Is staying in a real Castle on your bucket list? How about a Tudor Castle in England, owned and visited by the UK’s most fascinating monarch, King Henry VIII?
Britain is blessed with many historic Castles in beautiful surroundings. Although there are many castles in England which you can visit, there are very few Castle Hotels. We discovered one close to where we lived, and we didn’t have to pay a King’s ransom to spend the night; Thornbury Castle in South Gloucestershire.
Thornbury Castle is a 500 year old luxurious Castle Hotel. Built in the 1500’s, King Henry VIII owned this castle and stayed for 10 days with his wife, the fated Anne Boleyn, on their honeymoon tour in 1535, and yes you can stay in the same room as King Henry VIII.
We booked a night here for Sy’s birthday, but did it live up to its expectations? Did we feel like Royalty when we stayed at Thornbury Castle, and what’s it like to walk in the footsteps of Kings and Queens?
Feet Do Travel reveal what it’s like to stay in a real Tudor Castle Hotel.
Britain is blessed with many historic Castles in beautiful surroundings. Although there are many castles in England which you can visit, there are very few Castle Hotels. We discovered one close to where we lived, and we didn’t have to pay a King’s ransom to spend the night; Thornbury Castle in South Gloucestershire.
Thornbury Castle is a 500 year old luxurious Castle Hotel. Built in the 1500’s, King Henry VIII owned this castle and stayed for 10 days with his wife, the fated Anne Boleyn, on their honeymoon tour in 1535, and yes you can stay in the same room as King Henry VIII.
We booked a night here for Sy’s birthday, but did it live up to its expectations? Did we feel like Royalty when we stayed at Thornbury Castle, and what’s it like to walk in the footsteps of Kings and Queens?
Feet Do Travel reveal what it’s like to stay in a real Tudor Castle Hotel.
Approaching Thornbury Castle Hotel
Where is Thornbury Castle?
Thornbury Castle is located in South Gloucestershire, the south west of England in an area of outstanding natural beauty known as the Cotswolds. It is just off Junction 14 of the M5 near Bristol where I was born.
Thornbury Castle was built in the 1500’s by Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. Unfortunately for him, a disgruntled servant betrayed him to the King, so Edward was sent to the Tower of London, executed on Tower Hill for high treason, and King Henry VIII claimed the castle for himself. Like he always did!
The Castle was owned by the Tudor’s for about 25 years. It was Henry VIII’s for 14 years until he died, then passed onto his daughter Queen Mary I. After her death in 1558, it was returned to the Duke’s family.
Thornbury Castle is located in South Gloucestershire, the south west of England in an area of outstanding natural beauty known as the Cotswolds. It is just off Junction 14 of the M5 near Bristol where I was born.
Thornbury Castle was built in the 1500’s by Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. Unfortunately for him, a disgruntled servant betrayed him to the King, so Edward was sent to the Tower of London, executed on Tower Hill for high treason, and King Henry VIII claimed the castle for himself. Like he always did!
The Castle was owned by the Tudor’s for about 25 years. It was Henry VIII’s for 14 years until he died, then passed onto his daughter Queen Mary I. After her death in 1558, it was returned to the Duke’s family.
Our visit to Thornbury Castle
From the moment we walked through the solid oak wooden door to when we drove out of the magnificent grounds, I felt relaxed and (dare I say it) like Lady Briggs.
From the moment we walked through the solid oak wooden door to when we drove out of the magnificent grounds, I felt relaxed and (dare I say it) like Lady Briggs.
|
The beautiful oak wood entrance
|
I admit, sometimes I do enjoy the finer things in life, and to stay in a Castle once frequented by Royalty appealed to me. To walk in the footsteps of a King, Queen and nobility made me feel special, if only for a day. And that is exactly what a stay at Thornbury Castle is about; the cost of a night here isn’t just about sleeping in a four-poster, Tudor style room, it’s about a historic experience like no other.
Grand stairs leading up to the bedrooms
|
Magnificent paintings and tapestries adorn the walls
|
Upon checking in, we walked up the stone staircase in the old wing of the Castle passing large portraits and tapestries hung on the walls. There are 28 bed chambers to choose from, we were shown to a Superior Classic Room decorated in the Tudor period style. The four-poster bed was traditionally dressed, a gilded mirror hung on the wall, and the room contained many iconic castle features.
Our dressed 4-poster bed
|
The rooms are fitted with period furnishings, like this gilded mirror
|
The view from our bedchamber window was onto the beautiful landscaped grounds.
The ceiling in our room with period lightfittings
|
Our bedroom overlooked the stunning landscaped gardens. Croquet on the lawn anyone?
|
Knowing that King Henry VIII stayed here, I asked for a tour of the Castle, and to see the room where he had stayed with Anne Boleyn. We were in luck, no one had booked the room known as The Duke’s Bedchamber, so we were able to have a sneak peek.
It’s a large, grand room as one would expect befitting a King! In hindsight, I wish I had taken a photo of the entire room and not just the four-poster bed. However, I was in awe, I couldn’t help but stand and stare. Looking around the room, I wondered what conversations took place here over 500 years ago … if walls could talk, oh what stories they would tell!
It’s a large, grand room as one would expect befitting a King! In hindsight, I wish I had taken a photo of the entire room and not just the four-poster bed. However, I was in awe, I couldn’t help but stand and stare. Looking around the room, I wondered what conversations took place here over 500 years ago … if walls could talk, oh what stories they would tell!
Henry VIII bedchamber
|
The entrance door to Henry VIII bedchamber
|
Walking in the footsteps of a King
The Castle is somewhat of a museum. Suits of armour are displayed in large embellished oriel bay windows, luxurious tapestry-covered chairs sit next to stone open-fireplaces. A drawing room is filled with books stacked high in wooden bookcases; you are welcome to sit, read, and look around at the impressive tapestries displaying Tudor hunting scenes.
The Castle is somewhat of a museum. Suits of armour are displayed in large embellished oriel bay windows, luxurious tapestry-covered chairs sit next to stone open-fireplaces. A drawing room is filled with books stacked high in wooden bookcases; you are welcome to sit, read, and look around at the impressive tapestries displaying Tudor hunting scenes.
The rooms feel like a museum with suits of armour displayed in oriel bay windows
Drawing rooms are furnished with tall bookcases filled with books
All rooms have high, decorated ceilings and cornices. Candelabra’s, chandeliers, tall and small lamps provide subtle lighting throughout
|
|
|
|
We took a stroll on this crisp Autumn day through the perfectly sculpted gardens. We were reminded that this wasn’t just a garden, but a place where the feet of nobility would have tread. I had visions of the King and Queen slowly walking these same paths, surrounded by court staff and ladies-in-waiting. Maybe I have watched too many period dramas (including The Tudors starring Jonathan Rhys-Meyers).
|
|
|
|
We walked around the grounds until the sun began to set behind the castle
On a summer’s day, I can imagine it would be wonderful to play croquet on the lawn, try a spot of archery or learn falconry which are some of the options provided by the Hotel. Afternoon Tea is also an option of which I am a huge lover.
I can’t think of anything more quintessentially English than having afternoon tea in the castle gardens on a fine summer’s day. Delightful.
Dressed for Sy's birthday dinner
|
Returning to celebrate our wedding anniversary
|
Dining at Thornbury Castle
We loved dining at Thornbury Castle so much, we continued to return for special occasions such as our Wedding Anniversaries and Mother’s Day.
There is only one word to describe the serve; impeccable.
We loved dining at Thornbury Castle so much, we continued to return for special occasions such as our Wedding Anniversaries and Mother’s Day.
There is only one word to describe the serve; impeccable.
The famous Ritz Staircase
We once dined at The Ritz, London for our wedding anniversary and, If I am honest, Thornbury Castle was better. I felt The Ritz was overly pretentious, for example, despite Sy wearing a waistcoat and tie under his suit jacket, he was forbidden to remove it due to their strict rules (dinner jacket must be worn in the dining room at all times), yet ladies were permitted to wear a jumper to dinner. We were also forbidden from having a photograph of the two of us taken. No cameras were allowed in the Ritz Restaurant, but we merely wanted our waiter to take a picture of us toasting our wedding anniversary.
I digress, back to our Thornbury Castle dining experience, because that is what it was; a fine dining experience. For Sy’s birthday meal we had booked a table in the Dungeon dining room where we received 5 star service. An intimate dining experience, our glass was never allowed to run dry. Out of nowhere, our attentive yet discreet waiter would top up our water or wine glass.
Speaking of wine, the hotel has its own vineyard serving Thornbury Castle wine. We shared a bottle, it was crisp and fresh complementing our palette perfectly.
With fine dining, your plate is never piled high with food, however the richness of the ingredients ensures you never leave the table feeling hungry. From the A-La Carte menu we ordered beef and venison which were cooked to perfection. Every single mouthful was slowly chewed to extract as many flavours as possible. For dessert, I had told the hotel in advance that it was Sy’s birthday, and I was pleased to see they hadn’t let this special occasion go unnoticed.
Speaking of wine, the hotel has its own vineyard serving Thornbury Castle wine. We shared a bottle, it was crisp and fresh complementing our palette perfectly.
With fine dining, your plate is never piled high with food, however the richness of the ingredients ensures you never leave the table feeling hungry. From the A-La Carte menu we ordered beef and venison which were cooked to perfection. Every single mouthful was slowly chewed to extract as many flavours as possible. For dessert, I had told the hotel in advance that it was Sy’s birthday, and I was pleased to see they hadn’t let this special occasion go unnoticed.
I appreciated the detail in remembering it was Sy's birthday
After dinner we retired to our room full, satisfied and happy. Slipping into our dressing gown provided by the hotel, we sipped champagne whilst sitting on the sofa in our bedchamber. The perfect end to a perfect day.
Halloween Candles and champagne - perfect way to end a perfect day
So how did we sleep?
We had such a comfortable night sleep I didn't want to get out of bed the next morning. I lay in the grandiose room, marvelling at the reality of where I had actually slept. In a bone-fide Tudor Castle.
I will finish with an extract from my Trip Advisor review:
"We will most definitely stay here again in the future for anniversaries, birthday's or simply because we want to spoil ourselves. Now that we have found this little piece of heaven just down the road from where we live, we feel this shouldn't be just a "once in a lifetime" experience!
If you want to be waited on, enjoy sumptuous food and walk away feeling as if you don't have a care in the world – Thornbury Castle is the place to stay. So next time you are thinking of a place to visit for a special occasion - book Thornbury Castle!”
If you have been inspired to stay a night at Thornbury Castle hotel after reading this post, click here to book.
The Legend of King Henry VIII
King Henry VIII was a fascinating King who left a huge legacy. Because of his lust and ego, he turned a Catholic England into a Protestant Country, leaving a bloody trail that would continue for decades, even after his death. He is most famous for having six wives, and it was his infatuation with Anne Boleyn that ripped England apart during the 16th Century.
We had such a comfortable night sleep I didn't want to get out of bed the next morning. I lay in the grandiose room, marvelling at the reality of where I had actually slept. In a bone-fide Tudor Castle.
I will finish with an extract from my Trip Advisor review:
"We will most definitely stay here again in the future for anniversaries, birthday's or simply because we want to spoil ourselves. Now that we have found this little piece of heaven just down the road from where we live, we feel this shouldn't be just a "once in a lifetime" experience!
If you want to be waited on, enjoy sumptuous food and walk away feeling as if you don't have a care in the world – Thornbury Castle is the place to stay. So next time you are thinking of a place to visit for a special occasion - book Thornbury Castle!”
If you have been inspired to stay a night at Thornbury Castle hotel after reading this post, click here to book.
The Legend of King Henry VIII
King Henry VIII was a fascinating King who left a huge legacy. Because of his lust and ego, he turned a Catholic England into a Protestant Country, leaving a bloody trail that would continue for decades, even after his death. He is most famous for having six wives, and it was his infatuation with Anne Boleyn that ripped England apart during the 16th Century.
Henry VIII as a young King, he was considered to be handsome and athletic
|
The most famous portrait of Henry VIII, obese and bad tempered
|
Henry wasn’t born to be King, but acquired the throne aged 17 following the death of his Father, his older brother had died a few years before. At 6’2’ tall (187cm or 74.4 inches) the young King was attractive, athletic, fun loving and well-educated fluent in French and Latin. He enjoyed writing, dancing, composing, and excelled in jousting, wrestling and hunting.
After 20 years on the throne, his marriage to Catherine of Aragon had produced only one surviving heir, Mary who later became Queen Mary I (Bloody Mary). Frustrated that he had no male issue, and driven crazy by lust over Anne Boleyn refusing to be his mistress, he sought an annulment. The Catholic Church did not permit this, and for the next seven years, Henry put the wheels in motion to break ties with Rome.
He formed the Church of England becoming the self-proclaimed Supreme Head of the Church of England, a title which our current Reigning Queen Elizabeth II holds to this day.
After 20 years on the throne, his marriage to Catherine of Aragon had produced only one surviving heir, Mary who later became Queen Mary I (Bloody Mary). Frustrated that he had no male issue, and driven crazy by lust over Anne Boleyn refusing to be his mistress, he sought an annulment. The Catholic Church did not permit this, and for the next seven years, Henry put the wheels in motion to break ties with Rome.
He formed the Church of England becoming the self-proclaimed Supreme Head of the Church of England, a title which our current Reigning Queen Elizabeth II holds to this day.
Henry VIII is famous for his 6 wives
The new Church of England now answered to the King, so he dissolved many monasteries up and down the Country. This made Henry a very wealthy man, but he squandered his riches on a lavish lifestyle, and unsuccessful wars with France.
As he grew older so did his waist. Following a jousting injury in his mid-40’s, he went from a trim 32 inches to 52 inches. He never fully recovered and was left with a painful, ulcerous leg. He became paranoid, greedy, egotistical and bad-tempered. Known for his quick temper, he sent trusted friends and political alliances to their execution when they fell out of favour, this included two of his wives (Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard). More men and women were executed under his rule than any other Monarch.
If you want to remember the order of Henry's wives, there is a little rhyme;
"Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived"
Henry VIII left a legacy which changed England forever. His daughter Queen Mary (with his first wife Catherine of Aragon) tried to revert England back to Catholicism and became known as Bloody Mary. Henry's daughter Queen Elizabeth I (with his second wife Anne Boleyn) was known as Gloriana, one of the greatest Queen's to have reigned.
If you wish to continue walking in the footsteps of Tudor Kings and Queens, I recommend nearby Sudeley Castle and Hampton Court.
As he grew older so did his waist. Following a jousting injury in his mid-40’s, he went from a trim 32 inches to 52 inches. He never fully recovered and was left with a painful, ulcerous leg. He became paranoid, greedy, egotistical and bad-tempered. Known for his quick temper, he sent trusted friends and political alliances to their execution when they fell out of favour, this included two of his wives (Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard). More men and women were executed under his rule than any other Monarch.
If you want to remember the order of Henry's wives, there is a little rhyme;
"Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived"
Henry VIII left a legacy which changed England forever. His daughter Queen Mary (with his first wife Catherine of Aragon) tried to revert England back to Catholicism and became known as Bloody Mary. Henry's daughter Queen Elizabeth I (with his second wife Anne Boleyn) was known as Gloriana, one of the greatest Queen's to have reigned.
If you wish to continue walking in the footsteps of Tudor Kings and Queens, I recommend nearby Sudeley Castle and Hampton Court.
Sudeley Castle, Nr Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Sudeley Castle, near Winchcombe, Gloucestshire
Sudeley Castle is a Grade I Listed Building. It was owned by Henry VIII which he visited with Anne Boleyn on his honeymoon tour in 1535. When Henry died it became the property of his son, King Edward VI who gave it to his uncle, Thomas Seymour.
Sudeley Castle is a Grade I Listed Building. It was owned by Henry VIII which he visited with Anne Boleyn on his honeymoon tour in 1535. When Henry died it became the property of his son, King Edward VI who gave it to his uncle, Thomas Seymour.
The tomb of Henry VIII's 6th wife, Katherine Parr
|
|
In 1557, Lord Seymour married King Edward’s step-mother the Dowager Queen Katherine Parr, King Henry’s 6th and final wife. When Katherine died, she was buried at Sudeley Castle in a marble tomb which can be seen today.
Queen Elizabeth I was entertained three times at Sudeley Castle, including a celebration of the Spanish Armada defeat in 1588.
Queen Elizabeth I was entertained three times at Sudeley Castle, including a celebration of the Spanish Armada defeat in 1588.
Hampton Court Palace, London, where we visited for one of our wedding anniversaries
Hampton Court, Richmond, London
Hampton Court Palace was King Henry VIII’s residential home where he lived with all six of his wives (obviously not at once!).
This grand Castle was originally owned by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey who spent a considerable amount of money transforming the original country house into a magnificent palace fit for a King. His work did not go unnoticed, and as Wolsey began to fall from the King’s favour, he gave it to Henry as a present in 1529.
Hampton Court Palace was King Henry VIII’s residential home where he lived with all six of his wives (obviously not at once!).
This grand Castle was originally owned by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey who spent a considerable amount of money transforming the original country house into a magnificent palace fit for a King. His work did not go unnoticed, and as Wolsey began to fall from the King’s favour, he gave it to Henry as a present in 1529.
Beautiful, elegant swans live on the canal leading up to Hampton Court Palace
The grounds are magnificent and vast. Hampton Court Gardens are filled with huge yew trees, a fountain, the world’s oldest puzzle maze, and the world’s largest vine planted in 1768. A beautiful canal leads up to the Palace upon which swimming swans can often be seen.
Note: This is NOT a sponsored post and we did not receive a night for free in exchange for a review. This is our private story celebrating a special occasion. We wish to share this experience with you purely because it was so magical and memorable. All opinions are our own.
Note: This is NOT a sponsored post and we did not receive a night for free in exchange for a review. This is our private story celebrating a special occasion. We wish to share this experience with you purely because it was so magical and memorable. All opinions are our own.
Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, it won't cost you any extra, the small commission we may earn will help support the FeetDoTravel community.
Catch up on your Tudor history with the following recommendations!
|
|
|
|
Do you want more England inspiration? Check out these related posts!
My London Bucket List
A Quirky Afternoon in Bristol
Cat Cafe Comparison
The Historic City of Nottingham
Cheese Rolling Anyone?
My London Bucket List
A Quirky Afternoon in Bristol
Cat Cafe Comparison
The Historic City of Nottingham
Cheese Rolling Anyone?
Book your Thornbury Castle Hotel, England trip, future holiday, or weekend break with Booking.Com. (If you are on a mobile phone, turn the device horizontally, the “search” button will be on the bottom right of your screen).
Pin this post for future reference!
