Berkeley - Market Town & Castle

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Berkeley Market Town & Castle, with Explorers following Sir Quillan Ink's secret map and clues around Berkeley to uncover the location of King Edward II's hidden jewels before anyone else does.

The quest covers 1.1 miles and should take around 1.5 hours to complete. You'll set off from the free car park in Marybrook Street, explore the Market Place and High Street, seek out Berkeley's castle and church connections, and return to the Market Place before heading back towards where you started.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. The short route is flat and on paved surfaces, but there are steps at the bottom of one crossing point, so crossing after the railing may be preferable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Take great care around parked cars and when crossing roads. The route includes roads and a railed-off pavement at one point, plus an optional scenic route that adds a charming riverside stroll with no clues to solve. If you take that detour, keep close watch near the water, and take care on the ancient and fragile stones in St Mary's Church grounds.

Getting There

By car: Start at the free car park in Marybrook Street (GL13 9AB), just before the junction of Lower Berrycroft. The circular route returns to the Market Place and then back towards the car park where you started.

By public transport: Make your way to the free car park in Marybrook Street, just before the junction of Lower Berrycroft, to begin the quest.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets can be found opposite the start car park and at the end, giving Explorers a handy comfort stop before and after the jewel-hunting adventure.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join the treasure hunt. 🐾

The route is short, flat and paved, but it includes roads, parked cars, road crossings and a railed-off pavement at one point, so keep canine companions close around traffic. If you take the optional scenic riverside stroll, take extra care near the water.

Food & Drink Stops

Tracking down King Edward II's hidden jewels is thirsty work, but there are chances to stop for refreshments and stock up on snacks along the High Street.

If you prefer to bring your own provisions, you can enjoy a picnic beside the river after Clue 11 on the optional detour.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Berkeley Castle

Berkeley Castle is the grand centrepiece of this royal treasure quest. Built as a Norman fortress to defend the vale from intruders, it is also where King Edward II was murdered in 1327. The castle has remained in the same family since the 12th century and is now a spectacular visitor attraction.

Dr Jenner's House Museum

Berkeley's most famous resident was Dr. Edward Jenner, whose discovery of a vaccine against smallpox was to save the lives of millions worldwide. His former home is now Dr Jenner's House Museum and is well worth a visit if time permits.

St Mary's Church

There has been a church on this site since Saxon times, so it's a fitting place for Explorers who like their treasure hunts with deep history. Look out for the north door, which still shows scars of the Civil War, including musket ball holes and axe marks. Dr Jenner is buried beside the altar, and the separate tower has a ring of 10 bells that rang an 8pm winter curfew until 1934.

Market Place and High Street

Berkeley may be a small market town, but it has a significant past. The route takes you past many listed buildings in the High Street, and the town itself was first recorded as Berclea, meaning birch tree wood. Older locals pronounced it Burklee, which is exactly the sort of local intel every good Explorer should treasure.