The imposing Berkeley castle guards the small town of Berkeley in Gloucestershire, as it has done for over 800 years, and the same family that built it still lives there, while sharing its beauty with visitors in the spring and summer. Berkeley’s setting is magnificent with the gentle hills of the Cotswolds to the east and the mighty Severn river to the west. In between hills and river is the fertile Vale of Berkeley with its orchards and mistletoe, grazing sheep, and fields of wheat and flax.

Although Berkeley stands in the vale surrounded by countryside, it is only a short drive to the historic port of Bristol and the same distance to the magnificent cathedral at Gloucester. In twenty minutes, you will be transported to Wales and the valley of the River Wye, with the ruins of Tintern Abbey, immortalised by Wordsworth. There will also be visits to other treasures in Gloucestershire, including Hidcote Gardens, one of Britain’s loveliest. You will also visit Bath, a Roman city with a Georgian facade. Closer to home, the wildfowl sanctuary at Slimbridge, founded by Sir Peter Scott, will entertain everyone, as will Berkeley’s very own castle.

There are many historic connections with Berkeley. Edward II was murdered at the castle in 1327 by his scheming wife and nobles. In 1619, pilgrims left Berkeley for America, one year before the Plymouth pilgrims, and founded a settlement in Virginia. Queen Elizabeth I out-stayed her welcome by over-hunting the deer in the Berkeley’s deer park. It has a herd of deer to this day.

The parish church of St. Mary the Virgin was built at the same time as the castle. The cathedral style of the church that we see today mostly dates from 1230. It is magnificently decorated inside with carved stonework which escaped damage by Cromwell’s soldiers in 1645, and also with ancient wall-paintings of a type and extent which is most unusual for England. The interior was restored by Sir Gilbert Scott in the 1860s.

Your visit to Berkeley will take you to a small peaceful country town where you can browse in the antique shops, walk in the deer park, visit the bell-ringers, enjoy the butterfly house, and just absorb the atmosphere. A parishioner’s open-air swimming pool will be at your disposal for relaxation.

Thursday - Guests arrive, are welcomed and escorted to their host families.

Friday - Coffee at the Vicarage followed by a tour of Berkeley Castle. Afternoon visit to our church, St Mary the Virgin.

Saturday - Visit to Hidcote gardens, then an opportunity to shop at Stow on the Wold in the heart of the Cotswolds.

Sunday - Morning church service with afternoon visit to some of the sights of Bristol.

Monday - Morning visit to Gloucester Cathedral, used in the Harry Potter films, followed by cream tea in the afternoon.

Tuesday - Morning at the renowned Slimbridge Wildfowl Park with a free afternoon to visit the hunt kennels, castle butterfly house and gardens or just relax.

Wednesday - Day trip into Wales and the beautiful Wye Valley, with Tintern Abbey.

Thursday - A day in Bath including a visit to the Roman Baths, after morning coffee in the famous Pump Rooms restaurant. Farewell dinner.

Friday - Guests depart.