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This impressive ruin represents one of the finest examples of 15th-century royal architecture in the region.
King Richard III built the banqueting hall, and walking through its remains gives you a real sense of medieval court life—tall stone walls and Gothic windows that once hosted feasts for England's most powerful figures. The castle itself sits near Winchcombe and has been continuously inhabited since the 1440s, spreading across 1,200 acres in the Cotswold hills.
The grounds are genuinely worth exploring beyond just the ruined hall. Ten formal gardens covering 15 acres have been carefully restored and maintained, offering pleasant walking routes between them. There's also a small church on the estate where Catherine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth wife, is buried—a genuinely unique piece of English royal history that you won't find anywhere else in the country.
Winchcombe is just a short distance away and has good facilities for eating and parking, making it straightforward to visit. The castle operates seasonally, so check opening times before you head over. You'll want to dedicate several hours here to properly explore both the architectural remains and the surrounding gardens. The combination of genuine historical significance and pleasant grounds makes it one of the more substantial attractions in the Cotswolds worth your time.
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