Found: the most romantic castle hotel in England, Thornbury Castle. Just go.
Thornbury Castle, a remarkable Medieval and Tudor castle famous for its association with King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, is entering a new era. The castle hotel’s current owners have meticulously restored it from ground to parapet and, in doing so, have deepened the chimerical romance naturally assumed in a castle to something much more real. While staying here recently, I felt I could not only touch the past, but that the long-gone lives and loves of Thornbury’s were there again, hovering just beyond my field of vision, encouraged back to life to be a part of its present. A place with this sort of other-worldly effect on its guests deserves to be called the most romantic castle hotel in England.
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A succession of royal ownership
The castle is well-known for Henry VIII’s involvement, but he wasn’t the first or the last royal to seize, inherit, receive or otherwise lay claim to the manor house and subsequently built mildly fortified castle. The castle’s first royal master, William the Conqueror, acquired the whole of England and all property therein after a successful invasion in 1066. Upon gifting it to his wife, the Queen Consort Matilda became the fortunate second royal owner. After a few aristocratic masters, King Henry VIII allowed Edward Stafford, the third Duke of Buckingham, to build a castle alongside the manor house. Eleven years later, the duke was labelled a traitor and his vast property conveniently seized by Henry, thus making him the third royal owner of Thornbury. It was his ten-day sojourn at Thornbury Castle in 1535 along with his relatively new bride, Anne Boleyn, that Thornbury’s historic association with passion began. Upon Henry VIII’s death, his son, Edward VI, inherited it. As Edward died at age 15 and Lady Jane Grey was then queen for nine days, she was technically an owner of Thornbury as well. Queen Mary I, Lady Grey’s replacement, was the castle’s last royal owner. In 1554, she graciously gave the estate back to the Stafford family. Eventually it made its way via marriage to the Howard family where it remained for 300 years. With six former kings or queens as proprietors, there aren’t many, if any, more royal castles not currently among today’s royal residences, a fact that greatly enhances Thornbury’s romantic standing. But, this is not the only factor at play.
Custom details set the stage; guests write the script
The current owners of Thornbury Castle humbly call themselves custodians. The title is telling as are the custom details found in every aspect of the hotel’s décor; the castle is beloved. After a late check-in the day before, an afternoon tour by our hotel guide, Director of Sales Karen Avery, impressed my husband and I from beginning to end. Karen drew our attention to the carpets, custom-designed and made to perfectly complement each space, and the furnishings carefully arranged on them. She answered my questions about the library’s incredible suit of armour and private dining room in which bread for hundreds was baked, plus dozens more questions. I had assumed the furniture pieces were brilliant reproductions, but learned most were time-appropriate antiques, perfectly restored. I spent over an hour after the tour taking photos and noticing the quality of the brocade drapes, hand-painted ceiling designs, and lovely tartan weave upholstered chairs.
Later, we sipped our delicious tea by the fire while our table was set in the dining room. That night was our eleventh wedding anniversary and couldn’t possibly have been in a more romantic setting. The finishing touch was a fait accompli — dinner!
Find Bristol’s best fine dining by journeying outside of Bristol and inside Thornbury Castle
Executive Chef Carl Cleghorn’s brotherly rivalry with his actual brother, Executive Chris Cleghorn of The Olive Tree in Bath, seems to have born a gift to the country, absolutely top-notch cuisine. I’m going to go out on a limb and crown Carl the winner as I’ve been lucky enough to sample both menus. The owner of The Olive Tree is a friend of my husband, so rest assured, this assessment is genuine, albeit splitting hairs — each is incredible.
Carl’s menu, prepared by another talented chef for us on our anniversary night, had a unique standout — texture. Each dish we sampled had a contrasting and very pleasant surprise. A crunch in the creamiest of soups, for example. Every course was simply magical; Chris may not be the only Cleghorn with a Michelin star for long.
Castle bedchambers
Thornbury Castle’s rooms are aptly named bedchambers. Ours was a Superior Deluxe that I imagined I discovered completely unaided at the top of a spiral stone staircase via time travel. I didn’t need much of an imagination to feel like I’d dropped out of this century and into the Tudor age, but thankfully my reality had a thoroughly luxurious claw-foot bathtub and tiled walk-in shower. To reach the bath, one needed only pass through an enormous dressing room complete with vanity.
Each bedchamber at Thornbury Castle is uniquely decorated, and all are generously sized. Both beautiful mornings I woke up to a cosy, pampered feeling. The bed linens were smooth, crisp and comfortable. I was, and am still, in awe of the four-poster bed, a restored antique draped in gorgeous gold and green fabrics. Ours had a carved stick figure design that fascinated me — I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
My recommendation
I have already begun to spread the word and am planning another stay. Thornbury Castle is hands-down the most romantic castle hotel in England. Even without an unforgettable dining experience, it would have had my recommendation. If I could give out a handshake of honour in the style of the Great British Bake Off, I would deliver it to the visionaries behind Thornbury Castle’s new era. Visit Thornbury Castle online to make your romantic plans. Hurry before the world finds out.
Gratitude
Thank you to my new friend, Karen Avery. I enjoyed your property tour the most out of hundreds thus far in my career. I appreciate the book, the research you did at my request and your impeccable taste in overcoats. Thank you also to press contact Maria Boyle for arranging my stay.
