The Sunday Times recently revealed its definitive list of the ‘100 Best Places to Stay in the UK‘ and we were thrilled to be named as winners of the ‘Best Romantic Hotel’.
The guide says; “Curtain walls, crenellations, Tudor chimneys — this historic pile is full of atmosphere and the restaurant is great. A heady rush of history awaits at Thornbury Castle…Apparently Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn were overnight guests. By the time you check out, you’ll be feeling pretty regal too.”
The guide focuses on the things that really matter; hotels with the essentials of comfort, great service and value, as well as personality and warmth.
Our General Manager Simone Arcucci commented: “Thornbury Castle really is a truly unique place to stay and is the only Royal Tudor castle in the UK which has been transformed in to a luxury hotel following our recent multi-million pound refurbishment. We are truly delighted to be named ‘Best Romantic Hotel’ in the UK by The Sunday Times. It’s wonderful to be recognised as a ‘Best Place to Stay’ in this prestigious annual guide that is based on comfort, great service and value, personality and warmth. We look forward to welcoming more guests as they experience Tudor opulence like Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn did in 1535 when they visited the Castle as part of their Royal Progress Tour.”
Following our recent multi-million pound refurbishment the castle channels 1520s grandeur with 2020s splendour. The Castle’s 27 bedchambers have been carefully restored and interiors are sensitively reimagined with historical fineries and contemporary luxuries. Fifteen of the bedchambers and suites feature sumptuous four-poster beds, rich period detailing, with décor throughout the rooms and suites artfully recreating the Tudor style in which royalty and aristocracy would have languished, feasted and relaxed in.
Each one of Thornbury Castle’s six deluxe suites has been refurbished and offer their own unique style and design with no two the same. For example, the Jane Seymour Suite, accessible via a spiral stone staircase, oozes castle luxury, complete with a four-posted bed, located in the oldest tower of the building, offering stunning views that stretch all the way to Wales.
A visit to the Castle will even offer history-loving guests a chance to stay in its King Henry VIII bedchamber, the very room where Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn stayed in for 10 nights as part of their Royal Progress tour in 1535. This is located in the Castle Tower, which still has the original stone spiral steps to access the bedchamber. Alternatively, guests can choose the high life and discover the Castle’s Catherine of Aragon Tower Suite. Featuring 24-carat gilding, sumptuous Tudor furnishings, and the largest four-poster bed in any UK hotel, it is accessible via a 77-step spiral staircase (and don’t worry, luggage will be carried by our Reception team!).