Built-up area in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England
| Coordinates: | 51.692, -2.462 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | ST 68 99 |
| Population: | 2,034 |
| Dialling code: | 01594 (Lydney) |
Berkeley is a small historic town in the district of Stroud, in rural Gloucestershire, England, sitting close to the banks of the River Severn and the Severn Estuary. It occupies a pleasant position near the industrial port at Sharpness and the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, while the rolling countryside of the Cotswolds is not far away, so the town offers a mix of estuary-side landscape and classic English rural views.
Berkeley punches above its weight for history and culture: the imposing Berkeley Castle has been the Berkeley family seat for centuries and is linked with the medieval story of King Edward II, and the town is also famous as the birthplace and home of Edward Jenner, pioneer of vaccination, with a small museum and related local interest. The local economy is a blend of agriculture, tourism and small businesses, with the long-running presence of the former Berkeley Nuclear Power Station nearby adding an industrial chapter to its social history; overall it retains a village-community feel with events and attractions that draw visitors from the surrounding area.
GL13 9EH, GL13 9FN, GL13 9BN, GL13 9BG, GL13 9FF, GL13 9EJ, GL13 9AE, GL13 9DF, GL13 9BJ … See all