Our pick of Britain’s grandest castle hotels
Celebrate HM the King’s Coronation with teaware fit for royalty
Step back in history and experience a night or two at one of these magnificent castles.
Thornbury Castle, built in 1511 during the reign of Henry V111, was one of the grandest buildings of its time in England. It has been the home of kings, queens and dukes over the centuries before becoming a luxury hotel in 1966, and recently opening its doors once again to guests following a multi million pound refurbishment.
Located near Bristol and overlooking the Gloucestershire Countryside, Thornbury Castle is the only Tudor castle in the UK which operates as a hotel and Three AA Rosette fine dining restaurant. Visiting guests will be able to enjoy a variety of activities to conjure up the atmosphere of Tudor England, including historical tours, axe throwing, archery and laser clay pigeon shooting.
Thornbury Castle retains many original features; including arrow slit windows and original planting from the Tudor period which can be admired by taking a walk around the Castle.
Whether you are looking for somewhere special to celebrate the King’s Coronation in May, or a romantic stay, you will be assured of a warm welcome.
♦ Please contact us on reservations@thornburycastle.co.uk or visit our website on www.thornburycastle.co.uk
An unforgettable stay at Appleby Castle
Appleby Castle is the ancient heart of the Eden Valley, Cumbria. It lies nestled and undisturbed between the North Pennines and Yorkshire Dales and is arguably the areas best kept secret. The castle has a rich and varied history. It has been held by the Kings of England and Scotland and boasts one of the few remaining intact Norman keep, which is now a museum dedicated to Norman history. The castle’s 3rd Earl of Cumberland, George Clifford, was Elizabeth I’s champion jouster and one of the founders of the East India Company. His daughter was the celebrated preservationist Lady Anne Clifford, who did much for the castle and surrounding area.
Today, the castle is a unique country hotel, where guests can enjoy a variety of special events, including open-air theatre, battle re-enactments and history tours.
Stay at Appleby Castle and enjoy a four poster bed in the style of the gentry with full use of the Castle’s facilities; the great hall, games room and enjoy a tour of this historic building.
♦ For more information please visit Applebycastle.org
14th Century Northumberland Castle Bolthole
Exquisite 4-star Langley Castle Hotel nestles in 10 acres of lawns and woodlands, just a stone’s throw from Hadrian’s Wall, welcoming guests ranging from bolthole-seeking couples, to families breaking for the border and classic car enthusiasts arriving via the A686, one of England’s greatest drives.
England’s most authentic fortified medieval castle thrills guests with daily Battlement tours, narrating 663 years of rich history, and feeds and waters them in fine style, in its 2AA Rosette Josephine restaurant.
9 stunning castle rooms offer the true castle idyll, with four-poster beds and raised window seats set into seven-feet-thick walls, plus contemporary surprises. More relaxed Castle View accommodation includes dog-friendly rooms, enabling Fido to explore award-winning Langley Castle’s ‘Canine Castle Capers’ guide.
Stay, hire the entire castle for an exclusive-use wedding or party, or book a Starry Knight stargazing extravaganza. And, if desiring the most ambiencefilled wedding-for-two, don’t overlook Langley’s elopement wedding expertise.
♦ www.langleycastle.co.uk
