Thornbury Castle is a five-star deluxe Relais and Châteaux Tudor castle, which stands in the South Gloucestershire countryside, where construction began in 1511. It’s on the edge of the Cotswolds and also very close to the historic cities of Bristol and Bath.
It was once owned by King Henry VIII but prior to that it was a residence for Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, the only man to rival King Henry VIII’s wealth at the time. He made it his principal residence and lived there until his death in 1521.
Despite its age, Thornbury Castle retains many original features, including arrow-slit windows and walled gardens. The castle stands on 15 acres of land, including its gardens and surrounding grounds, which offer stunning views and walks. The inner gateway, dated 1511, is adorned with Stafford Knots and with symbols of the Duke’s royal ancestry – these features made the stay so special and like I had stepped back in time.
Within the hotel is its restaurant, which has three AA rosettes, a title awarded to outstanding restaurants, and four red stars for the quality of the service in its dining rooms. Despite its remote location, guests aren’t short of anything to do, with on-site facilities including croquet, clay-pigeon shooting and falconry displays too.
The rooms
The castle has 26 carefully restored bed chambers, each as unique as the history it’s built on. They’re located in different areas of the castle, depending on which room you pick.
The Deluxe chambers are beautifully decorated in a traditional style with iconic period details and lavish bathrooms for a comfortable, unforgettable stay.
The Superior Deluxe features feature-rich period detailing and the most luxurious comforts, such as a decanter of Thornbury Castle sloe gin, a walk-in shower, coffee and tea facilities and luxury bathroom amenities.
Thornbury’s Castle Suites are designed to make your stay even more memorable, complete with a four-poster bed, others with roll-top baths and most with a separate walk-in shower. They’re spacious and characterful and offer a lounging area for comfort too.
There are also other suites such as the Henry VII family suite, the Jane Seymour Suite which is located in the main tower up a spiral staircase, the Henry VIII Suite where the King himself stayed with Anne Boleyn in 1535 and the Catherine of Aragon Tower Suite, located up 77 steps. At the top awaits an extravagant suite with Tudor furnishings, silk wall hangings and the largest four-poster bed of any UK hotel.
I stayed in the Queen Mary I room, which was full of period features, comfortable furnishings and a large bathroom with Molton Brown toiletries. It came complete with a four-poster bed, a decanter of Thornbury Castle sloe gin, coffee and tea-making facilities, a minibar, a safe, and a large TV. The room couldn’t be faulted, with views out of the oriel windows across the walled garden and a large seating area to chill out.
The hotel even offered a turndown service so whilst I was at dinner my towels were replenished and the duvet was turned down, ready to sleep, which was a lovely touch.
There are lots of packages and deals available at the castle, too, including a Spring Escape and a Romantic Weekend Stay which help guests make huge savings.
The food at Thornbury Castle
With three AA rosettes, Thornbury Castle’s restaurant sources the finest local produce and also grows its own vegetables and flavours in its kitchen garden.
It’s easy to see why this restaurant is loved, with the dining area adjourned by an inviting lounge space just off the reception, where I had a drink prior to my sitting and also where I ordered my dinner choices.
The restaurant is complete with a large open fireplace, traditional wooden panelling and comfortable chairs, which is a perfect environment for dinner and definitely a highlight of my stay.
The attention to detail was incredible, with the waiters and waitresses remembering who had ordered what dish so it was placed down in front of you without having to remind them.
Special touches were added to the dining experience such as an appetiser on the house as well as homemade bread with butter.
For starters, options included a mushroom veloute, treacle cured salmon, brisket and foie royale terrine and tomato with burrata. Mains included cod with pomme puree, clams, mussels and shrimp, beef cheek with carrots and foie royale, pork and apple with lettuce and caramelised apple, as well as a cauliflower risotto.
Guests aren’t short of pudding options either, with a green apple cheesecake, chocolate fondant, pineapple with sorbet and a selection of cheeses, all available to order at the time of my stay, but menus do change from time to time. The food was absolutely delicious, service was quick but not rushed and the staff were very attentive.
If you’re celebrating something special, then there is a six-course tasting menu for £95 per person.
The breakfast was in the same dining room as dinner, with the menu offering lots of options to choose from, including both continental and hot options. I opted for pancakes with maple syrup and a fruit compote as well as a fruit salad on the side, and they couldn’t be faulted.
The service at breakfast and dinner was impeccable with the staff really making it feel special, going above and beyond to make you feel welcome.
The castle also offers a “Tudor Royalty Experience” Champagne Afternoon Tea, which includes spending the afternoon dressed in replica Tudor gowns and outfits, a relaxing walk around the grounds with a short history talk and a full Thornbury Castle Afternoon Tea with a glass of champagne.
Final thoughts
My stay at Thornbury Castle was definitely unique and one which should be experienced by everyone at least once. The staff were welcoming, the food was delicious and the rooms were outstanding. It’s easy to see why this hotel is busy throughout the year, but it never felt overcrowded.
I’d highly recommend anyone to check the castle out, whether for a stay, dinner or afternoon tea. The location is well-suited for anyone looking to enjoy nearby areas, or simply relax and stay within the grounds.
Prices vary based on the season, day of the week and room type. To book a stay at Thornbury Castle, click here. To book through Booking.com, click here.
Source link
