Beverston Castle, Gloucestershire

A Brief Introduction to Beverston Castle

Image © The Tudor Travel Guide.

Beverston (or Beverstone) Castle is an enchanting (and largely forgotten) medieval stronghold built in the early thirteenth century by a minor branch of the Berkeley family, whose main seat, Berkeley Castle, lies fourteen to the northwest. The castle is nestled amidst the picturesque Cotswold countryside on the outskirts of Beverstone village, close to Tetbury, a fashionable, well-heeled Cotswold town (Highgrove House, the long-term country residence of King Charles III, is only three miles away).

In 1225, Maurice de Gaunt built a fortified manor house at Beverston, and on 29 July 1229, King Henry III signed a document allowing the castle to stand and remain forever. I have been particularly interested in the castle of late, as it was one of the stops on Henry VII and Elizabeth of York’s 1502 progress. I’ll be doing a full write-up, including more details about the castle itself, very shortly.

By the mid-sixteenth century, 1555 to be exact, Beverston Castle was still owned by the Berkeleys. Sir John Berkeley and his wife, Frances Poyntz, were the owners at the time. Still, by the end of the sixteenth century, the Berkeleys had relinquished ownership. The castle was bought by Sir Michael Hicks, and the estate remained in the Hicks family through to at least the early nineteenth century.

Much of Beverston Castle was destroyed in the English Civil War, but the western and southern ranges, the gatehouse and one of its original D-shaped towers have survived. Today, the property consists of a manor house, various small buildings, extensive gardens, and medieval ruins.

The exterior of the castle and the Berkeley Tower. Images © The Tudor Travel Guide.

Stay at Beverston Castle

Within the estate, there are three, holiday accommodation options: ‘No 24’, a traditional Cotswold stone cottage crowned with a classic stone-tiled roof; ‘The Bothy’, a former potting shed transformed into an elegant studio retreat; and ‘The Rooks’ Apartment, once the estate office, now a cosy nest for two.

I recently stayed in ‘The Bothy’, directly adjacent to one of Beverston’s medieval towers. It is quite something to wake up in the morning, step outside your front door, and find the castle looming over you! I also had the chance to meet the current guardians of the castle, a lovely elderly lady and her daughter. They watch over the building on behalf of the current (largely absent) owner and are responsible for tending the beautiful garden. This consists of a lawn, flower beds, a dry moat and a pretty stone bridge, which, as a guest, you can roam at your leisure.

I was lucky enough to plan ahead and arrange to meet with the lady who cared for the castle for a chat. She has been at Beverston for around 50 years and gave me a wonderful impromptu tour of the buildings, including the rather neglected but hauntingly captivating Berkeley Tower. If you make a special request with the booking agent, you might be lucky enough to arrange your own tour—but no promises!

Each holiday let has stylish interiors with contemporary comforts. As mentioned above, Tetbury, just two miles away, has all the amenities you might need. With antique shops, artisanal boutiques, and plenty of places for refreshments, the town has all you need for a relaxing weekend away.

Bedroom in ‘The Bothy’. Image © The Tudor Travel Guide.

Historic Properties Nearby

• Cotswold Wool Churches (from 11 miles)
• Berkeley Castle (13 miles)
• Thornbury Castle (18 miles)
• Acton Court (18 miles)
• Tewkesbury and Gloucester Abbeys (24 miles)
• Sudeley Castle (33 miles)

Check out this blog to follow in the footsteps of Anne Boleyn on the 1535 progress.

Visitor Information

For more details on the accommodation, check out Beverston Castle on Boutique Homes’ website.

Address: Beverston Castle, Beverston, Tetbury, GL8 8TU.