A Regal Weekend Stay at Thornbury Castle

I often think I waste my Sundays binging box sets—especially when the weather’s miserable. And while there’s certainly a place for a lazy sofa Sunday, sometimes it’s nice to switch things up and head out on an adventure. It was a drizzly November day when my husband and I packed our overnight bags and set off for the bright lights of Bristol—or, to be more precise, the beautiful market town of Thornbury on its outskirts.

It might seem a fair trek from my hometown of Wetherby, but honestly—what else would I be doing on a grey Sunday? Besides, three hours on the road passes in no time when you’ve got a lively pop quiz going in the car. We arrived at the magnificent Thornbury Castle just after lunch, its grand stone walls rising through the drizzle, and instantly knew the journey had been worth it.

Thornbury Castle is the kind of place that makes you stop for a second and take it all in. With its turrets, stone archways and perfectly preserved Tudor features, you immediately feel like you’ve stepped into another century. Originally built in the early 1500s and once owned by Henry VIII, the castle balances its deep history with modern comforts in a way that feels both authentic and completely welcoming.

We were warmly greeted by a smartly dressed reception team who promptly showed us to our beautiful suite. Thornbury Castle comprises 26 exquisite ‘bedchambers’, each sympathetically restored to celebrate its Tudor heritage. Original period features blend seamlessly with modern comforts—think plush décor, grand four-poster beds draped in luxurious fabrics, monogrammed cushions, and rich jewel tones that make every room feel fit for royalty. It’s the thoughtful high-end touches that really set it apart: cafetière coffee with fresh milk in the fridge (a welcome upgrade from those dreaded UHT cartons), fluffy robes, Molton Brown toiletries, and even a small carafe of delicious sloe gin waiting for us — a warm and very welcome touch.

After a warming tot of sloe gin, we headed out to explore the grounds. The gardens at Thornbury Castle are tidy, peaceful and easy to wander, with neat lawns, clipped hedges, a kitchen garden, small orchard and plenty of pathways leading you around the grounds. Even in November, with drizzle hanging in the air, it all felt calm and inviting — the perfect setting for a leg stretch and a good nosey around.

From there, we headed into the charming village of Thornbury to get a feel for the area. It’s a proper market town, lined with independent shops, cafés, and a couple of really decent pubs. We stopped for a quick drink, then made our way back to the hotel to freshen up and get ready for the main event: dinner.

Thornbury Castle has spectacular Tudor interiors, with something to catch your eye in every corner. There’s a beautiful library stocked with historical books, and the lounge is the perfect place to unwind with a drink—which we did. We even got a little competitive with a couple of rounds of Connect 4 by the fire. Board games are underrated in my book, and we had such a good laugh actually being present and switching off for a while. It turned out to be a great way to work up an appetite.

Dinner is a fancy affair at the castle. There’s an à la carte menu available, but we opted to upgrade to the tasting menu for a small extra cost — and it was absolutely the right call. The tasting menu was genuinely impressive from start to finish. Each course was small but considered, with a real focus on flavour rather than unnecessary frills. I swapped the crab dish for the burrata, which turned out to be a great choice — creamy, fresh and paired with romesco sauce, tomato butter and the thinnest, crispest laminated bread. Him indoors had the crab and absolutely loved it, especially the crab raviolo which he said was packed with flavour. The brisket and foie royale was rich without being overwhelming, and the rare-breed beef was cooked perfectly and finished with a glossy red wine sauce that we would have happily eaten a bowl of on its own. Even the palate cleanser was a nice surprise, and the chocolate soufflé at the end was light, warm and exactly what you want from a classic pudding. The whole menu felt balanced, thoughtful and special without ever tipping into pretentious.

Midway through dinner, a gentleman wandered in dressed head-to-toe as Henry VIII, which added an unexpected bit of fun to the evening. Thornbury Castle runs various Tudor-themed experiences throughout the year, so it fitted the setting perfectly.

After working our way through the tasting menu, we rolled back to our room feeling happily full and ready to sink into our four-poster bed — and I have to say, we slept incredibly well. How very regal indeed.

Breakfast was served in the same room as dinner and was another generous offering, with plenty of tempting dishes cooked to order. His lordship went straight for the full English, while I stuck to coffee and toast — I was still completely full from the night before. After one last wander around the grounds, it was sadly time to head home.

I’d love to revisit this incredibly splendid hotel again. From the warm welcome to the impeccably clean, characterful rooms, the stunning grounds and the imposing architecture, we loved every minute — and I’m confident you will too. Book your bedchamber and prepare for a right regal stay. Tell them I sent you.

Words – Joanne Brook-Smith

Thornbury Castle
Castle St, Thornbury
Gloucestershire, BS35 1HH
+44 (0) 1454 281 182
reception@thornburycastle.co.uk

Crave Magazine: your essential guide to the best in UK lifestyle, food and travel.