About

Groups are invited to Sudeley Castle & Gardens in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, to discover more about its fascinating 1,000-year history with expert guided tours on offer and discounts and benefits for groups of 15 or more.  
 
Sudeley Castle welcomes large and small groups, special interest groups and visitors from the UK and internationally. They are able to offer tours in French, German and Italian. 

The American Connection 

On 4 July 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence establishing the United States of America, Sudeley Castle & Gardens celebrated its strong US connections with the launch of a self-guided QR-enabled exhibition; The American Connection.  

Visitors will be able to scan a series of QR codes within the exhibitions area and Sudeley’s Library, accessing commentary content about items from Sudeley’s collection that have a link with America to act as a digital companion to physical displays. 

Further information about Sudeley Castle & Gardens  

Sudeley Castle & Gardens adjoins the picturesque market town of Winchcombe in Gloucestershire and is set within 1,200 acres of glorious Cotswold countryside. Open for the 2026 season from 14th March – 1st November 2026 (see website for exceptional closures), Sudeley Castle & Gardens is one of Gloucestershire’s leading visitor attractions, welcoming thousands of visitors through its gates each year.  

Sudeley Castle is the only private castle in England to have a queen buried within its grounds – Queen Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII’s six wives. Today visitors can explore the beautiful 15th-century church where she lies entombed and discover more about her fascinating life and legacy. 

Sudeley Castle has 10 award-winning gardens, the centrepiece being the Queens’ Garden, named for the four queens, Anne Boleyn, Katherine Parr, Lady Jane Grey and Elizabeth I, who walked there, in addition to a large outdoor adventure playground for children.  

With royal connections spanning a thousand years, Sudeley Castle has played an important role in the turbulent and changing fortunes of England’s past. Sudeley’s Castle Rooms and exhibitions area contain many fascinating treasures dating from ancient Roman times to the present day, including The Allegory of the Tudor Succession painting commissioned by Elizabeth I. Friendly expert guides are on hand to provide insightful and informative tours.  

Sudeley Castle has been home to Elizabeth, Lady Ashcombe, and her family since 1972.

Key selling points for groups

• Discounted admission rates
• Free visit for group leader and driver
• Free parking
• Café voucher for coach driver
• Special group menus
• Special group talks & tours
• Pavillion café and Shepherd’s Hut café
• Options for private catering in the Orangery and Castle Coach House

Useful information for travel trade

Group booking procedures 

• Sudeley Castle & Gardens has a selection of experiences and options to suit the interests of your group. A dedicated member of the Sudeley team will assist with your planning and will guide you every step of the way to ensure that your group visit is memorable. 

Group sizes and event capacity 

• Groups bookings are for 15 or more.

Coach access and parking 

• Sudeley Castle has a coach parking area and disabled parking.

Enhanced and exclusive experiences

Private guided tours and behind‑the‑scenes tours as standard, but are additionally able to offer, subject to availability: 

Core Experiences

Early Access Garden Tour 

Combined Experiences

Early Access Gardens & Behind‑the‑Scenes Experience 

Hosted Signature Experiences

• Twilight Hosted Experience: Castle & Queens’ Garden
• Hosted Behind‑the‑Scenes Experience with Lady Ashcombe
• Bespoke art tours led by an esteemed art historian, exploring highlights of the collection 
• Meet the Archivist experiences, offering privileged access to original historical documents from the castle’s extensive archives 
• Meet the Head Gardener, providing a guided walk through the historic gardens and grounds with expert insight into their evolution, seasonal highlights, heritage planting, and ongoing conservation of the estate’s living landscape
• Katherine Parr’s Tomb and the Albert Memorial, exploring a shared architectural legacy by Sir George Gilbert Scott
• Sudeley from Above, featuring rare access to a private viewing point on top of the castle
• Historical deep‑dives, exploring key periods such as the Tudor era or the English Civil War
• After‑hours gin tastings in the Queen’s Garden during July and August, featuring Sudeley Castle Gin 
• Preferential rates on selected VIP experiences for guests staying in holiday cottages or rental properties on the estate, subject to availability 
• Private hosted dinners in the Castle Coach House, creating an intimate and elegant dining setting 
• Live piano music in the Castle Library, either as a short private recital or as ambient accompaniment to a hosted experience, delivered by high‑calibre musicians from the local area 

Product development and partnerships

Joint itinerary designed for groups of 4-10 with Gloucester Cathedral: 

A Bespoke Heritage Experience: Sudeley Castle & Gardens and Gloucester Cathedral 

Sudeley Castle & Gardens and Gloucester Cathedral are two of the most iconic and important historical sites in Gloucestershire, boasting over 2,000 years of history between them. From links with the rise and fall of royalty to the preservation of heritage skills, acting as film sets to housing renowned collections, Sudeley Castle & Gardens and Gloucester Cathedral share many interwoven stories waiting to be discovered.