Thornbury Castle Hotel in the Cotswolds

Thornbury Castle stands as England's only Tudor castle operating as a luxury hotel, offering guests the extraordinary opportunity to sleep where Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn once shared ten romantic nights in August 1535. Built in the early 16th century by Edward Stafford, the Duke of Buckingham, this magnificent fortress was seized by Henry VIII after Stafford's execution for treason, becoming a royal residence that has welcomed crowned heads for centuries. Today, this Grade I-listed Relais & Châteaux property maintains its regal heritage while providing modern luxury, from the Henry VIII Suite with its four-poster bed and original spiral stone staircase to the 3 AA Rosette restaurant serving British cuisine in the Great Hall where kings once dined. Set within 15 acres of Tudor gardens—the oldest in England—and surrounded by the rolling Gloucestershire countryside, Thornbury Castle seamlessly blends 500 years of history with contemporary hospitality, making it possible for modern travelers to experience the grandeur of Tudor court life in authentic royal chambers.