ONE of the area's most popular and historic tourist attractions, Sudeley Castle, has closed.

The private rooms at the castle are now closed to the public due the owner's, Lord and Lady Ashcombe's growing family.

The areas which remain open include the art exhibitions, church, gardens and phesantry and wildfowl areas

Visitors to the attraction this week were left disappointed by the closure of the historic building in Winchcombe.

Mike Fuller and his wife paid a visit to the castle with their two friends only to discover it was closed, without being given any advance notice.

Mr Fuller, from Great Comberton, said he was bitterly disappointed and felt visitors were not being forewarned about the closure of the main attraction.

Mr Fuller said: "I've visited Sudeley Castle five or six times in the past 30 years and the last time was only last year.

"But to pay £7.20 for the exhibitions is too much. Yes, we enjoyed the gardens, the church and exhibitions but you don't go to Sudeley to see TV costumes, you go to see the real thing."

He added that other visitors on the same day, including two American tourists had also been left disappointed by their experience.

A spokesman for Sudeley Castle, Tim Baylis, said the changes had taken place in February and were to accommodate Lord and Lady Ashcombe's family which now included four grandchildren.

He said he was surprised the changes had not been explained to Mr Fuller and his friends.

He added: "First and foremost it is a family home and we have had to shut off the areas previously open for public viewing.

"However, when buying tickets in the visitor centre we try to make sure it's clear to everyone what is available to them so that no-one has any surprises."

He said that this was also made clear in their leaflets and on their website.

He added that it is also a possibility that the name of the attraction will be changed next year to Sudeley Castle Gardens to avoid any confusion for future visitors.