hot water to refill out tea we had to wander to other parts to find a waitress. A La Carte Menu Our Superior De Luxe Bedchamber was outstanding. Join your fellow guests at midday, and enjoy a pre-lunch Champagne drinks reception by the Christmas tree with live music, followed by a four-course Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. Buckingham would access the chapel through a private passage via his terraced garden. Our waitress was very pleasant but must have had too many duties to be attentive, she would also have benefited from a clean uniform. The quality of this afternoon tea was average. The first included reroofing the North Wing was completed in 1997. Our waiter was very attentive, amusing and made us feel very welcome. This impressive hotel and wedding venue has undergone a 10 million refurbishment bringing it straight into the 21st century while remaining true to its Tudor heritage. I chose Darjeeling tea while our dining companions selected English Breakfast. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. It was also a fair distance from London, as his relations with both Henry VIII and his father were strained. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. When I booked the tea I'd seen it advertised at 32.50p per person so was disappointed again when the bill arrived for 71.50p. The dessert cakes were OK. Henry VIII stayed at Thornbury Castle with wife Ann Boleyn & it remains more than fit for a king today. Before setting up Travel Begins at 40, Mark was the publisher of AsiaLIFE Cambodia and a freelance travel writer. The next morning we went down for breakfast. Replete I retired for a good nights sleep aided by a shot or two of the sloe gin. With spaces that are impressive as well as intimate, we can cater for everything from private dining to grand-scale celebrations. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Bar List This was followed by squid ink ravioli in a shellfish bisque, with Loch Duart salmon, crevette and caviar. Gourmet Foodie Break - Thornbury Castle Midweek Gourmet Celebration Treat yourself to a night of indulgence with our special package. Download our apps to discover and book our exquisite hotels and fine dining restaurants worldwide. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. That said, the Cotswolds and Wales are within easy reach. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Do you know if there is accommodation on the ground floor? We were taken to the coldest, furthest room that had no lit fire until we were about to leave. I wouldnt rush back, i do not think my experience was good value for money. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The secret of course is in the training and it was very obvious that these staff were of the highest standard- very polite, smiling, knowledgeable, courteous and clearly loved the Castle and wanted us to as well. The castle is breathtaking along with the gardens outside. We have recently experienced a couple of Michelin Star meals elsewhere and were keen to compare with the Hotel's 2 AA Rosettes. There followed two further restorations. The grounds, the rooms, the castle itself, very nice. We had to ask for refills of tea and hot water, as a waiter or staff member was passing. Remainder of the cakes etc nothing special. good. Four small sandwich fingers and some small cakes and a couple of very small scones. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We werent sure if they meant a gift voucher or another voucher scheme. > In fact Henry VIII and Ann Boleyn stayed there when it was just a castle. The castle reopened on 17 May 2021, 500 years to the day after the execution of Buckingham. The hotel itself is beautiful. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Our bill came to 77 -7 was an added service charge which, under the circumstances, I felt needed to be deducted. Map updates are paused. Three Course Dinner for Two at Thornbury Castle Hotel 1073533 5 out of 5 (based on 13 reviews) 156 Best price, guaranteed! However there are many genuine Tudor features, such as the magnificent windows on the South Wing, the fireplace in the lounge, the mounting block in the yard, the 1511 front gate, and some of the chimneys that date back to 1514. After a polite word with our waitress, they were replaced and we were informed chef had just made them for us. Our booking was only for 2 nights and it soon became clear it wasn't long enough, so we added a third night to fully embrace the standard of the food and the ambience of the Castle. Not cheap but a superb experience. Castle St, Thornbury We were not having a free tea, we were very well dressed and were not rude. What is the dress code at dinner? There will be live music provided for your entertainment. Thornbury Castle, Boutique Hotel and Gourmet restaurant in the country Thornbury - Bristol - Relais & Chteaux (from) US$ 299.25 Reserve Gallery Thornbury Castle United KingdomThornbury Slide Down Hotel Restaurant Good to know News Thornbury Castle Add to my favourites "A true escape from the everyday. dining room for dinner. Dinner and breakfast added to the experience. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Thornbury Castle Castle Street, Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, BS35 1HH +44 (0)1454 281 182 Email About Thornbury Castle is a beautiful 16th century building, which was once owned by Henry VIII and stands in 15 acres of regal splendour, surrounded by Tudor Walled Gardens. That way it might catch our attention. Reluctantly, so, so reluctantly, my tour over I dragged my feet away from Thornbury Castle to head to a Reading wedding another cousin had planned. I was generally disappointed with the formal afternoon tea on offer. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". While maybe not quite fit for Henry, the food and presentation certainly lived up to the reputation initiated by Kenneth Bell. France In a place like this I was shocked that the kitchen closes. For that most extravagant of afternoon treats, our Full Afternoon Tea and Champagne Afternoon Teas can be taken in either our dining rooms or in our lounge areas. or, discuss your requirements with one of our castle experts. Our mains were a stone bass served with squash, sage gnocchi and samphire, which we followed with a delightful selection of English and Welsh cheeses, including a great Golden Cenarth. Sign-up to receive the latest updates and events. smart casual - no jackets or ties in sight! We went back to the longe for coffee and chocolates. The sandwiches were followed by a fruit scone and a plain scone with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Not worth the money very little of everything basically. > One violet plant proved particularly popular with the bees. Chef Carl Cleghorn brilliantly blends garden vegetables and produce from local farmers, offering both traditional and vegetarian menus that will delight the most discerning of connoisseurs. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. It was after breakfast that I was given a talk and tour of Thornbury Castle by David Thomas, which provided me with much of the information you have just read. Write a quick review now using our restaurant diary service. Towards the end of our stay, one of our group asked if they wanted us to leave and they said yes. REENADED . Both are served in a baronial dining room, with the evening meal featuring a dress code (no jeans, trainers, shorts etc) and predinner drinks in the library. entrance to the hotel it looks more coiffured and presents extremely well. Travel to Antarctica as Flying Penguin Officer, Celebrate Arrival of Spring at Doddington Hall. We started with a cauliflower velout amuse bouche which was served with homemade sourdough. She was quite abrupt and rude with her response too. Once you drive through the archway towards the mainentrance to the hotel it looks more coiffured and presents extremely well. Dignitaries from the city would come and visit while Henry wined and dined, and no doubt went hunting in the three nearby deer parks. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Thornbury, British Restaurants for Families in Thornbury, British Restaurants for Lunch in Thornbury, Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in Thornbury. Work completed, I still had sufficient time to stroll around the gardens before meeting my cousin. The Outer Court now stands as ruins of what probably never was. Available for private dining and venue hire, Thornbury Castle is an impressive and atmospheric setting for special events.The castles distinctive architecture forms an ideal backdrop to celebrations of any size. more, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options, Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. During the afternoon, enjoy the castle's carol singer in the Tudor Hall, along with a hot chocolate or mulled wine. We have enjoyed High Tea in many other locations, but this was far from the best. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. When I called down I was told the kitchen just closed. They immediately bought the bill and we paid. The only Tudor castle in England currently run as a hotel, this luxurious country retreat crowned with crenellations certainly looks the part - although potential wassailers expecting unruly banqueting will be disappointed. Castle Street, Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, BS35 1HH, England. However the price is irrelevent if you are going for a romantic getaway, the staff are very friendly, the gardens are beautiful (depending on time of year and what is in bloom), the rooms apsolutely amazing and the breakfast outstanding.The restaurant food was lovely - but i guess it was a little extravagant for us really. This is far more than was legally allowed by Henry as retainers. Sample breakfast, lunch, dinner or a Thornbury Castle afternoon tea. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. It does not store any personal data. Thornbury Castle is located just under 15 miles north of Bristol. It's now been bought by an Arab conglomerate as their first 5* hotel in theUK. British, Modern restaurant in Thornbury Castle St, Thornbury, BS35 1HH, 01454 281182 Website Open today 6:30 to 9:00 PM Owner's description Pass through the gateway and find, beyond those striking stone walls, a true escape from the everyday; a luxurious Relais & Chteaux retreat that channels 1520s grandeur and 2020s splendour all at once. My wife has arthritis and she was a little apprehensive that it might be cold (with so much stonework), but it was beautifully warm throughout our visit. It wasnt until Mary, who had lived here as a princess, came to the throne that the property was returned to the Stafford family in 1554. These activities will need to be booked prior to the day. This is where people lived. Suggest forego the historic environment and elect for better quality food. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. When this was pointed out, our waitress explained the bread is stored in the fridge. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Henry seized Thornbury Castle for the Crown. Despite this request nothing changed - and we noticed as we were leaving the room so they could lay up for dinner that extra heaters were being brought into the room. Thornbury Castle, Relais & Chteaux Castle Street, Bristol, England BS35 1HH Hotel Amenities Renovations + Closures The property is closed between January 9 and January 19. When this was pointed out, our waitress explained the bread is stored in the fridge. Thornbury Castle is a Tudor castle in the place of Thornbury, in Gloucestershire, England, situated next to the parish church of St Mary, founded in the Norman era.Construction was begun in 1511 as a further residence for Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham (1478-1521), of Stafford Castle in Staffordshire. During the 1850s Thornbury Castle underwent it first major renovation. The room was beautiful with a lovely curved glass window and a stained glass window in the bathroom. The customer environment was not monitored. Sign-up to receive the latest updates and events. Taxes and fees are included in the above prices. We find hotels where every single memberof staff without exception are focussed on being polite, helpful, smiling and obviously keen to make your visit very memorable are not easy to come by in these post covid days. The second time we stayed we went into thornbury village and went to a lovely restaurant called Ronnies - still a little bit pricey but cheaper than the castle and much more 'everyday' meats and dishes - very friendly and wicked food.Unfortunately Thornbury castle seems to be getting more expensive each year so I doubt if we will go again in the near future unless it is a 'very' special occasion. Immediately behind the house is a Tudor walled Privy Garden that originally would have been terraced. Today, our talented team is led by Executive Chef, Carl Cleghorn, and Food & Beverage Manager, Frederic Bellard, who both have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and are proud to offer our guests a wide range of delicious and impressive menus to suit all occasions. Our Celebration package is subject to availability Sunday to Thursday until further notice. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. He called it his favorite place we stayed on the entire trip. According to David Thomas from Thornbury Museum, who took me on a guided tour of the castle, it represented a statement of power and prestige. FIND OUT MORE Book On Line Coronation Weekend Break Celebrate the King's Coronation at Thornbury Castle FIND OUT MORE Book On-Line Easter at Thornbury Castle Enjoy Easter at Thornbury Castle FIND OUT MORE Book On-line Midweek Gourmet Celebration Rates are from 3,100 for a three-night stay for two people in a Deluxe Bedchamber. I could have done with three times the amount and additional scones. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Superb food in a lovely setting, great service. We went back to the longe for coffee and chocolates. When I booked the tea I'd seen it advertised at 32.50p per person so was disappointed again when the bill arrived for 71.50p. The grounds may be small but the gardens are beautiful. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Yet, as a diner out on the town, keep in mind that when a fine dining restaurant mentions casual, their "casual" expectations are much higher than those of your typical Saturday afternoon on the couch. A delicious breakfast will be served in the restaurant between 8 am and 10.30 am, or relax with breakfast served in your bedchamber, whilst you unwrap the goodies in your Christmas hamper! Consequently, much of what you can now see is Victorian in design. It was a very enjoyable afternoon. Flights Holiday Rentals Restaurants Things to do . 2 May 2017 | I'm not remembering the quality of the food, or the beauty of the setting just the awfulness of my daughter's present being wasted by being ignored foralmost the whole time. The drive into the grounds, finds you in an unkempt garden area with a slab of concrete for parking. To see how we use your information, view our privacy policy. The food was excellent. Next to it is the Goodly Garden. There were many highlights- the halibut, cod and stone bass were amazingly fresh, and the Loch Duart salmon with lime, mousse, caviar and shellfish bisque was particularly memorable. find your country number. Supplements apply to larger bedroom categories and childrens rates are applicable during the Christmas package only. Can the restaurants accommodate a gluten free diet? In the Woodstock room, Plantagenet room and the Howard room. Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Black tie is the optional dress code. Thornbury Castle Castle Street, Thornbury BS35 1HH England +44 1454 281182 Website Menu + Add hours See all (239) Ratings and reviews 513 RATINGS Food Service Value Atmosphere Details PRICE RANGE 96 - 96 CUISINES European, British Special Diets Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options View all details meals, features There was a 10% gratuity (not discretional and not mentioned in the hotel's advertisements) added to our 65.00p bill. > We dinned in the restaurant on the first night and opted for the signature tasting menu & what a delight it was every mouth was an explosion of taste from the amuse bouche to the fondant tart every dish was beautifully craft. Add the extremely poor service and I would advise anyone to go elsewhere. > This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. reception@thornburycastle.co.uk. Dan and Kristina's wonderful attention to detail (plus smiles and chuckles) at Breakfast was also greatly appreciated. I'm afraid this was clearly not the case as they were still quite dry on one side & cold which suggested Chef had not just made them and they were from the original batch which was stored in the fridge. It encapsulates the best of castle life, with days spent relaxing in front of the fire, being pampered in the spa treatment room, enjoying royal afternoon tea, basking in idle contemplation accompanied by spectacular views over the enclosed gardens and indulging in the many activities nearby. And the area around Thornbury isn't hugely exciting - not sure if you would want to spend a week here, but it makes a great weekend or overnight stop as the castle is a destination in its own right. The castle is in the town of Thornbury, 12 miles to the north of Bristol. Another lovely place you may wish to check out which is not far from there & just off M5 Thornbury junc is Tortworth Court which is also set in stunnin Am really not sure tbh..probably best email them to check first. I've had several stays at this beautiful hotel, been for afternoon tea multiple times, had many family meals there including my 50 birthday lunch and I've never had reason to complain but I'm afraid someone needs to have a word with Chef as it is NOT ok to serve bread which has started to dry out. It is an enchanting setting, that can be savoured in the four dining rooms of Thornbury Castles gourmet restaurant, where the focus is on creative cuisine that celebrates the essentials. After dinner, those guests who wish to attend a Christmas church service may walk next door to St. Marys Church for the Midnight Eucharist; alternatively to the Roman Catholic Church of Christ the King, situated further towards Thornbury town centre. The tea was exactly as shown on the Castle's website, with a selection of sandwiches, scones and cakes, served with a large pot of tea and a glass of champagne. The cakes and scones were all small, but perfectly nice. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The cakes &scones were delicious & the tea selection was varied. Thomas view is that Thornbury was not really built as a castle, but more a major vanity statement by Buckingham. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The castle is trading on an environment and image they cannot offer to all their customers. UK. I have had better afternoon teas in small local cafes. We have stayed at Thornbury 3 times now. #7 of 37 restaurants in Thornbury Add a photo 42 photos If you are hungry after gazing at Thornbury Castle, come to this restaurant to dine at. I was bought it as a gift for a birthday present! Wine List > Daniel in the lounge made sure our nightly pre meal experience was 100% satisfactory with superb canapes, and his wine recommendations were excellent. She then spoke to chef who said the sandwiches were ok. Tudor Splendour with Unique Food and Service of the Highest Standard! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". But to enjoy the style you could try an afternoon tea. Please see our partners for more details. Never miss the big savings. Children over the age of 8 years are welcome to share a room with 2 adults. The afternoon tea was great but we had atour too and looked round the gardens all the staff were lovely. Hospitality is in our heritage, meaning yourself and your guests will enjoy an unforgettable experience, both on the palate and in our historic surroundings. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Our reviews are based on an annual survey of ordinary diners which runs in Spring each year. Quite frankly having dined with the Signature Tasting Menu each evening we were blown away with the skill and passion of Executive Chef Carl's attention to detail, subtle flavours, and quality of the food. Overall not a good experience and I would not recommend. 01454 281182 thornburycastle.co.uk More hotels in Gloucestershire View all 9 Telegraph expert rating From Thyme Read. Four finger sandwiches and some cakes, with one pot of tea in a cold room is not enough value. She then spoke to chef who said the sandwiches were ok. Sign-up to receive the latest updates and events. Thornbury Castle If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The setting is spectacular, even better since the recent refurbishment. The Outer Court if it had been completed would have held 400 people. +44 (0) 1454 281 182 The room service option is available for specific time slots which need to be booked in advance. Best Western Bristol North The Gables Hotel. or I suspect the main door to the hotel had been left open. Our overall feeling was that we were not that welcome.More, The internal environment of the hotel is somewhat impressive. Before we left we took advantage of the Castle History Tour and Jane from the local Museum took us into rooms we hadn't seen and around the gardens explaining the Castle's colourful past- a brilliant add on experience. Do you think it deserves to be better known? Thornbury isa pleasant village with its own heritage trail and museum, which unfortunately was closed during my visit. No one came back to offer more throughout our eating experience. Dress codes remain on the books at many white-tablecloth restaurants. France To sum up- Thank you all for your expertise in ensuring we enjoyed a truly delightful stay ! Suggest forego the historic environment and elect for better quality food.More, We were given a voucher for a Champagne afternoon tea as a gift and were not disappointed! Thornbury Castle, Thornbury: See 513 unbiased reviews of Thornbury Castle, rated 4 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #9 of 32 restaurants in Thornbury. Castle Street, Thornbury, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, BS35 1HH Hours Dinner - First reservation 6.30pm. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The dessert cakes were OK. Check-out time is 11.00 am. over a year ago Answer 7 answers Reviewed this restaurant Prices for children are available upon request. To see how we use your information, view our privacy policy. The food was excellent. no trainers, t-shirts, shorts etc. Roaring log fireplaces, Tudor dcor and unparalleled service are but a few reasons to make Thornbury Castle your destination of choice this Christmas. With its aura of spectacular otherworldliness, Thornbury Castle stands proudly in the county of Gloucestershire, near Bristol, England. Generally smart casual, jeans were ok when we where there. Celebrate that most special of days in a way that all great love stories should be; with the grandest of romantic gestures amidst the grandeur of the castle and the most personal of memories made, surrounded by jubilant loved ones. more. Call our concierge to tailormade your booking and itinerary, A true escape from the everyday. Wanted to give my Japanese inlaws a proper English castle experience - and Thornbury more than delivered.