2. Berkeley Castle

Berkeley Castle is a must see - it is rated as one of the top 20 most important buildings in the UK and has the same family living in it who built it back in 1117. The Berkeley Family have lived at Berkeley for nearly 900 years and have strong links with America. Berkeley, California is taken directly from their name and the first Royal Governor of Virginia was a Berkeley too. Edward II's death is not the only thing to see, the damage casued by Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War is still there and cannot be rebuilt due to an Act of Parliament. The Great Hallis 14th Century and saw the West Country Barons meet there before signing Magna Carta. Now you can have your wedding reception there and eat where Kings & Queens have! A good program of events is on their website www.berkeley-castle.com and teh Berkeley's have a sister estate at Spetchley, near Worcester, where Elgar stayed and composed and American airmen in WW2 were based.