The present structure of Sudeley Castle was built in the 15th century and may have been on the site of a 12th-century castle. The castle has a notable garden (pictured left), which is designed and maintained to a very high standard. The chapel, St. Mary's Sudeley, is the burial place of Queen Catherine Parr (1512–1548), the sixth wife of King Henry VIII, and contains her marble tomb. Sudeley is also one of the few castles left in England that is still a residence.

 

As a result, the castle is only open to visitors on specific dates, and private family quarters are closed to the public. It is a Grade I listed building.

 

 

The castle is reputedly very haunted, and quite fittingly the ghosts include Catherine Parr. Her phantom is said to walk the corridors. Another female apparition, this one wearing a green dress, has been sighted in the nursery. Her imminent appearance is said to be announced by the smell of "apple-scented perfume". The sounds of a child crying pitifully have also been reported.

 

The wraith of a 19th century housekeeper named Janet, has also been reported. She has been sighted on the stairs, waiving a feather duster!

 

Pictured above is the Queen's Gardens at Sudeley Castle courtesy of Mouchoir le Souris.

Very little now remains of Winchcombe Abbey (pictured left courtesy of Bill Boaden), apart from the sounds of music and chanting of monks that are said to originate from the scant ruins at midnight.

On the road, somewhere between the railways station and the cemetery, you will come across a small hallow. This is the haunt of a tall, dark figure. Some suggest that this is a monk. The apparition floats two feet above the ground.

The apparition of a monk is also seen at Pyke Bank.

A cyclist was once reported to have found that their bicycle had become ‘bewitched’ at this spot, and instead of riding it, they had to drag the bike all the way home.