Set against the picturesque splendour of rolling Cotswold hills, Sudeley Castle Gardens & Exhibitions is located some half mile across the meadows to the south east of the town centre.

Access by car is from Abbey Terrace via Vineyard Street and the Castle’s main West Drive. There is ample free parking for visitors.

First owned by King Ethelred the Unready in the 10th century, the Castle has since witnessed royal romance and intrigue, periods of peace and tranquillity and times of harsh battle.

Much of the Castle was built by Admiral Ralph Boteler in the reign of Henry V and still stands today. The buildings were added to by Sir Thomas Seymour, Baron of Sudeley. It was the Baron who married Katherine of Parr after the death of Henry VIII and made the Castle fit for his dowager Queen.

During the English Civil War Prince Rupert established Sudeley as his strategic headquarters. Having survived two sieges as a Royalist garrison, Sudeley finally capitulated to Cromwell’s forces. The Castle was “slighted”, ensuring it would not be used as a military fortress again.

Today it is still possible to capture the atmosphere of Sudeley’s important past. The magnificent Banqueting Hall ruins where, at different times, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I and Charles I all dined is still a majestic sight.

During the Victorian era much of the Castle was restored by the Dent brothers, glovemakers from Worcester.

Sudeley seem to be trying to position themselves more as Gardens and less as a Castle. Visits to the Castle's private apartments are now only possible through Connoisseur Tours, which are only available Tuesday to Thursday, 10.30am to 5.00pm.

The Children's Adventure Playground was closed during the 2007 season. We are pleased to report that the playground (which contains a large wooden fort) was extensively refurbished over the Winter and it is now open again, complete with new picnic benches for parents. The fort has high level walkways connecting it to the trees, a giant slide and a new zip line. The kids will love it!

The Sudeley Plant Centre stocks a wide selection of old fashioned roses, shrubs, trees and herbaceous plants. There is also a picnic area, the Pheasantry, St Mary's Church, thirteen holiday cottages and various rooms available for private functions.

When leaving Sudeley it is advisable to follow the signposted route along Rushley Lane. A left turn on to the B4632 brings one back into Winchcombe along Hailes Street with its beautiful old half-timbered and stone houses. There is an alternative route taking one more directly into the town and to Cheltenham. Turn immediately to the left on leaving the car park - this will lead to the centre of Winchcombe by way of Castle Street, taking particular care at its junction with the High Street.

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