Cotswolds - Berkeley Castle

The English countryside is not by any means short of castles, in fact until a week ago I didn't even know Berkeley Castle existed. Berkeley is not a huge imposing edifice battle-scarred and falling into ruin, it is a wonderfully preserved Norman fortress which has morphed over the centuries into a genteel and appealing family home.
Parts of the castle are open to the public and for special events all the year round and the family reside in the remainder. The castle is characterised by a lived-in feeling which few other castles (being mostly ruins) can boast. The walls are decorated with pictures and hangings, there is original wood-panelling and ornately carved period doors. This is not to say that it lacks some austere features, and is reported to be the place where Edward II was murdered.

The Berkeley family is deeply rooted in English heritage and has many claims to fame including links to Shakespeare and Sir Francis Drake and of course Berkeley Square in London. The castle is a jewel in the beautiful Cotswold landscape, offering history, culture, tea rooms and a lovely picnic area.

Entry prices:

Adult £7.50

Child (age 5 - 16) £4.50

Senior Citizen at 60+ £6.00

Students £5.50

Cotswolds - Bourton

The Cotswolds continue to be a very popular spot for visitors to the UK, evidenced by the number of accents and languages you can hear while walking around it's picturesque towns and villages.
The familiar stone dwellings and buildings that characterise this part of the world, hold endless charm and beg to be photographed time and time again.
Whether you are just looking for a pleasant environment to take a stroll or are more inclined to visit a museum or have a meal in the rich rustic surroundings, the Cotswolds has the perfect setting.

Every town in this special part of England has it's own appeal, but Bourton has the lion's share of more contrived attractions from 'Birdworld' to the Model Village, the Motor and Toy museum and the Butterfly Maze amongst others. Of course, to go along with the attractions, there are plenty of places to get a cream tea, place your weary head for the night and have a drink or a meal.
Limited though the parking is in the town centre, car parks can be found just outside within reasonable walking distance, one of them right next to Birdland.
In short Bourton and it's surrounding towns offer a good day out for anyone and particularly for families as there is undoubtedly plenty to do. Most attractions have an entry fee of around £3 or £4 per person, Disneyworld it is not, but a good day out in spectacularly charming surroundings is guaranteed.
If you would like to be accommodated in one of the more picturesque hotels in the town centre, be prepared to spend £100 per night per room.