HISTORY-lovers, families and visitors to Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe are being offered a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of previous Kings and Queens when it re-opens its doors in March.

One of England’s most royally-connected castles is allowing access to private rooms which have never been open to the public before.

The additional rooms include the Major’s Dressing Room, the Morning Room, the Sewing Room, and the Clock Tower Staircase, as well as private bedrooms.

These rooms form part of an extended and revamped route around the castle, which includes the highly anticipated ‘20 Treasures of Sudeley’ – a collection of unique artefacts and works of art of great historical importance.

And King Richard III will be returning to the Cotswolds in April following news the castle is just one of seven venues in the UK to host the reconstructed head of the controversial king.

A 3D face replica based on the skull of Richard III, whose remains were discovered beneath a car park in Leicester last year, will be on show at the castle from Wednesday, April 2 to Tuesday, April 15, allowing the public a chance to come face to face with one of England’s most important historical figures.

Lady Ashcombe, who owns and lives in Sudeley Castle & Gardens, said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting the reconstructed head of Richard III.

“The discovery of his remains last year sparked much interest in his intriguing story, and as a king who played a special part in Sudeley Castle’s history, we look forward to sharing this with our guests as part of a special exhibition.”

Richard III owned Sudeley Castle twice in his lifetime, first using it as his base for the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1469 and then coming into ownership again on his ascension to the throne in 1483.

As part of the exhibit, screenwriter Philippa Langley, who organised the excavation of the site leading to the royal find, will be delivering a talk and signing copies of her book on Thursday, April 3, and will be opening Richard III Day the following day. Tickets are £8.

Esteemed historian Alison Weir, whose early modern fictional works are among the most popular in the UK, will be delivering a talk, Richard III: The Man and the Myth, on Friday, April 4, as well as signing books. Tickets cost £10.