Jo’s Guidebook
Sightseeing
The Castle is the heart of the village. As well as taking a tour of the castle many events are held throughout the year from Shakespeare on the lawn to medieval jousts. Most visitors to Berkeley come to visit the castle. The Walled Garden Cafe is beautiful. They offer morning cake and sandwiches, Afternoon Tea, and evening street-food on certain days. Go online and book in advance.
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Berkeley Castle
The Castle is the heart of the village. As well as taking a tour of the castle many events are held throughout the year from Shakespeare on the lawn to medieval jousts. Most visitors to Berkeley come to visit the castle. The Walled Garden Cafe is beautiful. They offer morning cake and sandwiches, Afternoon Tea, and evening street-food on certain days. Go online and book in advance.
The stile to enter the park by the gamekeeper's lodge is less than a mile away. It has a free public footpath through it and a space to park on the verge by the stile if you wish to just walk on the footpath. I love going early in the morning when the deer are waking up.
Berkeley Deer Park
The stile to enter the park by the gamekeeper's lodge is less than a mile away. It has a free public footpath through it and a space to park on the verge by the stile if you wish to just walk on the footpath. I love going early in the morning when the deer are waking up.
I am lucky to have a museum with such historic importance around the corner. Every school child locally is taken here on a school trip, although I think there are images of Smallpox cases on display which may be alarming for smaller children. In the garden of the house the thatched hut in which the first vaccination took place still stands.
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Dr Jenner's House, Museum and Garden
Church LaneI am lucky to have a museum with such historic importance around the corner. Every school child locally is taken here on a school trip, although I think there are images of Smallpox cases on display which may be alarming for smaller children. In the garden of the house the thatched hut in which the first vaccination took place still stands.
This is a beautiful day-out for all age groups, my children loved it when they were tiny and still do now that they are in their twenties.
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WWT Slimbridge
BowditchThis is a beautiful day-out for all age groups, my children loved it when they were tiny and still do now that they are in their twenties.
Children love Cattle Country there is loads of indoor and outdoor play equipment for all ages as well as boats to row, farm animals (donkeys, sheep, rabbits, pigs...) and a splash pool for the kids to cool off in on hot days so you need to pack swimmers. There is a lovely cafe there but you can take your own picnic and picnic areas are available.
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Cattle Country Farm Park
Children love Cattle Country there is loads of indoor and outdoor play equipment for all ages as well as boats to row, farm animals (donkeys, sheep, rabbits, pigs...) and a splash pool for the kids to cool off in on hot days so you need to pack swimmers. There is a lovely cafe there but you can take your own picnic and picnic areas are available.
This is a glorious day out all year round as the trees change colour with the seasons. I would recommend booking a table at The Hare and Hounds Hotel or in Jack Hares pub nearby for food, although the cafe in the arboretum is excellent.
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Westonbirt, Der Nationale Arboretum
This is a glorious day out all year round as the trees change colour with the seasons. I would recommend booking a table at The Hare and Hounds Hotel or in Jack Hares pub nearby for food, although the cafe in the arboretum is excellent.
Even now my children are grown-up they still enjoy Bristol Zoo.
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Bristol Zoo Gardens
College RoadEven now my children are grown-up they still enjoy Bristol Zoo.
The aquarium is in the centre of Bristol and it has a fantastic selection of fish. It is perfect trip on a rainy day but will not fill the whole day so plan to have another place to go to also. There is also a good gift shop and cafe there.
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Bristol Aquarium
Anchor RoadThe aquarium is in the centre of Bristol and it has a fantastic selection of fish. It is perfect trip on a rainy day but will not fill the whole day so plan to have another place to go to also. There is also a good gift shop and cafe there.
This is a great science and creativity based day out. They also have a planetarium that has bookable shows and events.
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We The Curious
One Anchor RdThis is a great science and creativity based day out. They also have a planetarium that has bookable shows and events.
This is our closest beach. There are still donkey rides and horse drawn train rides on the beach in the summer. The pier has arcades, fish and chips, and ice cream. The beach is sandy If you want to go in the sea you can check tide times online or there is a sea water swimming pool which is free. It is worth the 50 minute drive.
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Weston-super-Mare
This is our closest beach. There are still donkey rides and horse drawn train rides on the beach in the summer. The pier has arcades, fish and chips, and ice cream. The beach is sandy If you want to go in the sea you can check tide times online or there is a sea water swimming pool which is free. It is worth the 50 minute drive.
This is a great place to walk along the beach and take a picnic. There are fantastic views up on the clifftop walk and you can visit a WW2 fort. It is an hours drive away but I love it there.
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Brean Down Fort
This is a great place to walk along the beach and take a picnic. There are fantastic views up on the clifftop walk and you can visit a WW2 fort. It is an hours drive away but I love it there.
Bath is a beautiful city to visit and the Roman Baths are a popular sight to see.
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Roman Bath House
Abbey ChurchyardBath is a beautiful city to visit and the Roman Baths are a popular sight to see.
Book your ticket in advance to avoid disappointment as the steam train rides can get booked up.
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Avon Valley Railway (AVR)
Bath RoadBook your ticket in advance to avoid disappointment as the steam train rides can get booked up.
This is a stunning place to walk and visit the caves and quaint village.
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Cheddar-Schlucht
This is a stunning place to walk and visit the caves and quaint village.
Cheltenham is a lovely day out only 30 minutes away. The shopping, restaurants, theatres, and racecourse are all great.
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Cheltenham
Cheltenham is a lovely day out only 30 minutes away. The shopping, restaurants, theatres, and racecourse are all great.
Cirencester is a Roman town which is popular to visit to see the old Roman walls and amphitheatre. It has nice local shops and good restaurants.
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Cirencester
Cirencester is a Roman town which is popular to visit to see the old Roman walls and amphitheatre. It has nice local shops and good restaurants.
If you enjoy browsing antique shops Tetbury is a must. The shops are filled with many old beautiful items and when you get hungry there are some great places to eat.
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Tetbury
If you enjoy browsing antique shops Tetbury is a must. The shops are filled with many old beautiful items and when you get hungry there are some great places to eat.
I am a Jane Austen fan so have been here twice. It is small so wont take up much of your day so you will have plenty of time over to enjoy the rest of Bath.
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Das Jane Austen Zentrum
40 Gay StI am a Jane Austen fan so have been here twice. It is small so wont take up much of your day so you will have plenty of time over to enjoy the rest of Bath.
You could easily spend a whole day in the park, the gardens are beautiful and there are lots of exotic animals to see including Giraffe, Rhino, and Lions to name a few. The farm section is also good. At the moment the children's train ride is closed as in the animal feeding. There are cafes and ice cream parlours on site if you don't want to pack a lunch.
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Cotswold Wildlife Park und Gärten
You could easily spend a whole day in the park, the gardens are beautiful and there are lots of exotic animals to see including Giraffe, Rhino, and Lions to name a few. The farm section is also good. At the moment the children's train ride is closed as in the animal feeding. There are cafes and ice cream parlours on site if you don't want to pack a lunch.
I don't surf so I can only confirm the coffee shop and cafe is excellent. I did enjoy watching the surfing lessons, it looked great fun. You will need to book in advance to get in.
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The Wave
I don't surf so I can only confirm the coffee shop and cafe is excellent. I did enjoy watching the surfing lessons, it looked great fun. You will need to book in advance to get in.
A Grade I listed country house of Tudor origin which has lovely gardens and views over the Severn Valley.
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National Trust - Newark Park
A Grade I listed country house of Tudor origin which has lovely gardens and views over the Severn Valley.
The woodchester estate provides stunning scenery with a variety of beautiful walks of different lengths around the mansion. The area is surrounded by woodland and contains three large lakes with incredible views.
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Woodchester Mansion
The woodchester estate provides stunning scenery with a variety of beautiful walks of different lengths around the mansion. The area is surrounded by woodland and contains three large lakes with incredible views.
"Selsley Common has superb views over the River Severn and Malvern Hills into Wales. Its internationally significant grassland is home to a breathtaking array of wildflowers, birds and invertebrates and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It also features a Bronze Age burial mound, 'the Toots', but it is perhaps the views that make this an ideal venue for a stroll on the Cotswold Way."
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Selsley Common
"Selsley Common has superb views over the River Severn and Malvern Hills into Wales. Its internationally significant grassland is home to a breathtaking array of wildflowers, birds and invertebrates and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It also features a Bronze Age burial mound, 'the Toots', but it is perhaps the views that make this an ideal venue for a stroll on the Cotswold Way."
Dyrham Park
Ancient deer park, 17th-century house and garden.
"Beautifully preserved Chepstow Castle stretches out along a limestone cliff above the River Wye like a history lesson in stone."
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Chepstow Castle
"Beautifully preserved Chepstow Castle stretches out along a limestone cliff above the River Wye like a history lesson in stone."
An absolutely stunning area packed with beautiful walks in the scenic forest. Containing various places to grab lunch, the Forest of Dean is a particular favourite for those looking for a day out adventure.
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Forest of Dean
High StreetAn absolutely stunning area packed with beautiful walks in the scenic forest. Containing various places to grab lunch, the Forest of Dean is a particular favourite for those looking for a day out adventure.
One of the most beautiful Cotswold towns on the Foss Way.
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Bourton on the Water
One of the most beautiful Cotswold towns on the Foss Way.
The link below is for the Portishead to Clevedon coastal walk it is 6.5 miles but that is only one way.
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/england/somerset/clevedon-to-portishead?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map
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Clevedon Marine Lake
170 Old Church RdThe link below is for the Portishead to Clevedon coastal walk it is 6.5 miles but that is only one way.
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/england/somerset/clevedon-to-portishead?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map
The bay is small and pebbly but I love it. But I visited most summers as a child and climbed the rocks and investigated the rock pools with my brother. Now I go there as my friend is an open water swimmer and swims from the bay to Clevedon. You must do this when the tide is going the right way so don't try it unless you know about the tides, which I do not.
Ladye Bay
The bay is small and pebbly but I love it. But I visited most summers as a child and climbed the rocks and investigated the rock pools with my brother. Now I go there as my friend is an open water swimmer and swims from the bay to Clevedon. You must do this when the tide is going the right way so don't try it unless you know about the tides, which I do not.
Food scene
This pub is a 10 minute walk away in Ham, it serves award winning ciders and beers. It is a step back in time where you can have a strong cloudy cider, a bag of pork scratchings and a ham roll. The food is limited and the beer strong so take care on the walk back.
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The Salutation Inn
This pub is a 10 minute walk away in Ham, it serves award winning ciders and beers. It is a step back in time where you can have a strong cloudy cider, a bag of pork scratchings and a ham roll. The food is limited and the beer strong so take care on the walk back.
The Salmon is a very friendly pub, with plenty of friendly locals who tend to be very chatty. The garden is nice to eat in and the outdoor play equipment for children is good. About a mile away but a very pleasant walk back after food and a drink.
Salmon Inn
The Salmon is a very friendly pub, with plenty of friendly locals who tend to be very chatty. The garden is nice to eat in and the outdoor play equipment for children is good. About a mile away but a very pleasant walk back after food and a drink.
A 20 minute drive away, but the food they serve here is fantastic.
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White Hart
A 20 minute drive away, but the food they serve here is fantastic.
This pub is fab to visit for a drink and a bite to eat after a refreshing walk along the Severn Way.
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The Anchor Inn
2 Saint Mary StreetThis pub is fab to visit for a drink and a bite to eat after a refreshing walk along the Severn Way.
Frampton-on-Severn is a beautiful village with the cricket green in the heart of it. It is also close to the canal for lovely walks. The Bell is one of several good places here to grab refreshments. There is excellent outdoor play equipment for children climbing frame, slide, and swings. There are donkeys and goats there are the children to enjoy too.
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The Bell Inn
Frampton-on-Severn is a beautiful village with the cricket green in the heart of it. It is also close to the canal for lovely walks. The Bell is one of several good places here to grab refreshments. There is excellent outdoor play equipment for children climbing frame, slide, and swings. There are donkeys and goats there are the children to enjoy too.
This is a 20 minute drive away but a spa afternoon here is exquisite as is their Michelin Star restaurant.
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Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa
This is a 20 minute drive away but a spa afternoon here is exquisite as is their Michelin Star restaurant.
The Bear of Rodborough is located on Rodborough Common within the acres of beautiful National Trust land.
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The Bear of Rodborough
The Bear of Rodborough is located on Rodborough Common within the acres of beautiful National Trust land.
Amazing woodfired pizza available only a five minutes drive away, located on the main road outside of Berkeley. Order ahead of collection.
The Ionian Wood Fired Kitchen ＆ Farmshop
Amazing woodfired pizza available only a five minutes drive away, located on the main road outside of Berkeley. Order ahead of collection.
Walks
The stile to enter the park by the gamekeeper's lodge is less than a mile away. It has a free public footpath through it and a space to park on the verge by the stile if you wish to just walk on the footpath. I love going early in the morning when the deer are waking up.
Berkeley Deer Park
The stile to enter the park by the gamekeeper's lodge is less than a mile away. It has a free public footpath through it and a space to park on the verge by the stile if you wish to just walk on the footpath. I love going early in the morning when the deer are waking up.
The Cotswold way passes through Dursley which is a 10 minute drive away. The walking is not flat and the paths maintenance is variable. I would recommend walking shoes and long trousers in the summer when the nettles are growing fast.
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Cotswold Way
B4070The Cotswold way passes through Dursley which is a 10 minute drive away. The walking is not flat and the paths maintenance is variable. I would recommend walking shoes and long trousers in the summer when the nettles are growing fast.
The river Severn is 2 miles from the property. There are many places to park close to the river access the Severn Way walk if you don't want to want to walk there.
Severn Way
Severn WayThe river Severn is 2 miles from the property. There are many places to park close to the river access the Severn Way walk if you don't want to want to walk there.
The woodchester estate provides stunning scenery with a variety of beautiful walks of different lengths around the mansion. The area is surrounded by woodland and contains three large lakes with incredible views.
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Woodchester Mansion
The woodchester estate provides stunning scenery with a variety of beautiful walks of different lengths around the mansion. The area is surrounded by woodland and contains three large lakes with incredible views.
Rolling hills and open spaces above the Stroud Valleys and Severn estuary.
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Minchinhampton Common
Rolling hills and open spaces above the Stroud Valleys and Severn estuary.
The link below is for the Portishead to Clevedon coastal walk it is 6.5 miles but that is only one way.
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/england/somerset/clevedon-to-portishead?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map
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Portishead Quay Marina
Newfoundland WayThe link below is for the Portishead to Clevedon coastal walk it is 6.5 miles but that is only one way.
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/england/somerset/clevedon-to-portishead?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map
Food in Berkeley
This is the closest pub to the property, serving food and drinks. There is a large beer garden at the back for sunny days.
Berkeley Arms Hotel
Canonbury StreetThis is the closest pub to the property, serving food and drinks. There is a large beer garden at the back for sunny days.
The Malt House
22 Marybrook StVery close to the property, a welcoming pub which serves food too.
Our local fish and chip shop serves great fish and chips and is only a 2 minute walk away
Berkeley fish bar
5 Canonbury StOur local fish and chip shop serves great fish and chips and is only a 2 minute walk away
Only take away food is available. My favourite is roast duck noodles. It is only 2 minutes walk away.
New Hoo Wah
15 Canonbury StOnly take away food is available. My favourite is roast duck noodles. It is only 2 minutes walk away.
This coffee shop is a favourite for locals and for cyclist it is always busy. Their coffee cake is my favourite. It is only 1 minute walk away.
Perfect Blend
1 High StThis coffee shop is a favourite for locals and for cyclist it is always busy. Their coffee cake is my favourite. It is only 1 minute walk away.
The Walled Garden Cafe is in the grounds of Berkeley castle. The opening hours are limited so look at the website before going. It is a beautiful setting.
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Berkeley Castle
The Walled Garden Cafe is in the grounds of Berkeley castle. The opening hours are limited so look at the website before going. It is a beautiful setting.
Buying food to cook
The food here is amazing but not cheep. If you're going to buy a joint to cook or fancy foods, here is the place. 10 minutes drive away.
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Tortworth Estate Shop
Box WalkThe food here is amazing but not cheep. If you're going to buy a joint to cook or fancy foods, here is the place. 10 minutes drive away.
The deli here has outstanding cheeses, the truffle cheese is superb. There is also a cafe here and an area to walk.
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Leaf and Ground
Dursley RoadThe deli here has outstanding cheeses, the truffle cheese is superb. There is also a cafe here and an area to walk.
The meat here is amazing one of the few butchers that I can buy rind-on bacon. It is a room at the back of the farm house so opening hours are short; I would recommend a phoning order ahead and arranging a pick up. It is 10 minutes drive away but worth it. The meat is not cheep but worth it.
Clayton House Meats
Slimbridge LaneThe meat here is amazing one of the few butchers that I can buy rind-on bacon. It is a room at the back of the farm house so opening hours are short; I would recommend a phoning order ahead and arranging a pick up. It is 10 minutes drive away but worth it. The meat is not cheep but worth it.
One Stop Stores
3 The HollowThe one stop has all the basics and a small post office and is only 2 minutes away.
The store has all the basics but I recommend popping in around 7.30am to buy your morning bread fresh out of the oven. If you prefer croissants they come out of the overs around 8am. Only 1 minute walk away.
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The Co-operative Food
5 Salter StThe store has all the basics but I recommend popping in around 7.30am to buy your morning bread fresh out of the oven. If you prefer croissants they come out of the overs around 8am. Only 1 minute walk away.
Medical needs
Marybrook Medical Centre
Marybrook StreetThe local doctor's surgery is only a two minute walk away.
Berkeley Pharmacy
14 Market PlThe pharmacy is a one minute walk away should you need any medicines or make-up.