Berkeley Castle and Gardens

Berkeley Castle has evolved over 900 years from a Fort to a medieval Castle, to the wonderful family home you see today. The gardens have transitioned with the building, and are now a haven of colour, peace, and scent.

Over time, successive generations have softened the stern aspect of the Castle walls with flowers, until finally the present planting of the terraces was carried out with the help of Gertrude Jekyll at the turn of the last century.

The gardens specialise in scent and the roses in particular are a delight in June. Rare plants, shrubs and trees are to be enjoyed.

The Lily Pond was first built as a swimming pool during the time of the last Earl and his American Countess.
From here sweeping curved steps lead down to the Great Lawn on which the two remaining Culloden Pines stand. These are said to have been brought back as pine cones from the Battle of Culloden by the 4th Earl of Berkeley. The greater of the two trees is in its own sunken circle: this was because the level of the Great Lawn was raised in the 1920s to prevent flooding.

Make sure you take a guided tour of the Castle and find out about its amazing history.