Veil & Train’s blog features are taking a new and exciting direction this week, with the launch of our interviews with wedding industry professionals.

This week we welcome Charles Berkeley who is not only a wedding industry professional but also has the enviable task of running one of Britain’s most remarkable castles, Berkeley Castle (map), situated in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside is a top wedding venue:

Veil & Train: Hello Charles, welcome to the blog and congratulations on being our first blog interviewee, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Charles Berkeley: I grew up at Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire and a house in Worcestershire, Spetchley park. I went to school in Herefordshire at aged 8 and then up to Ampleforth college run by Monks until I was 18. I have farmed in Australia, worked in the Art world in London and studied business management in California. I love Tennis, Cricket, Swimming and reading and particularly love researching Medieval History. The Castle is the oldest inhabited in Great Britain and my family can trace its ancestry through 28 generations back to the Saxon Times.

V&T: How long have you been the Director at Berkeley Castle and what does your job entail?

CB: I have been Director for 1 year. My job involves staff management; we have over 15 staff at the Castle. Fund-raising with a team of researchers and experts in architecture and landscapes. I take private tours of the castle and am involved in marketing of the property for filming, weddings, tourism projects and interpretation of the castle.

V&T: The castle is both home and work, is it easy to switch off at the end of a hard day?

CB: It is sometimes hard to switch off after a busy and absorbing day. I have an office in the heart of the castle, so am involved in the daily routines that are needed to maintain and preserve the castle. Sometimes I forget that I have a private life and need to maintain the balance between the 2 sides of my life! I live away from the castle in an estate farmhouse about 3 miles away, so it is good to be able to just relax and wind down at the end of the day and go for a walk, to a local Spa or relax at home.

I have a spaniel puppy who brings me down to earth and I love taking him for a long walk around the fields.

V&T: When was the castle first built?

CB: In 1153. It was not finished until the fifteenth century and parts of the castle have been added to right up until 1920s.

V&T: What is your favourite part of the building?

CB: I love the Morning Room with its beautiful stonework and fireplace on the public side of the Castle. I love my parent’s study room with views looking across the water meadows.

V&T: Has the castle ever appeared in films or on TV?

CB: The castle has appeared in “Robin Hood” with Michael Praed and Jason Connery in the 80’s and “Going for a Song” with Arthur Negus. We also had the Two Ronnies filming a sketch here and I met them. “The Other Boleyn Girl” was filmed here, the TV version. “Rancid Aluminium” with Tara Fitzgerald was also filmed here.

V&T: The castle is also an exciting, unique and picturesque Wedding venue. What can couples expect when they book their Wedding at Berkeley Castle?

CB: Couples can expect a beautiful location including dining in the Historic Banqueting Hall where the Barons met before going to see King John and signing the Magna Carta. The castle is such a romantic place in the evening all lit up and the rooms are warm and packed with History. Service is excellent and couples getting married here will have every question answered by our event team of David, Eleanor and caretaker Chris. Our catering teams are first class and will help you every way in choosing the perfect menu and making the arrangements perfect for your special day.

Historic Banqueting Hall

V&T: What feature of your venue service would you say make Berkeley Castle that “little bit extra special”?

CB: Attention to detail and enjoying the facilities where Queen Elizabeth the first, Henry VIII and King John dined and enjoyed the Berkeley’s hospitality.

V&T: Can the Bride and Groom stay at Berkeley Castle?

CB: Sadly not.

V&T: You also hold Wedding Fairs at the Castle, do you have more dates coming up?

CB: We have just had a wedding fair and our next one will be January 2010.

V&T: Thanks again Charlie it’s been an interesting interview, do you have any final words for our readers?

CB: I would like to say that the castle has been preserved over 1000 years as a family house that is open for you to enjoy your special day and we would like to make your wedding day as memorable as possible so that you can share in our love of the building and it’s history.

Veil & Train readers can find out more about Berkeley Castle by visiting the website (www.berkeley-castle.com).

For Berkeley Castle wedding venue, or Berkeley Castle wedding fair enquiries, call or email and please mention Veil & Train:

Telephone: 01453 810332
Email: info@berkeley-castle.com