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. 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.