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Pictures of Berkeley

in the county of Gloucestershire

Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire

About Berkeley

Berkeley is a pretty town in a pleasant valley of the Severn Estuary, it attracts a host of visitors who find it a comfortable, friendly place with a plenty of historic reminders of the past.

The town is mostly Georgian, with the most dominant feature being its centuries old castle, surrounded by buttressed walls which are 14 ft-thick in parts. This has been the home of the Berkeley family since the 14th century, its history and beauty make it a premier tourist attraction for anyone visiting the town.

St.Mary's Church is fascinating with some original Norman features, there has been a place of worship in Berkeley since Saxon times, the present church in its lovely tranquil setting is mostly from the 13th century. It is of magnificent proportions compared to the size of the town, this possibly reflects the fact that Berkeley was an important during the Middle-Ages, with the church classified as a "Minster" church. St.Mary's is truly worthy of a visit, it has much to amaze and delight including wonderful Medieval wall paintings, and an interesting tower separated from the rest of the church. You can also see some excellent Berkeley family monuments. Edward Jenner, discoverer of vaccination, is buried in a grave beside the chancel. He was born in Berkeley in 1749, returning later to his home where he died in 1823.

The churchyard possesses a number of interesting table-top tombs, these are listed buildings in their own right. Amongst these are tombs displaying carved ships and anchors, these tell of the town's strong nautical traditions. There is also the tomb of Dickey Pearce, the last of England's court jesters, who died whilst at Berkeley Castle.

One of the best ways to discover Berkeley is to take a walking tour of the town, this points out the most important historic buildings and other places of interest. The old harbour area is particularly attractive and full of interest, this is where in the early 19th century ships arrived laden with cargoes of lovely textiles, fruit, wood and pottery. The Berkeley family barge was moored in what is now the castle meadow!

The Jenner Museum is a must for everyone interested in the history of medicine. He is the remarkable man whose discovery of vaccination has saved millions of lives throughout the world. The museum, in what was once Jenner's home gives a fascinating insight to his lifetimes work in immunology, his life and the times in which he lived.

There is a pretty garden surrounding the museum where you can see the hut where Jenner treated his patients, this is known now as "The Temple of Vaccina", close-by is the house given by Jenner to James Phipps as a "Thank You" gift.

If you are looking for somewhere to take the whole family, you need look no further than Berkeley's massive Cattle Country Park. This is located in beautiful countryside just outside the town, it offers all the fun of a giant adventure playground, but has a whole load of other attractions to suit everyone including a farm which is renowned for its collection of farm animals from around the world. The landscape is dotted with Bison, Highland Cattle, even East African Ankole and Wild Boar.

Cattle Country is a highly imaginative place, it offers peace and quiet as well as thrills and spills. There is a lovely meadow with a paddling pool, and perfect spots for enjoying an outdoor picnic.

Berkeley has a wide choice of shops, crafts and antiques, some charming old inns, in fact it has everything that goes to make a happy visit, as well as being a delightful location in which to spend a few days relaxing amidst the pleasures of a small historic town.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Berkeley

Berkeley Castle(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)Pictures
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust(4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction NE)Pictures
Frampton Court(6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction NE)Pictures
Frampton Manor(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction NE)Pictures
The Royal Forest of Dean(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction NW)Pictures
Oldown Country Park(8.2 miles, 13.3 km, direction SW)Pictures
Littledean Hall(8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction N)Pictures
St. Briavels Castle(8.5 miles, 13.8 km, direction NW)Pictures
Westbury Court Garden(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction N)Pictures
Chepstow Castle(10.2 miles, 16.3 km, direction W)Pictures
Flaxley Abbey(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction N)Pictures
Westonbirt Arboretum(11.8 miles, 19.1 km, direction SE)Pictures
Painswick Rococo Gardens(13.1 miles, 21.1 km, direction NE)Pictures
King Arthur's Cave(13.4 miles, 21.5 km, direction NW)Pictures
Robinswood Hill Country Park(13.8 miles, 22.2 km, direction NE)Pictures

All attractions in Berkeley
All attractions in Gloucestershire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Berkeley

Sharpness, in the county of Gloucestershire (2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction N)
Sharpness is best known for the fascinating waterway of the Gloucester and Sharpness canal, and the Victorian bonding houses built alongside it at Gloucester.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Slimbridge, in the county of Gloucestershire (4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction NE)
A visit to Slimbridge in the county of Gloucestershire not only offers the opportunity to explore a wealth of wildlife habitation, but the chance to savour some of the loveliest scenery in the Shire.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Dursley, a Historic Market Town in the county of Gloucestershire (4.6 miles, 7.5 km, direction E)
Dursley is an ancient place, set in lush greenery to the edge of the Cotswolds in the midst of the beautiful Vale of Berkley, close to the River Severn.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wotton under Edge, in the county of Gloucestershire (6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction SE)
This charming Cotswold village boasts a finely restored 14th-15th century church which retains some good brasses and an old Organ...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Frampton on Severn, a Picturesque Village in the county of Gloucestershire (7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction NE)
An ancient interesting village with a village green surrounded by beautiful half timbered properties
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Parkend, in the county of Gloucestershire (7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction NW)
Parkend is a quiet forest village, situated a few miles from Lydney.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

St Briavels, in the county of Gloucestershire (8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction W)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Nailsworth, a Historic Market Town in the county of Gloucestershire (10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction E)
Nailsworth is a handsome town that has a history stretching back to beyond Roman times.
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Severn Beach, in the county of Gloucestershire (12.5 miles, 20.1 km, direction SW)
From this pleasant spot it is possible to get the most marvellous views of the two impressive bridges spanning the River Severn.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Eastcombe, in the county of Gloucestershire (13.2 miles, 21.2 km, direction E)
Eastcombe is a beautiful hilltop village nestling in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Symonds Yat, in the county of Herefordshire (13.4 miles, 21.5 km, direction NW)
From whichever vantage point you choose all around Symonds Yat are scenes of incredible beauty.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Goodrich, in the county of Herefordshire (14.3 miles, 23.0 km, direction NW)
Everyone loves a castle, especially a ruinous castle, haunted by the romantic ghosts of two lovers fleeing the rampageous armies of the Civil War.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bisley, in the county of Gloucestershire (14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction E)
The village of Bisley is all charm. It has an excellent collection of very fine buildings as well as some interesting local folklore.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Walford, in the county of Herefordshire (14.5 miles, 23.4 km, direction NW)
Walford lies in the rural countryside about 4 miles from the old market town of Ross-on-Wye.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Aston Ingham, in the county of Herefordshire (15.3 miles, 24.6 km, direction N)
This is a serene pastoral village set in the rolling agricultural landscape of the valley of the River Wye.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Gloucestershire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Lydney Station(3.5 miles, 5.7 km, direction NW)
M5 Junction 14(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction S)
Cam & Dursley Station(4.6 miles, 7.5 km, direction NE)
M5 Junction 13(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction NE)
Bristol International Airport(24.0 miles, 38.6 km, direction SW)
Cardiff International Airport(43.5 miles, 70.0 km, direction SW)
Berkeley to London(101.1 miles, 162.7 km, direction E)

Hotels & Accommodation in Berkeley

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Berkeley center
Days Inn Hotel Gloucester - (North Bristol)(2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction SE)
Tortworth Court Four Pillars Hotel(4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction S)
Viney Hill Country Guesthouse(4.6 miles, 7.3 km, direction N)
Park Hotel(4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction S)
Thornbury Golf Lodge(6.7 miles, 10.9 km, direction SW)
Alveston House Hotel(7.7 miles, 12.3 km, direction SW)
Swan House Newnham(7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction N)
Stonehouse Court Hotel(7.9 miles, 12.8 km, direction NE)
Hunters Hall Inn(8.4 miles, 13.4 km, direction E)
The Speech House(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction NW)
All hotels in Berkeley

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