From 1st – 6th September 2026, Sudeley Castle & Gardens in Winchcombe will be celebrating the life and legacy of Queen Katherine Parr (the last wife of King Henry VIII), who lived and died at Sudeley, and remains the only queen to be buried in the grounds of a private castle. Visitors are invited to discover more about one of England’s most fascinating queens, exploring pivotal moments in the nation’s history through tales of resilience, love and conviction, in a special week of events taking place at the Cotswold castle.
From Monday 1st – Sunday 6th September, visitors can follow in Katherine Parr’s footsteps on a special trail throughout Sudeley’s stunning gardens. Illustrated trail boards will guide visitors from the castle entrance to the site of Katherine Parr’s burial in the beautiful Chapel, St Mary’s Church. The intricately carved stone effigy, created in her likeness, rests above the rededicated tomb, designed by the celebrate Victorian architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott. Along the way, visitors will learn about Katherine’s childhood and education, her marriages, and her tenure as Queen of England, as well as her role as a stepmother to King Henry’s son Edward (later Edward VI) and two daughters, Mary (later Mary I) and Elizabeth (later Elizabeth I) and her final days at Sudeley Castle.
Katherine was a passionate scholar, with a love for learning and writing. Visitors to Sudeley during Katherine Parr Week will be able to view high-quality copies of her letters and prayer books in the Chapel, as well as originals located in the castle’s exhibitions area. This will be a rare opportunity to engage with reproductions of these remarkable, historic documents. A replica of Katherine’s gown worn when she served as Regent during King Henry VIII’s war in France (as worn by Alicia Vikander in the 2023 film Firebrand) is also on display within the permanent exhibitions alongside reconstructions of Tudor gowns worn by Henry VIII’s other wives.
Throughout the celebrations at midday and 2pm (excluding Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September), Sudeley’s expert guide, Mike Bottomley, will portray Miles Coverdale, Katherine Parr’s chaplain, in an interactive and engaging living history talk in the Chapel. Each talk will explore Katherine’s final months at Sudeley, her dedication to her faith and the events surrounding her death. On Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September, costumed storytellers will present an immersive interpretation of Katherine Parr’s life, her personal alliances and the precarious world of the Tudor court.
To mark the life and legacy of this remarkable queen, from 1st – 6th September visitors who share a name with Katherine Parr are invited to enjoy free entry into Sudeley Castle & Gardens for the day. Katherines, Catherines and Kathryns (and other spelling variations) are all welcome to enjoy this fun, celebratory perk when they bring along ID to the Visitor Centreupon entry.
 | To find out more about Sudeley Castle & Gardens and the 2026 Katherine Parr Week celebrations, see https://sudeleycastle.co.uk/events/queen-katherine-parr-a-royal-legacy |
