Sudeley Castle and Gardens, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire

This castle has a 1000 years of royal history. It’s the only private castle in England to have a queen of England buried on it’s premises. The last wife of King Henry VIIII, Katherine Parr, was buried here.

As for the architecture of Sudeley, I learned about Castellations. These are the notches up top which we’re regularly spaced and had a defensive tactic to them. When this was built, the owner wanted these even though this was to be a home, not a fortress. Evidently he broke “code” in doing this in that time period.

Years later during their civil war, under Cromwell’s order, much of this castle was destroyed. It was neglected for over 200 years.

In 1837, it was rescued by the Dent family. The generation of this family still live here today and I was fortunate to be able to explore some of the rooms that continue to be used.

Ruins left standing

Queen Katherine Parr is buried in this tomb

Her tomb is inside this beautiful church on the grounds

Inside the home, an area used today. The fireplace was moved from upstairs to this floor. On the table is an invitation to King Charles coronation. Lady Ashcombe, owner and descendant, lives here and opened the castle to the public in the 70”S.

Fun fact: Lady Aschcombe is an American from Kentucky. She married into the Dent family. It’s amazing to see how she took charge of the home and preserved it while raising her two children here as an American.

I had to take this picture…the Queen’s privy.