The Best Castles to Visit in Gloucestershire
· Updated
Gloucestershire holds four castles worth planning a trip around: Berkeley, where King Edward II was murdered in 1327 and where the same family has lived for nearly 900 years; Sudeley, the burial place of Katherine Parr; Thornbury, an early Tudor manor that hosted Henry VIII and is now a hotel; and St Briavels, a former royal castle deep in the Forest of Dean that you can sleep in tonight. Between them they cover Norman keeps, Tudor court drama and award-winning gardens, all inside easy reach of the Cotswolds and the Wye Valley.
The county sits where the Severn Vale meets the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with the Forest of Dean and the Welsh border to the west. That mix of open countryside and river valley is exactly why these castles were built here, and it makes for a brilliant few days of history and walking from a single base.
This guide is part of our wider guide to camping near Britain's castles, and it comes from Camping Sites in Britain, where you can find and compare campsites, caravan parks and glamping across the UK.
The four castles at a glance
Each castle offers something different, so your choice depends on whether you want gardens, a proper fortress, a Tudor stay or a night behind medieval walls. This table sorts them out fast.
| Castle | Nearest town | Best known for | Can you stay? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley Castle | Berkeley, near the Severn | Murder of Edward II, 900 years of one family | No, day visits only |
| Sudeley Castle | Winchcombe, Cotswolds | Katherine Parr's tomb and 10 gardens | Yes, self-catering cottages on the estate |
| Thornbury Castle | Thornbury, South Gloucestershire | Tudor manor, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn | Yes, it is a hotel |
| St Briavels Castle | St Briavels, Forest of Dean | Royal castle, now a youth hostel | Yes, YHA hostel |
Berkeley Castle
Berkeley is the one to see if you want a real castle with a real story. Standing above the Severn Vale between Bristol and Gloucester, it has been the home of the Berkeley family for close to 900 years, one of the longest unbroken family occupations of any castle in England. The 12th-century keep, the Great Hall and the medieval kitchens are all still here, along with the cell where Edward II was held and murdered in September 1327.
Inside you will find the armoury, the picture gallery and rooms lived in across the centuries, while the terraced gardens and butterfly house make it a good half-day out for families. Check current opening times and admission on the official Berkeley Castle site before you go, as it opens on selected days through the season rather than daily.
Sudeley Castle
Sudeley is the castle for gardens and Tudor history, set just outside Winchcombe in the heart of the Cotswolds AONB. It is the only private castle in England with a queen buried in its grounds: Katherine Parr, the sixth and last wife of Henry VIII, lived and died here and rests in St Mary's Church beside the house. Her tomb is a short walk from the ticket office.
The estate is best known for its 10 award-winning gardens, including the Queens' Garden ringed by hundreds of rose bushes, plus ruins, a pheasantry and an adventure playground for younger visitors. Opening is seasonal, so confirm dates and ticket prices on the official Sudeley Castle site. Winchcombe itself sits on the Cotswold Way, so you can pair the castle with a proper walk.
Thornbury Castle
Thornbury is the castle you can sleep in. Begun in 1511 for Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, it is one of the few genuine early Tudor fortified manors in the country, and Henry VIII stayed here with Anne Boleyn in 1535 after the crown seized it. Today it is a luxury hotel, so the main way to experience it is to book a room, dinner or afternoon tea.
The Tudor gatehouse, the coroneted chimneys and the walled Tudor garden, said to be one of the oldest in England, are all intact. It sits in South Gloucestershire near the Severn crossings, making it an easy detour if you are travelling between Bristol and the county proper. Rooms and dining are booked directly through the official Thornbury Castle site.
St Briavels Castle
St Briavels is the castle for anyone who wants a night behind medieval walls without a luxury price tag. This former royal castle sits high in the Forest of Dean above the Wye Valley, close to Offa's Dyke and the Welsh border. Built from the 12th century, it served as an administrative centre for the royal Forest of Dean and as a workshop making crossbow bolts for the Crown, and King John used it as a hunting lodge.
The site is cared for by English Heritage and run as a YHA hostel, so you can book a bed inside the gatehouse and moat. It makes a superb base for walking, cycling and canoeing in the Forest of Dean and along the Wye. Check the English Heritage listing for any daytime access details and the YHA for room availability.
Planning a castle camping trip in Gloucestershire
The four castles form a rough triangle across the county, so a long weekend covers them comfortably from one campsite. Berkeley and Thornbury sit close together in the south west near the Severn; Sudeley is north east near Winchcombe in the Cotswolds; St Briavels is west in the Forest of Dean. Base yourself between them and you avoid packing up every night.
For pitches, glamping and caravan parks across the county and the wider region, search the Camping Sites in Britain directory and filter by location and facilities. The Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean both have plenty of sites, so pick the corner that matches the castles you most want to see.
If Gloucestershire is one stop on a bigger castle tour, our neighbouring guides are worth a look: the best castles to visit in Somerset just to the south, the must-visit castles in Shropshire up the Welsh border, and Wales's majestic castles for a family camping journey across the Wye.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best castle to visit in Gloucestershire?
Berkeley Castle is the best all-round visit for history, as a genuine lived-in medieval fortress with the Edward II story. For gardens choose Sudeley, and for an overnight stay choose Thornbury or St Briavels.
Where was Edward II murdered?
Edward II was held and killed at Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire in September 1327, after being forced to give up the throne. The castle still shows the cell traditionally linked to his death.
Can you stay overnight in a Gloucestershire castle?
Yes. Thornbury Castle is a luxury hotel, St Briavels Castle is a YHA hostel in the Forest of Dean, and Sudeley Castle has self-catering cottages on its estate. Berkeley is day visits only.
Which queen is buried at Sudeley Castle?
Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII, is buried at Sudeley Castle. Her tomb is in St Mary's Church in the grounds, a short walk from the house and gardens.
Are Gloucestershire's castles good for families?
Yes. Berkeley has a butterfly house and terraced gardens, Sudeley has an adventure playground and pheasantry, and St Briavels offers a hands-on medieval stay. All work well for a day out with children.
How many castles are there in Gloucestershire?
Gloucestershire has several castle sites and ruins, but four stand out to visit: Berkeley, Sudeley, Thornbury and St Briavels. Together they cover Norman, medieval and Tudor history across the county.
The short version
Base yourself in the Cotswolds or the Forest of Dean and you can see all four of Gloucestershire's great castles in a single trip: Berkeley for medieval history, Sudeley for gardens, Thornbury for a Tudor stay and St Briavels for a night in the walls. For more castle days out across the country, see our guide to camping near Britain's castles, or find your pitch in the Camping Sites in Britain directory.
