Explore Sudeley's Treasures & Exhibits
Few castles have seen as much war, romance and royalty as Sudeley Castle. Discover treasures from the castle's long and eventful history in the exhibition rooms.
Sudeley's exhibition rooms highlight key moments of the Castle’s history from Richard III, to the Tudors, its civil war slighting on to orders of Cromwell to its Victorian revival . Through a remarkable collection of priceless objects and curiosities, the history of Sudeley Castle and its owners can be discovered in the 15th Century west wing.
There is a wealth of information to absorb as you make your way around the exhibition spaces, castle rooms and our new outdoor exhibition within the gardens.
New for 2025: Ruins to Revival
Ruins to Revival is a new and captivating outdoor exhibition that invites visitors on journey through the castle’s dramatic history. Through a series of rediscovered watercolours and illustrations, the exhibition traces Sudeley’s changing fortunes, beginning with its deliberate 1646 slighting under Cromwell’s orders in the English Civil War, its years of picturesque abandonment, and its astonishing Victorian restoration.
Exhibition Rooms
Tudor Costumes
Enjoy Sudeley's Tudor costumes of Henry VIII and is six wives including Sudeley's own, Queen Katherine Parr.
Katherine Parr
Sudeley's most celebrated resident! Discover the books of this Tudor Queen and her love letter to Sir Thomas Seymour. Objects of historic significance include a lock of Katherine Parr’s hair, her prayer book and an intricate lace christening canopy believed to have been worked on by Anne Boleyn for the christening of her daughter, Elizabeth I.
Additional Tudor treasures include the ‘Bohun Book of Hours’ bound together for Henry VIII. The book pre-dates the Black Death and is thought to be one of just six of its kind in the world.
The English Civil War
Treasures such as these ox hide ale jugs in our exhibition rooms. These huge ale jugs were used by the encamped Royalist and Roundhead armies during the English Civil War.
Cromwell’s arms are in silver on the Roundhead jugs – Charles I had to use his silver to pay his troops!
Textiles, Gloves & Autographs
Visitors can also discover one of the finest collections of textiles in the country, a beautiful collection of gloves on loan from the Dent glove museum, and a vast collection of rare autographs including those of Abraham Lincoln, Charles Dickens, Alfred Lord Tennyson and Charles Darwin.
Women of Sudeley
Discover the pivotal role of woman at Sudeley, including Emma Brocklehurst who added to Sudeley's treasures, restored the gardens and forged strong links with Winchcombe - and provided the town’s first piped water supply in 1887!
50 Year Anniversary
On the ground floor enjoy an exhibition marking the 50-year milestone of Sudeley’s longest serving Chatelaine, Lady Ashcombe. Step back in time to explore key moments and memories at Sudeley from the 1960s, 70s, 80s up to the present day.
Castle Room Treasures
After the Exhibition Rooms visit the Castle Rooms on the east wing of the castle, to discover a must-see collection of art, tapestries and historic treasures.
You will find the entrance after the Queen's Garden.
An Allegory of The Tudor Succession
'An Allegory of The Tudor Succession' was commissioned by Elizabeth I in 1572 as a gift for Francis Walsingham, her spy master.
This picture celebrates the harmony established by Queen Elizabeth I. Elizabeth is on the right, holding the hand of Peace and followed by Plenty. Her father Henry VIII, the founder of the Church of England, sits on his throne, and passes the sword of justice to his Protestant son Edward VI.
The Vertues
Discover thirty three extraordinary portraits of members of the Tudor Court in the corridor leading to the library.
The tracings were made by George Vertue (English printmaker 1684-1756) of Holbein’s portraits of the Tudor Court – the originals are in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle.
The Sheldon Tapestry
A rare 16th Century tapestry is not to missed!. The colourful work depicts the Expulsion from Paradise and is full of fruits, flowers and animals. It was and made at the first English tapestry factory set up by the Sheldon family in Barcheston, Warwickshire. It is would have take three weavers an estimated five or six years to complete.
Enjoy a fascinating day out at Sudeley
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There is always something going on at Sudeley…