Castles & Heritage Sites in Gloucestershire
Berkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle is an amazingly well preserved fortress overlooking the River Severn. It has been the home of the Berkeley family since it was first built 1153. After nearly 1000 years of rich history the castle still stands intact, including its massive keep and dungeons. Formal gardens and rose-clad terraces surround the elegant castle buildings.
Opening times: Apr~Oct, Tue-Sat & BHs 11am - 4pm, Sun 2pm - 5pm
Admission Charge
Location: Berkeley GL13 9BQ (on A38 between
Bristol & Gloucester) - Tel: 01453 8l0332 - Website
Facilities: parking, cafe, shop and garden centre. Can be hired for weddings.
Image Credit: Philip Halling (CC2)
Chedworth Roman Villa
Said to be Britain's oldest Romano-British county house and one of the largest villas of its kind discovered in England. The excavated remains contain many fine 4th century mosaics, a detailed and well preserved hypocaust system, plus several bath houses and a temple.
Run by the National Trust - parking and entrance fees may apply, see
website for details.
Location: Yanworth, Gloucestershire, GL54 3LJ - Tel: 01242 890256
Facilities: parking, audio tours, shop, disabled facilities. Children's activities and trails. Access for school groups.
Clearwell Caves Ancient Iron Mines
A network of natural caves that were once mined for paint pigment and iron ore in ancient times. Pre-booked tours of the deep underground caverns are available for the more adventurous visitors.
Opening times: Mar~Oct: daily 10am - 5pm, Jan~Feb: Sat-Sun 10am - 5pm. Admission Charge
Location: Clearwell, GLl6 8JR - Tel: 01594 832535
- Website
Facilities: parking, cafe and gift shop, disabled facilities. Access for school groups.
Dean Heritage Centre
Museum, with galleries and outside displays, that recount the story of the local area and its heritage.
Opening times: all year, daily, Winter 10am - 4pm, Summer 10am - 5.30pm (closed Xmas). Admission Charge
Location: Camp Mill, Forest of Dean (on the
B4227), GL14 2UB - Tel: 01594 822170 - Website
Facilities: parking (charged), cafe, shop, disabled facilities.
Hailes Abbey
Once a place of great pilgrimage - now all that remains of this great 13th century medieval abbey is a field of serene ruins. An on-site museum tells the story of its long history.
Run by English Heritage - parking and
entrance fees may apply, see website for details.
Location: Hailes (near Winchcombe), Gloucestershire, GL545PB - Tel: 01242 602398 Website
Facilities: parking, shop, disabled access.
Odda's Chapel
Restored Saxon chapel, built in 1056 by Earl Odda.
Opening times: Apr~Oct: daily 10am - 6pm; Nov~Mar, daily 10am - 4pm. (closed Xmas). Free Entry
Location: Deerhurst, Gloucestershire.
Facilities: parking (charged)
Prinknash Abbey and Pottery
The abbey site dates from the 14th century. In 1928 it was given back to the Benedictine monks as an abbey. The New Abbey was consecrated in 1972. The site is also home to a reconstruction of the Great Orpheus Pavement - the largest mosaic in Britain. The grounds contain a bird and deer park.
Opening times: all year: Abbey Church: Apr~Oct: 9am - 5.30pm, Nov~Mar: 10am - 4.30pm (closed Good Fri & Xmas). Admission free to grounds. Admission Charge to Orpheus Pavement
Location: Cranham (near Painswick), GL4 8EX
- Tel: 01452 812066 - Website
Facilities: parking, cafe, gift shop, disabled facilities.
Sudeley Castle & Gardens
Once an important English palace and home to Henry VIII's wife, Catherine Parr, who lies buried in its Chapel. Many other important historic royal visitors have stayed here, such as Anne Boleyn, Lady lane Grey and Elizabeth I. Surround by very ancient formal gardens and parkland.
Opening times: opening times vary, phone or see website for details. Admission Charge
Location: Winchcombe, GL54 5JD - Tel: 01242
602308 - Website
Facilities: parking, restaurant, shop, garden centre.
Uley Long Barrow & Nympsfield Long Barrow
The Neolithic long barrow near Uley (known locally as Hetty Pegler's Tump), comprises a stone central passage, and three burial chambers. The Nympsfield Long Barrow (another Neolithic burial mound), is located nearby.
Run by English Heritage - free entry, see website for opening times.
Location: On the B4066, just north of Uley
Other Gloucestershire Attractions
City Museum | Cathedral | Docks | Folk Museum | Regiments Museum | St Oswald's
Attractions & Theme Parks:
Bourton-on-the-Water Model Village | Cotswold Motoring Museum | Dean Forest Railway | Edward Jenner Museum | Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway | Jet Age Museum | Keith Harding's World of Mechanical Music | Oakham Treasures
Castles, Monuments & Heritage Sites:
Berkeley Castle | Chedworth Roman Villa | Clearwell Caves Ancient Iron Mines | Dean Heritage Centre | Hailes Abbey | Odda's Chapel | Prinknash Abbey and Pottery | Sudeley Castle & Gardens | Uley Long Barrow
Gardens & Historic Houses:
Bourton House Garden | Chavenage House | Dyrham Park | Hidcote Manor Garden | Kiftsgate Court Gardens | Littledean Hall | Lodge Park Sherborne Estate | Sezincote | Snowshill Manor | Westbury Court Garden | Westonbirt National Arboretum
Nature, Wildlife & Scenic Sites:
Birdland | Cotswold Falconry Centre | Cotswold Farm Park | Nature in Art | National Birds of Prey Centre | Prinknash Bird and Deer Park | Wildfowl Wetlands Trust
Select Another Region To Visit
Towns & Cities in Gloucestershire
Please note that the above information was accurate at the time this page was last updated. This information is subject to change at any time (opening times in particular), therefore if you plan on visiting any of the above attractions, please check the owner's website first or phone them for the latest details.