THE TOWN
 
 
 
 
BERKELEY is two miles West, off the busy Gloucester/Bristol trunk road (A38), and sits at the head of the Berkeley Vale, some of Gloucestershire's most beautiful countryside. Berkeley is rich in all sorts of history, and well
known for its people, events and science, and latterly, the most modern of technological innovations, the world's first commercial nuclear power plant.

It is not possible to accurately date the beginnings of Berkeley as a community, but it can, with some degree of certainty, be traced back to Roman times when several battles were fought nearby - and lost - by the ancient Britons guarding the river crossings to Wales.

More recent are the recorded events of the barbaric torture and slaying of  Edward II at Berkeley Castle in 1327 whose cries of agony, it is said, were heard as far away as the town's centre. On a more favourable note, however, is the courage of George Thorpe who led a party of pilgrims to the New World. To this day, as far away as Virginia, U.S.A, it is believed that this party held the first American Thanksgiving Day at the Berkeley Plantation there in December 1619. About a year before the Pilgrim Fathers made their journey aboard the Mayflower.

 
While it is said that William Shakespeare lived for a short time in the area, the most famous personage is almost certainly Edward Jenner, the founder and father of immunology. His most important contribution, to this day blessed by millions around the world, is the global eradication of Smallpox. The Edward Jenner Museum, close to the town's centre - you can visit its website from our 'Local Attractions' page - gives an excellent insight into his work and the times in which he lived.

Berkeley Castle is the most famous landmark in the area, (its website can also be visited from here) so suffice to say, the town's history begins there and moves through almost every building around the town centre. It is recommended that those with a wish to know more about Berkeley - and there is plenty of interest to follow up - could do worse than visit the local library and pick up a small booklet, "Berkeley" a half-hour read, and learn about many of these buildings. This is particularly so of St Mary's Church, which has some parts dating back to 910 AD when it was destroyed by the Danes.

 
 
 
 


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