Berkeley Castle is the place to be for family fun this May half term, with Tudor temptations every day from Sunday 29 until Wednesday 1 June.

Visitors to Berkeley Castle will experience the sights and sounds of a popular 17th century sport on Sunday 29 May, when the historic family home provides the perfect vantage point from which to watch deerhound racing on the fields next to the Castle. Starting at noon, see the spectacle of dozens of deerhounds, accompanied by their owners dressed as lords, ladies, monks and other period characters from the 17th century, each hound wearing a red or white collar. Unlike in the 17th and 18th centuries, no deer are harmed in the re-staging of the spectacular event. Instead each race will see a deerhound duo chasing a motorised fur-covered lure, with the first dog to reach the post pronounced the winner. Make sure you arrive early to see the deerhound procession around the Castle with a real Scottish piper.

The Tudor festival over the May half term week also includes Medieval Falconry Displays on the Lower Lawns of the Castle; a chance to meet King Henry VIII, Queen Anne Boleyn and members of their Royal Court and enjoy an audience with the King and Queen and find out what life was like in Tudor times; and see the incredible display of Tudor documents on loan from our Muniment Room, which are rarely available for public viewing.

Berkeley Castle is open from Sunday to Wednesday until 31 October from 11am – 5pm (last admission 4pm). All activities are included in entry fees to the castle. Visit berkeley-castle.com for more details.