HISTORIC Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire has been awarded a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for a second year running, confirming its status as one of the best places to visit in Gloucestershire.

The news comes as the popular visitor attraction announces its line up of summer holiday activities for families this July and August, all free of charge with Castle entrance.

Charles Berkeley said, “We are all thrilled to have been recognised by tripadvisor as an attraction of excellence again.

It means a lot to us that the reviews on the website are unsolicited and posted by visitors who have enjoyed a great day out with us.

We will continue to strive to offer an interesting, enjoyable and great-value experience for all the family.”

The Castle is open Sunday – Wednesday from 11am – 5pm (last admission 4pm) and there is something lined up to bring history to life for visitors of all ages during the school summer holidays.

Join Bev on Sundays for a range of arts & crafts activities, including shield making, castle modelling and ‘under the sea’ quizzes.

Cassandra Wye will be weaving her animated tales again each Monday, telling stories with hand puppets and ideas from the children in and around the Castle.

You can learn a few tricks from Monty the jester on Tuesdays and try your hand at archery on Wednesdays.

Entry costs are: adult £10.00, junior (3-16) £5.50, children 2 and under are free. A family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) costs £24.00 and concessions (full time students and over 60’s) £8.50.

Friends of Berkeley Castle enjoy year-round entrance to the Castle and Butterfly House free of charge and a number of other membership benefits.

Annual membership is just £20 for adults.

The Castle's popular tropical Butterfly House and award-winning Yurt tearoom, both situated near the main entrance, can be enjoyed as part of Castle entrance or separately.

Berkeley Castle can be found at Berkeley, Gloucestershire, GL13 9BQ Tel: 01453 810303.

The Berkeley Castle website www.berkeley-castle.com is kept up to date with information about forthcoming events and activities or please follow the Castle on Twitter or sign up for the e-newsletter for regular news and offers.

Additional Notes to Editors: Berkeley Castle is one of the most remarkable buildings in the country and has been lived in by the same family for over 850 years, longer than any other fortress in England.

The Castle's Keep was finished in the late 12th Century by the first of the Berkeleys, Robert Fitzharding, a wealthy provost of Bristol who was awarded the Castle by Henry II, the then Duke of Anjou.

Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is believed to have been written for a Berkeley family wedding and the murder of King Edward II notoriously took place here in 1327.