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The location of the Cotswolds is a fantastic one for many reasons. It is probably best known for its rolling countryside, which offers different views around every corner.

But the Cotswolds is about far more than just the countryside. When you visit on a UK holiday or weekend break you will find there are surprises awaiting you around every corner. And among those surprises there are some majestic castles standing firm on the landscape.

Here are just three of the ones you could visit while you are staying in weekend hotels or holiday cottages.
Berkeley Castle

Berkeley Castle is to the south west of Cheltenham, so it is really on the outskirts of the main part of the Cotswolds. However don?t let this put you off paying a visit. It is well worth the journey, no matter where in the Cotswolds you might be staying.

This castle is huge and it is over nine hundred years old, so it has seen a lot of changes and visitors over the centuries. It is a Norman fortress and if you see a picture of it from the air you will get a better idea of just how big it is.

It sits in an estate of six thousand acres, so it has impressive grounds as well. Any visit should really have a day dedicated to it, so make sure you do just that.
Broughton Castle

This castle is in Banbury, which is a short distance to the north east of Chipping Norton, another famous location in the Cotswolds.

Broughton Castle is arguably one of the most attractive castles in England. It has the benefit of a huge moat as well, which was formed from three separate streams. This was in fact why the site was originally selected for Broughton Castle way back in 1300.

You can visit many areas of the castle, including the attractive gardens, the chapel and the Great Hall. Be sure to allocate enough time to enjoy everything that Broughton Castle has to offer.
Sudeley Castle and Gardens

Sudeley Castle is located to the north east of Cheltenham, so you aren?t too far from it, no matter where your Cotswold cottage is situated. It should form part of every UK holiday to the area, as it has links which stretch back hundreds of years into history.

If you love hearing about Henry VIII and his wives, then you will certainly want to pay a visit. The last of his six wives, Catherine Parr, is actually buried here. But Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII himself also visited the castle centuries ago, so you can see there is a lot of Royal history tied up here.

These are perhaps the three most important and most stunning of the castles you can visit in this general area. The Cotswolds has definite and distinct roots way back into history ? and these castles are the ideal way of finding out how far back those roots go.

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Chris Grimes is a local historian and tour guide in the Cotswolds. As well as showing people the natural beauty of the surrounding area he is a wealth knowledge for those looking for the cheapest cosiest cottages in the Cotswolds

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