Winchcombe

Romantic ruins, award-winning gardens and one thousand years of fascinating history are among the many reasons to visit Sudeley Castle. 

As well as regular and hugely popular events such as the Easter Egg Trail, Rose Week and Spring Grand Sale, this year marks the Quincentenary of Sudeley's resident Tudor Queen, Katherine Parr.  The last and surviving wife of King Henry VIII, she came to live at Sudeley after his death and is now entombed in St Mary's Church (within the Sudeley grounds) which is open to visitors.  Sudeley (and Winchcombe) will be celebrating Katherine Parr's extraordinary life through the 2012 season - a film introduced by Sir David Starkey will introduce a new exhibition and there will be talks, Tudor Fun Days, Archery, Literary events and plenty more.

Sudeley's annual Rose Week in June features the centrepiece Queen's Garden, which sits on the original Tudor Parterre and billows with hundreds of varieties of old fashioned roses.  Sudeley boasts 10 stunning gardens, which are constantly evolving and being improved with the help of design consultant, the eminent Sir Roddy Llewellyn.

As well as all this there is a giant wooden play fort for younger visitors, exhibitions, a coffee shop and Pheasantry.  Tours of the private family apartments are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  New for 2012 is a Wildlife Trail and there will also be some new arrivals to the Pheasantry (Barn and Snowy owls).

Here's a list with links to some of our main events - do take a closer look and we look forward to welcoming you.

• Queen Katherine Parr Quincentenary Festival (1st April to 28th October)
• Easter Trail (8th April)
• Spring Grand Sale (26th to 29th April)
• Rose Week (11th to 17th July)
• NGS Open Day (12th October)
• Halloween Happenings (28th October)