Thornbury Castle - A Relais & Chateaux Hotel

Thornbury Castle - A Relais & Chateaux Hotel, a Tudor castle with award-winning dining, historic gardens, and luxury bedchambers

Thornbury Castle - A Relais & Chateaux Hotel occupies a 16th-century Tudor castle, the only one in England operating as a hotel. The property features 27 uniquely designed bedchambers, including suites with four-poster beds, open fireplaces, and views of the Tudor gardens or countryside. The Tower Suite offers 24-carat gilding and silk wall hangings, while the Catherine of Aragon Suite includes the largest four-poster bed in any UK hotel. Dining options include a 3 AA Rosette restaurant serving modern British cuisine with ingredients sourced from the castle's kitchen garden. Guests can also enjoy afternoon tea (£45pp) in the lounges or library. The 6 hectare grounds feature Tudor-inspired gardens, including the Privy Garden and Rose Garden with 200 historically significant rose varieties. Activities include falconry displays (£420 for 90 minutes), historical tours, and traditional Tudor pastimes like axe throwing and longbow archery. Thornbury Castle is 40 km from Bristol, with easy access to attractions like Westonbirt Arboretum and the Cotswolds.

Pros

The castle's 3 AA Rosette restaurant serves seasonal dishes with ingredients harvested from its kitchen garden.

Guests can stay in bedchambers once occupied by King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, featuring original Tudor architecture.

The 6 hectare grounds include meticulously maintained Tudor gardens, such as the Privy Garden and Rose Garden.

Unique activities like falconry displays and historical tours enhance the immersive Tudor experience.

The Tower Suite offers panoramic views of South Gloucestershire and the River Severn.

Cons

Some bedchambers require climbing spiral staircases, which may be inconvenient for guests with mobility concerns.

Children under 10 are not permitted, limiting family-friendly stays.