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A woman with flowing red hair wearing a long, ethereal white gown walks along a garden pathway surrounded by lush greenery and hydrangeas, with the ivy-covered walls of a historic stone building and a tall castle tower in the background under a bright blue sky.
This image shows a luxurious bedroom with a vintage aesthetic at Thornbury Castle. The space features an ornate canopy bed with gold drapery, green velvet seating, and intricate patterned carpeting with red and gold accents. The ceiling is decorated with geometric wood paneling and floral patterns, complemented by warm natural light streaming through a leaded glass window.

England, Travel, United Kingdom | January 21st, 2025

Spend the night where King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn stayed: Thornbury Castle

Did you know that you can actually spend the night in a REAL LIFE CASTLE that King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn stayed in?? Welcome to Thornbury Castle in England!

Located in Bristol, England, this real life castle hotel is an absolute must-visit when in England.

There are only a handful of castle hotels to that you can spend the night at in the United Kingdom and Thornbury Castle is at the top of my list! It’s a place that feels like it’s straight out of a fairytale, blending the regal past with the luxury of the present. And it sits right upon the edge of the Cotswolds, one of my favourite areas of England!

I had the absolute pleasure of spending two nights at this stunning historic gem, and it was absolutely magical.

Book Thornbury Castle

Welcome to Thornbury Castle, England!

As soon as you step through the stone archways of Thornbury Castle, you’re transported back to the Tudor era.

Thornbury Castle is a place is steeped in history. King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, both of whom once walked these very grounds and even stayed in the castle! Honestly as someone who used to be obsessed with all things the Tudors, this was seriously so cool.

The castle itself dates back to the 16th century, and it is full of character. The moment I laid eyes on the impressive façade, I was in love. Towering turrets, ivy-covered walls, and expansive gardens… it’s everything you dream a medieval castle would be like. With a modern twist, of course!

The castle is a maze of cozy sitting rooms, grand halls, and historic chambers. And the gardens are equally enchanting. The castle sits on 15 acres of beautifully manicured grounds, complete with topiary and blooming flowers. You can stroll through the same gardens where Henry VIII once walked, breathe in the fresh country air, and simply revel in the beauty of your surroundings.

But once inside, the grandeur truly comes alive.

This image shows a luxurious bedroom with a vintage aesthetic at Thornbury Castle. The space features an ornate canopy bed with gold drapery, green velvet seating, and intricate patterned carpeting with red and gold accents. The ceiling is decorated with geometric wood paneling and floral patterns, complemented by warm natural light streaming through a leaded glass window.
This image shows a luxurious bedroom with a vintage aesthetic at Thornbury Castle. The space features an ornate canopy bed with gold drapery, green velvet seating, and intricate patterned carpeting with red and gold accents. The ceiling is decorated with geometric wood paneling and floral patterns, complemented by warm natural light streaming through a leaded glass window.
This image shows a luxurious bedroom with a vintage aesthetic at Thornbury Castle. The space features an ornate canopy bed with gold drapery, green velvet seating, and intricate patterned carpeting with red and gold accents. The ceiling is decorated with geometric wood paneling and floral patterns, complemented by warm natural light streaming through a leaded glass window.

A Castle Hotel you can really stay in! The Rooms are fit for royalty

We stayed in one of the castle’s stunning suites – the King Henry VIII suite and it was absolutely regal.

I almost expected to wake up and find myself in a Tudor gown… actually I ALWAYS pack a gown or two (though perhaps not regency style).

The décor is dripping in old-world charm, expect four-poster beds, velvet drapes, and ornate furnishings.

Our room overlooked the lush gardens, and waking up to that view was truly spectacular.

This image shows a luxurious bedroom with a vintage aesthetic at Thornbury Castle. The space features an ornate canopy bed with gold drapery, green velvet seating, and intricate patterned carpeting with red and gold accents. The ceiling is decorated with geometric wood paneling and floral patterns, complemented by warm natural light streaming through a leaded glass window.

Dining Like Kings and Queens

Of course, no castle stay would be complete without a royal feast.

Thornbury Castle’s restaurant offers a dining experience that’s both exquisite and intimate. The menu is inspired by local ingredients and seasonal flavours. The food here is incredible, we were so incredibly lucky to have two nights of dinner in the restaurant!

From perfectly cooked steak and to a rich and creamy cheesecake, each course was beautifully presented and utterly delicious.

After dinner, we took our glasses of wine back to our room talking for hours and it really felt so magical to stay in such a place.

It’s easy to imagine myself living in a different time… except I clearly indulge and love the invention of proper indoor plumbing and heated showers.

This image features an elegant tea setting by a bay window with intricate stained glass details, overlooking lush greenery. Two plaid armchairs flank a small table draped with a white cloth, set with fine china, a teapot, champagne glasses, and a tiered tray of sandwiches and pastries. The ambiance is enhanced by warm wood paneling and a classic lamp with multiple shades, creating a cozy and refined atmosphere at Thornbury Castle.
This image captures a close-up of an elegant afternoon tea setup at Thornbury Castle on a white tablecloth. A three-tiered stand holds a selection of colorful pastries on the top tier, finger sandwiches in the middle, and scones with jam on the bottom. The table is set with fine china, a teapot, cups of tea, champagne flutes, and silver cutlery, creating a refined and inviting presentation.

Afternoon tea at the castle

Don’t miss afternoon tea at the castle! Afternoon tea here is totally essential during your stay. It’s served in their library and bar lounge areas from 1-4pm.

And the afternoon tea is delicious! I’m actually quite picky about afternoon tea, I always feel like there’s something lacking, but at Thornbury Castle, it’s literally perfect.

I’m a true admirer of all things at Thornbury Castle and if you stay, I have no doubt you will be too.

Things to do in the Cotswolds

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The Perfect Escape

Whether you’re a history buff, a hopeless romantic, or just someone in need of a luxurious getaway, Thornbury Castle is the perfect escape.

There’s something undeniably magical about staying in a place with so much history, where every room feels like a page from a storybook.

The service is warm and welcoming, and the staff go out of their way to make sure your stay is nothing short of spectacular. From the moment I arrived to the VERY reluctant moment I had to leave, I felt like royalty.

Thornbury Castle isn’t just a place to stay, it’s a magical experience.

So, if you ever find yourself dreaming of castles, kings, and queens, book a stay at Thornbury Castle. I promise, it’ll be a trip you’ll never forget.

Have you ever stayed in a castle before?

Thornbury Castle truly sets the bar for me, and I can’t wait to go back!

Kelly xoxo