Sudeley Castle

Discover beautiful Cotswold gardens

Sudeley Castle & Gardens offers one of the best family days out in the Cotswolds this summer. Set within 1,200 acres near Winchcombe, the historic castle features 10 stunning gardens filled with colourful flowers and peaceful spaces. Families can picnic on the lawns or enjoy refreshments from the Pavilion Café and Shepherd’s Hut. The Queens’ Garden dazzles with more than 80 varieties of roses, while the Knot Garden celebrates Tudor history with its intricate design.

Enjoy family adventures together

Children can explore the exciting adventure playground with climbing walls, slides, bridges, a zip wire and an assault course. Families can also spot giant animal sculptures across the grounds, including elephants, stags and a giant hedgehog. Inside the castle, fascinating exhibitions bring history to life, including a lock of Katherine Parr’s hair. Children under three and Blue Peter Badge holders enjoy free admission.

Experience unforgettable summer events

The summer programme offers something for every generation. Wild Arts brings an evening of opera on 13 July, while The Duke’s Theatre Company performs Romeo & Juliet on 1 and 2 August. Food lovers can also enjoy An Evening with Prue Leith on 12 September. Later in the month, acclaimed tenor Jon Morrell performs Schubert’s Winterreise in the beautiful chapel.

Watch birds of prey in action

Nature lovers can enjoy the Falcons in Flight experience every Tuesday and Thursday from 21 July to 27 August. Expert falconers showcase magnificent birds as they soar across the castle grounds. Visitors also learn fascinating facts about these impressive hunters.

Step into living history

Young visitors can follow the Knight Trail during the summer holidays. Interactive activities include target practice, dressing up and medieval storytelling. Later, the Civil War Re-enactment Weekend on 15 and 16 August recreates dramatic moments from England’s past with battle displays, living history camps and themed food.

Save money on summer days out

Families can enjoy reduced ticket prices from 25 June until 1 September through the Great British Summer Savings campaign. This offer makes exploring Sudeley Castle even better value during the school holidays. For more information and tickets, visit www.sudeleycastle.co.uk.

By Fergus McCarthy

Fergus McCarthy is a seasoned publishing professional with over three decades of experience in the media industry. In 1993, he co-founded Parents News, a pioneering publication aimed at providing busy parents in Southwest London with essential information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly activities. Under his leadership, Parents News quickly expanded its reach from 60,000 to 192,000 monthly printed copies, establishing additional branches in Kent, South London, Northern Ireland, and Cornwall. In 1997, recognizing the potential of digital media, Fergus helped launch Parents News UK Online, which carried digital editions of the printed publication and offered a broader range of national information. The website's popularity soared, attracting up to 700 daily hits at its peak. Although Parents News transitioned to an online-only platform in 2017, Fergus continues to play a vital role as Publisher and Advertising Manager, focusing on providing value to businesses through effective advertorials.