Sudeley Castle

Sudeley Castle, home of Lord and Lady Ashcombe, is one of England's great historic houses with royal connections stretching back 1000 years. Once the property of King Ethelred the Unready, Sudeley was later the magnificent palace of Queen Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth wife, who is buried in the Castle church. Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey and Elizabeth I all stayed at the Castle as did Charles I, whose nephew Prince Rupert made it his headquarters during the Civil War. During the 19th century a programme of reconstruction under the aegis of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, restored Sudeley for its new owners, the Dent brothers. The interiors were largely furnished with pieces bought by the Dents at the famous Strawberry Hill sale when the contents of Horace Walpole's house were sold. Surrounding the castle are eight enchanting gardens which have gained international recognition. In 1996 the family was the recipient of the HHA/Christie's `Garden of the Year' award. Famous for its topiary and its fine collection of old roses, the visitor must see the Queen's Garden, the Tudor Knot Garden, the Secret Garden designed by Rosemary Verey and the Victorian Kitchen Garden featuring vegetables grown during that era and which are cultivated under natural organic conditions. Visitors can wander through the Tythe Barn ruins, past the carp and wildfowl ponds to the castle, which contains some interesting pieces of Civil War memorabilia as well as pictures by Turner, Van Dyck and Rubens. An excellent restaurant, gift shop and a new plant centre specialising in old-fashioned roses complete a perfect day. Historic Houses Association Member. OPENING TIMES SUMMER: Gardens, Exhibition Centre, Shop & Plant Centre 6 March - 31 October Daily: 10.30am - 5.30pm. Castle Apartments & Church 6 March - 31 October Daily: 11am - 5pm. Restaurant 3 April - 31 October Daily: 10.30am - 5.30pm. WINTER Grouops (30+) by appointment