Thornbury Castle
Playing Kings and Queens is more than a fantasy at this Tudor castle ‘where you can feel the history in the thick walls’, along with turrets, oriel windows, spiral staircase and grand fireplaces. More
Good Hotel Guide Review
Playing Kings and Queens is more than a fantasy at this Tudor castle ‘where you can feel the history in the thick walls’, along with turrets, oriel windows, spiral staircase and grand fireplaces. Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Mary Tudor have all bedded down here – and you too can sleep in the portly king’s tower suite with four-poster, ornate ceiling plus loo in the original garderobe. ‘It’s all very regal.’ Even modest bedrooms might have a four-poster bed as well as lavish curtains. The castle has been beautifully brought up to date with ‘a touch of contemporary style among the olde-worlde splendour’. Chandeliers, modern frescoes and tartan-patterned chairs now rub shoulders with brocade in the palatial public rooms. Power showers sit alongside arrow-slit windows in bathrooms; all rooms have sloe gin and fresh milk. Take a turn in the walled garden before drinks in the fire-warmed drawing room and dinner, ‘served with some ceremony’ in the panelled dining room; perhaps Loch Duart salmon followed by pork with celeriac and apple. ‘Most impressive is the friendly, welcoming attitude of the staff.’ Member of Relais & Châteaux.
Hotel details
Address
Castle Street
THORNBURY
Gloucestershire
BS35 1HH
England
Telephone
01454 281182
Bedrooms
27. Some across courtyard, 2 on ground floor suitable for disabled.
Open
all year.
Facilities
lounge, library, dining rooms (vegetarian menu), in-room TV, treatment room, civil wedding licence, 15-acre grounds (walled garden, meadow), partially wheelchair accessible, adapted toilets.
Background music
classical in public rooms.
Children
aged 8 and over welcomed, no charge for extra bed.
Dogs
allowed in some bedrooms (£15 per night), public areas, not dining rooms.
Credit cards
Amex, MC, Visa.
Prices
B&B doubles from £279, singles from £249. À la carte £78, tasting menus £72 and £82. 1-night stays sometimes refused at peak times.