Berkeley

Town in southern Gloucestershire, England, between Bristol and Gloucester; population (2001) 4,100. It is situated in the Vale of Berkeley, rich dairy and pasture country once celebrated for its ‘Double Gloucester’ cheese. Berkeley has a nuclear power station, which began production in 1962. Berkeley Castle, in which Edward II was murdered in 1327, is regarded as one of the finest castles in England.

The castle was completed in 1153 by Lord Maurice Berkeley. The Norman keep can still be seen within the great courtyard of the castle. It is still occupied, after 800 years, by the Berkeley family. Dr Edward Jenner, who discovered vaccination, was born and buried in Berkeley.

The parish church of Berkeley is Early English. Berkeley was a borough in the 13th century, but the corporation was dissolved in 1885.