First Camping Trip of 2026 (Part 1) - Sudeley Castle

 Two beheadings out of six wives is too many - Henry VIII

It was late April and the weather forecast was good: warm, sunny days and not too cold at night. Time for our first camping trip of the season? Where to go? We didn't want to travel too far (maybe one to one & half hours maximum) and it would be nice to visit somewhere new. I suggested the Camping & Caravanning Club site at Winchcombe (41 miles, 1 hour by car) which we've used a number of times and highly recommend.

Photo 1: Sunset over Winchcombe Camping & Caravanning Site (29th April)

Nearby is Sudeley Castle (4 miles, 10 minutes) in the historic town of Winchcombe. For some reason we have never visited before despite often being nearby; so this seemed like a good opportunity.

On the way, we stopped off at the Malverns to view the bluebells that cover the western down slopes of the Malvern Hills (Photo 2) ...

Photo 2: Bluebells on the Western Slopes of the Malverns

... then onto the campsite with a stop-off at Morrisons in Tewkesbury for supplies. After setting up camp we relaxed for a couple of hours. After dinner,we made use of a gorgeous evening to do a circular walk to The Royal Oak at Gretton for a pint before returning back to camp (about 7 miles). No problems sleeping that night!

The next day was a little overcast, though still warm, so ideal for visiting Sudeley Castle & Gardens. The admission price was £21 each (over 60s) which seemed reasonable for a privately-owned estate. After paying to go in, it is a short walk passed a ruined chapel before the main building comes into view (Photo 3) ...

Photo 3: First Glimpse of Sudeley Castle (28th April)

Sudeley Castle origins date back to 1443 when the 1st Baron Sudeley (Ralph Boteler, Lord High Treasurer of England) started the building process on the site of a 12th Century fortified manor house. In 1469, it was confiscated by King Edward IV (Lancastrian Ralph Boteler had picked the wrong side in the War of the Roses!). During the Tudor period (1485 - 1603), it changed hands many times before, in 1547, it was given to Thomas Seymour, brother of Jane Seymour (3rd wife of Henry VIII) and husband of Katherine Parr (the surviving 6th and final wife of Henry VIII).

Photo 4: Wives of Henry VIII, Sudeley Castle (April 2026)

Unfortunately for Thomas, he literally lost his head in 1549 and Katherine's brother (Willian Parr) inherited Sudeley Castle. Katherine only lived at Sudeley Castle for 3 months before dying from puerperal fever just 6 days after giving birth to her daughter, Mary. Despite this brief stay, Sudeley Castle pays a huge homage to Katherine Parr.

During the English Civil War (1642 - 1651), Sudeley Castle once again picked the wrong side (Royalists) and the castle was 'slighted' (i.e. part demolished and left as a ruin) in 1649 after falling to Parliamentary forces. After nearly 200 years as a romantic ruin, the estate was bought in 1837 by John and William Dent, wealthy glove makers from Worcester. They rebuilt/extended the castle and the family continue to live there.

There is plenty to see in the numerous & varied gardens surrounding the Castle.  Here are a few photos ...

Photo 5: Knot Garden, Sudeley Castle (April 2026)

Photo 6: St Mary's Church, Sudeley Castle (April 2026)

Photo 7: Sudeley Castle, Ruins and Victorian Rebuild (April 2026)

Photo 8: Topiary at Sudeley Castle & Gardens (April 2026)

Photo 9: St Mary's Church centre), Sudeley Castle (left)

Photo 10: Sudeley Castle & Gardens (April 2026)

Photo 11: St Mary's Church, Sudeley Castle (April 2026)

Photo 12: Multi-coloured Tulip Display, Sudeley Castle (April 2026)

Photo 13: Topiary, Sudeley Castle (April 2026)

Photo 14: Elephant Sculpture, Sudeley Castle (April 2026)

Photo 15: Fighting Stags, Sudeley Castle (April 2026)

Photo 16: Topiary, Sudeley Castle & Gardens (April 2026)

We spent about 6 hours touring parts of the castle and the extensive gardens including a couple of breaks for lunch and afternoon drinks (choice of cakes, savouries was a bit disappointing). The gardens were delightful and the displays in the castle were informative. Mary was enthused by the many textile and embroidery displays. Overall, good value for money. As we drove away, the car park was almost empty; perhaps the average stay is a little less than the six hours we spent at Sudeley Castle & Gardens!