Berkeley Castle re-opens to the public on Mothering Sunday (3rd April) and remains open, on selected days, until the end of October. During that time there are many events and activities to enjoy. Below is the full list of events throughout the season with a short description:
APRIL
Mother’s Day
Sunday 3rd April 2011 - 11.00am - 5.30pm
After the re-wiring works that have been undertaken during the Winter, Berkeley Castle re-opens on Sunday 3rd April 2011, Mothering Sunday. To celebrate, every Mum visiting the Castle will be given a free gift (subject to availability). Why not treat Mum or Grandma to a gift voucher presentation pack to the Castle, which includes admission, a guide book, a guided tour and as an optional extra, a cream tea in our Tea Room?
Easter School Holidays at the Castle Sun 10th - Mon 25th April 2011 (on selected days)
Visit Berkeley Castle during the Easter School Holidays and enjoy a range of activities for the kids. In addition to the guided tour around the Castle with one of the fabulous guides, why not take part in one of our quizzes (suitable for most age ranges) - with a prize for correct entries? In addition, follow the Easter Egg Garden trail through the 8 acres of Castle Gardens and win a prize if all are found. Alternatively you can track down the Easter Bunnies in the Easter Bunny Castle Trail, win again if you can name them all. All activities are included within the normal admission charge.
Family Fun Easter Activities
Easter Weekend Fri 22nd - Mon 25th April 2011
Join in the family fun in the Great Hall. Raising funds for the Sue Ryder Hospice at Leckhampton, there will be a home-made cake stall (subject to availability), tombola, second-hand book stall, arts and crafts, garden games and much more.
Visit the Butterfly House in the walled garden as it opens for the year. See pupae hatching in the nursery as the life-cycle of up to 25 tropical species of butterflies starts. The Easter Egg Garden Trail, the Easter Bunny Castle Trail and the Children's Quizzes will also be available throughout the weekend.
MAY
Butterfly Activities Weekend
Bank Holiday Sunday 1st – Monday 2nd May 2011 11.00am - 5.30pm
Visit the Butterfly House, follow the Butterfly Garden Trail, listen to Butterfly Tales from the Castle Storytellers and make Butterfly inspired Arts & Crafts - all of which is included within the Global Admission Ticket to the Castle. Not to mention the tour of the Castle!
Weds 11thth May (Evg)
Archaeology Dig Update Lecture with Dr. Stuart Prior (Friends of Berkeley Castle)
Evening lecture with Dr. Prior from the University of Bristol regarding the annual student archaeology dig at Berkeley; covering the history of the area, the aims of the dig, the finds so far and the hopes for this year.
Sun 22nd May (Evg)
Spring Evening Concert in the Great Hall
This concert features some of the most beautiful music ever written for combinations of flute, harp and strings. The composers are Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Debussy, and the programme includes Derek Smith’s highly acclaimed quintet arrangement (for flute, harp and string trio) of Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto K299. The players, all highly acclaimed and firmly established artists, are:
Sarah Newbold (flute), Katherine Thomas (harp), and three members of the Maggini Quartet:
David Angel (violin), Martin Outram (viola) and Michal Kaznowski (cello).
Tickets are £27 (including wine) from the ESO Box Office (01386 791044). Concert promoted by Espressivo www.espressivo.org.uk
Mon 30th May (Meadow)
Classic Car Show
Visit the Castle Meadow to see the annual Classic Car Show.
JUNE
Half Term 31s May - 2nd June
Teddy Bear’s Picnic Events
Visitors to the Castle can enjoy a Teddy Bear Trail through the Gardens & another throughout the Castle, as well as Teddy inspired arts & crafts and storytelling – all included within the admission price. Bring your teddy with you, and enjoy your own picnic in the Castle grounds (weather permitting), or treat yourself to a picnic from the Tea Room.
Sun 5th June (Gardens & Evg)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Lord Chamberlain’s Men
Evening, outside performance of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Bring a picnic, a seat and a jumper. This annual event always proves to be very popular – whatever the weather! Performed on the Lower Lawn adjacent to the Lily Pond.
Weds 8th June (Evg)
Tour of the Archaeological Dig (Friends of Berkeley Castle)
Opportunity to view the dig sites from this year’s University of Bristol Archaeological Digs in Berkeley, with guides Dr. Stuart Prior and Professor Mark Horton.
Sunday 12th June (Evg)
A Summer Night’s Dream – An Unusual Musical Rendezvous of Violin, Baritone & Piano.
Anglo-German Pianist and Conductor Dorian Keilhack presents an evening with friends in the Great Hall at Berkeley Castle.
Fri 17th – Sun 19th June (Meadow)
Lister Tyndale Steam Rally
Visit the Castle Meadow to see the annual Steam Rally.
JULY
Sun 17th July (Evg)
‘A Baronial household of the time of Thomas 3rd Lord Berkeley, 1326-61’ – Friends of Berkeley Castle Lecture with Henry Phythian-Adams.
Evening lecture in the Great Hall with retired history school-master, Henry Phythian-Adams.
Sun 24th July (Gardens & Evg)
Around the World in 80 Days – Jenny Wren Productions
Evening, outside performance of Around the World in 80 Days by Jenny Wren Productions. Bring a picnic, a seat and a jumper. This annual event always proves to be very popular – whatever the weather! Performed on the Lower Lawn adjacent to the Lily Pond.
Sat 30th – Sun 31st July (Meadow & Castle)
The Berkeley Skirmish
Visit the ‘rumbustious medieval romp’ that is the annual Berkeley Skirmish. Experience the mediaeval world of jousting, archery, falconry. Shop at mediaeval market stalls and modern trade stands. Spectate whilst hundreds of costumed re-enactors take centre stage for battles and skirmishes.
AUGUST
Summer Holidays Throughout August (Tues – Thurs)
Children’s Activities
In addition to a guided tour of the Castle, visitors can also enjoy jester skills (Tuesdays), ‘come and try’ archery sessions (Wednesdays) and arts & crafts (Thursdays) throughout August – all included within the Castle admission price.
Sun 7th August (Evg)
Berkeley and the Civil War with the Sealed Knot
Join the Charles Gerard’s Regiment of the Sealed Knot Society at Berkeley Castle, including a living history camp and display of arms. In addition meet guards from the regiment on garrison duty around the Castle, and understand what happened in Berkeley during the Civil War.
Sun 14th August (Evg)
Friends of Berkeley Castle Treasure Hunt and Garden Party with Charles Berkeley
Mon 29th August (Meadow)
The Berkeley Show
One of the biggest annual events in the area – a must see for the Bank Holiday weekend.
SEPTEMBER
Sunday 11th September
Castle2Castle Cycle Challenge - The Stroke Association
Your chance to raise funds for the Stroke Association by cycling from Berkeley Castle to Chepstow Castle (and back again!)
Wednesday 14th September (Evg)
Wedding Open Evening
If you are about to get married, or have only just got engaged, why not come along to the Berkeley Castle Wedding Open Evening. There are great prizes to be won, and an opportunity to meet other members of the Cotswold Wedding Guild and all the Castle’s regular wedding suppliers.
Sunday 18th September (Meadow)
Volkswagen Car Show
A new show for the Berkeley Castle Meadow, organised by the Classic Car Show event organisers.
Mon 26th September (Evg)
Lecture with Neil Eddiford (Friends of Berkeley Castle)
Evening lecture by Neil Eddiford on The Long Bow.
OCTOBER
Weds 19th Oct (Evg)
Quiz Night (Friends of Berkeley Castle)
Pit your quiz team against the might of the others, in this fund-raising evening.
Half Term Tues 25th – Thurs 27th October
The Story of King Edward II at Berkeley Castle
Visitors to the Castle will be able to enjoy performances telling the story of King Edward II and his untimely end at Berkeley Castle from historians and re-enactors from Past Pleasures. Meet the characters as they stroll through the Castle – all included within the Castle admission price. (Suitable for children.)
NOVEMBER
Sunday 6th November (Afternoon)
Lecture with Castle Archivist David Smith (Friends of Berkeley Castle)
David Smith discusses “The Great Dispute”.
DECEMBER
Weds 7th December (Evg)
The Castle at Christmas with the University of the West of England Choir
(Friends of Berkley Castle)
Join the Friends for a festive evening concert in the Great Hall.
Sun 11th December (Evg)
English String Orchestra’s Christmas Concert
Join the ESO for their annual Christmas concert in the Great Hall.
Fri 16th – Sun 18th December (Evg)
Castle by Candlelight
Back by popular demand, take this magical opportunity to tour the Castle, decorated for Christmas, by candlelight. Santa will be available in his acclaimed Grotto in the Beer Cellar and festive entertainment is included. A festive treat not to be missed.
T: 01453 810332
F: 01453 512995
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