Ruins to Revival
Ruins to Revival is a captivating outdoor exhibition that invites visitors on a journey through the castle’s dramatic history. Located within its own garden area within the castle grounds the exhibition displays a series of rediscovered watercolours and illustrations, tracing Sudeley’s changing fortunes. The story begins with Sudeley's deliberate slighting under Cromwell’s orders in the English Civil War, its years of picturesque abandonment, to its astonishing Victorian restoration.
At the heart of the exhibition is a collection of large-scale watercolours painted in 1818 by renowned topographical artist, John Buckler. These rediscovered paintings offer a rare glimpse of the castle in its ruined state. Along with these evocative artworks, visitors can explore pieces of the stone castle ruins, immerse themselves in a civil war short film and view the original alabaster block from the original Tudor burial of Queen Katherine Parr.
Join us this year to learn more about Sudeley as an historic Tudor monument and fascinating family home.
Victorian Sightseers
Through a series of watercolours and illustrations, discover how Sudeley became a popular destination with Sightseers throughout the late 1700s and early 1800s.
The castle's allure can be linked with the Age of Enlightenment's interest in archaeology and history, when historic ruins became places worthy of visitation.
Discovery of Katherine Parr
Follow in the footsteps of a group of lady sightseers who noticed a large block of alabaster partially obscured behind brambles whilst investigating the ruins of St Mary's Church, in 1782.
View the carved block of alabaster in the exhibition, which led to the rediscovery of Katherine Parr and was part of her original Tudor burial in 1548.
Victorian Revival
Trace Sudeley's remarkable revival story and the family behind them who restored the castle as you see it today.
Crowning Glory
The restoration of St Mary’s Church was one of the outstanding achievements of the Dent revival of Sudeley. The crowning glory was the new tomb for Katherine Parr, designed by Scott and carved by John Birnie Philip. On completion Katherine Parr’s remains were transferred to this tomb where they found an appropriate final resting place befitting a Tudor Queen of England.
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There is always something going on at Sudeley…