Visited June 2024

Location	Ruardean, Gloucestershire
Entrance Fee	No
Railway Station Nearby	No
Parking	Yes- roadside
Facilities	None
Map

A small fortified castle built on a hill in this Forest of Dean town, Ruardean Castle was thought to have been established before the Norman conquest, although the scant remains we see today probably date back to a 14th century rebuild.

Visited April 2011

Location	Beverston, Gloucestershire
Entrance Fee	Yes
Railway Station	No
Parking	Yes
Facilities	Toilets, Refreshments
Map

Just to make it clear from the start, Beverston Castle is privately owned and not generally open to the public, however once a year it is opened in aid of charity under the National Garden Scheme, and this is when we viewed it.

Review

Although Beverston Castle was originally built by Maurice of Gaunt in 1229, there was a settlement on the site at the time of the Domesday book, a fact which is acknowledged with a plaque on the wall of the stables to the side of the castle. Maurice's castle was re-modelled in the 14th Century by Lord Berkeley, of Berkeley Castle, and it was at this time the gatehouse was added. At one time there would have been a massive portcullis on the gatehouse, but after the civil war the castle was slighted and the gatehouse was left in ruins.  The castle was protected by a ditch, which can still be seen and forms part of the extensive gardens. There is a pretty stone bridge across it today.

The remains of the tower can be seen from the garden terrace, there is a house built onto it and this is still inhabited, but there is no chance to see inside the castle itself. The only part of the interior we had access to was one of the gatehouse tower rooms, which is being used as a wood store.  As it is the gardens which are open for charity and not the castle then we can't really complain, as without the generosity of the owners in opening up their gardens there would be no access at all to the castle. On the day we went there were teas and home made cake available, and toilet facilities. It is certainly worth visiting on open garden day if you are close enough, but please respect the owners right to privacy at all other times.

More info:  The Gatehouse

Also see: National Gardens Scheme for open days

Visited July 2011

Location	St Briavels, Gloucestershire
Entrance Fee	No
Railway Station	No
Parking	Yes
Facilities	None
Map

Visited April 2011

Location	Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Entrance Fee	Yes( Check website for current prices)
Railway Station	No
Parking	Yes
Facilities	Toilets, Play Area, Cafe, Picnics, Gardens
Map

As you can see from this picture, Sudeley is a handsome-looking castle with beautiful landscaped gardens and lots of space for running around and letting off steam. It is also steeped in history- especially of interest to fans of the Tudor era as Henry VIII visited with Anne Boleyn, and the castle was also once owned by Henry's sixth wife Katherine Parr, whose tomb can be found in the chapel.