Thornbury Castle is the real deal: so real that Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn stayed here and Princess Mary, later Mary I, lived here. After centuries as a picturesque ruin, the Howard family transformed it in Victorian times into a splendid private residence. All the panelling and decorative features you find are original, or are hand-crafted reproductions, including much of the furniture and tapestry wall-hangings. Spiral staircases lead to 27 unique, romantic bed-chambers, most with coronet or four-poster beds. The rooms’ baronial style has been cleverly updated with 21st-century luxuries: they are well-heated with opulent bathrooms and in-room spa treatments are available. The magnificent Tudor gardens are currently being restored to their full glory. They comprise formal gardens, a vineyard, kitchen garden, wild-flower meadow and local heritage orchard. Thornbury also has fine dining in four dining-rooms, including the atmospheric Tudor Hall, and private dining in the original dungeon. Best of all, it’s an authentic, magnificent, thundering castle.
The Tudor Walled Gardens, vineyard and orchard. Why not join Katie, their Head Gardener for an informative garden tour followed by afternoon tea?
In their 2 AA rosette award winning restaurant, and sample the Royal Tasting Menu.
A bottle of Thornbuy Castle wine, produced with a variety of grapes from their own vineyard.
Nota Bene
In 1535, King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn spent 10 nights of their honeymoon tour at the castle.
