Historic Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire has planned a wealth of activities to keep children and adults alike entertained during the long July and August summer holidays, with events including arts and crafts on Sundays, storytelling on Mondays, a jester on Tuesdays and archery on Wednesdays. 

The picturesque medieval castle, which has been lived in by the same family for almost 900 years, will include all its summer holiday special entertainment, activities and guided tours in the Castle entrance fees.

Each Sunday to 25 August, Bev Cann, a Berkeley Castle guide, will be running short arts and crafts workshops throughout the day from 11 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. to give children and their accompanying adults some creative time out.  Run in small groups of 6 at a time, the workshops are ideal for children aged 3-12 years and will range from sticker and colouring fun to make and do Castle-themed activities including making paper stained glass windows, lances and twizzle sticks, shields, bookmarks, magnets, birds and butterflies, using recycled materials wherever possible.

Every Monday until 26 August renowned story-teller Cassandra Wye will be entertaining everyone from babies to grandparents, with exciting tales of adventure that the whole audience can join in.  Providing the perfect opportunity for visitors to take half an hour out of an exciting day to relax, curl up on the comfortable cushions provided and be enthralled, Cassandra will be entertaining in the Great Hall whether rain or shine, at 12.00 noon, 2.00 pm and 3.00 pm daily. 

On Tuesdays to 27 August, The Fool Monty Jester, who has built up a popular following in previous years, will be ensuring everyone aged 2 to 92 has a smile on their faces, as he teaches circus skills and juggling and entertains with stilt walking and even the occasional magic show.

Located in and around the Castle 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. each Tuesday, The Fool Monty Jester is proud to be following in the footsteps of Jester Dickie Pearce who entertained at the Castle in Georgian times.  However he hastens to add that he doesn’t intend to follow in Dickie’s last footsteps, which saw him fall to his death from the Minstrels’ Gallery in the Castle’s Great Hall.

Every Wednesday to 28 August, Berkeley Castle visitors will be able to try their hand at archery, with Stephan the archer.   The activity which runs from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. will give children and adults the opportunity to learn more and try their hand at a sport that dates back centuries.

In addition, the Castle is offering a free butterfly trail for younger children to follow around the gardens and Numbers quiz to help keep older children entertained and challenged

David Bowd-Exworth, House Manager says:  “There is never a dull moment at Berkeley Castle – and certainly not with all the activities we have planned this year!  All our summer holiday activities are offered as part of the Castle visit so even when the Castle’s apartments and medieval dungeon have been viewed, the courtyard, terraced gardens and shady woodland explored, the butterfly house marvelled at and the refreshments in our Yurt restaurant enjoyed, parents don’t have to fear hearing “I’m bored!”.

Berkeley Castle is open every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until 30 September and every Sunday in October, from 11 am to 5 pm.   Entrance fees are adult £9.50, junior (4-16) £5.00, 3 and under free, family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £24.00 and concession (full time students and over 60’s) £7.50.
More information can be found on the website: www.berkeley-castle.com or by calling 01453 810 303.