castles and palaces.  With royal connections by the bucket-load, they’re full to bursting with fascinating historical artefacts and are a magical way of learning amazing stories from days gone by.


Berkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle

A fairy-tale castle with a royal pedigree, Berkeley Castle was built in 1153 and has welcomed a whole host of royals over the centuries – from Edward II to Henry VIII, Elizabeth I to the late Queen Mother.  Still home to the Berkeley family, you can travel through time and history, soaking up the atmosphere and finding out more about the castle’s colourful past. 

Open Sunday – Wednesday from March to end of October. 


An aerial view of Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace

Home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and one of the finest Capability Brown landscaped parklands in the country, Blenheim Palace is a 300 year old national treasure.  With stunning baroque architecture, historic State Rooms and some of the finest views in England, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill is an iconic part of history and a World Heritage Site.

Open every day except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. 


Sudeley Castle
Sudeley Castle

With royal connections stretching back over a thousand years, Sudeley Castle has played a significant and important role in England’s history and is the only private castle in the country to have a queen buried within its grounds.  Visit the tomb of Katherine Parr – the last of Henry VIII’s six wives, who lived and died in the castle, and walk in the footsteps of Richard III, Elizabeth I and Lady Jane Grey.  Wander through award winning gardens, including the lawn where Elizabeth I is rumoured to have played bowls; marvel at the 15th century church, and discover more about rare and endangered pheasants in the Pheasantry. 

Open Monday – Sunday until October 30th


Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle
One of Elizabethan England’s finest buildings, Kenilworth Castle has been a focal point of English history for 900 years.  Scale the heights of the tower built by Robert Dudley, to woo Queen Elizabeth I; marvel at the mighty Norman keep and find out more about the medieval monarchs and early Tudor kings who visited Kenilworth in times gone by.   The spectacular historic estate is also home to a newly recreated Elizabethan garden – a haven of peace and tranquillity and full of colour and fragrant walkways.

Open all year round. 


Thornbury Castle
Thornbury Castle
Stay in a Tudor Castle while enjoying all the facilities you’d expect from a luxury hotel.  Thornbury Castle was once home to Henry VIII and his new bride Anne Boleyn and combines 500 year old architecture with sumptuous facilities.  Wander around the unspoiled grounds through the vineyard and productive kitchen garden, or master ancient skills like archery, croquet or falconry.

Saltridge Woods (Credit: Ken Long)