Berkeley!

Welcome to Berkeley Castle, home of the Berkeley family, known for their Square in London and for having lived in their present home (shown above) for nearly nine hundred years. Photos of the inside are not allowed, and all furniture, paintings, and decorations are not behind glass, as the current Earl of Berkeley refuses to live in a museum (and I wouldn't blame him!). There are, however, some photos of the inside, and fascinating historical stories listed on the website which you must visit if you cannot see the castle in person:

http://www.berkeley-castle.com/index.php

A couple facts:

Elisabeth I was known to have visited Berkeley (pronounced "Barkley") on numerous occasions, in order to hunt and bowl.

The castle boasts a bed in which Sir Francis Drake was said to have slept.

King Edward II was imprisoned and supposedly murdered in the castle's tower (his body was then buried with all due respect by those responsible for his murder - in the Gloucester Cathedral).

William Shakespeare wrote his famous play, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," for the wedding of a family member. How would you like a wedding present from Shakespeare?


Oh! And I think I finally identified the smell of English air. It's the smell of damp ground, and cows in a nearby field, rain in the air, and hot tea with milk sitting on the kitchen table. It all gives it a sort of moist and musty smell, and I like it :)