The building of Thornbury Castle, started in 1511 by Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, ended in 1521 when he was beheaded by Henry VIII. Buckingham's vast estates, including Thornbury, were confiscated by the King who stayed there with Anne Boleyn in 1535. Henry's daughter, Mary Tudor, lived here as a Princess and when she became Queen she returned the castle to the descendants of the late Duke.
Thornbury has the unique distinction of being the only Tudor castle in England to be open as a hotel. Step behind the heavy oak doors and you'll find a magnificient property with roaring log fires, delicious cuisine and sumptuous bedchambers. There are 25 bedchambers, most with four-poster or coronet beds, stones walls, tapestries, roaring fires, ornate carved ceilings and wonderful parkland views. The castle stands serenely in 15 acres, with distant views of the Severn estuary and the hills of South Gloucestershire and Wales.
Thornbury offers its guests delicious food, the rooms have all modern day creature comforts and can offer holistic therapies and beauty skin care treatments available in the privacy of your own room. Aside from enjoying the extensive castle grounds, there is croquet, archery, clay pigeon shooting, falconry, fishing and quad biking to keep you entertained. The area is rich with attractions and Thornbury is a great springboard for exploring one of England's most beautiful counties. The castle always had its own vineyard and still produces wines.
