Get your own Cameron Diaz ‘Holiday’ Experience this Festive Season

Thornbury Castle offers sophistication, history and a cosy stay reminiscent of your favourite Christmas films

Nestled in a countryside setting, just outside the vibrant, roaring city of Bristol, you will come across a magnificent piece of architecture. Standing for over 500 years is the historic castle and hotel, Thornbury Castle.

Steeped in British history, charm and elegance, this property has housed historical royalty – in fact, King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn slept in one of the bedchambers and walked through the ancient gardens at the castle.

On arrival through the charming village of Thornbury, you’re struck by the stature, size and heritage of the building, as well as the gorgeously elegant Christmas decorations that adorn the exterior of the building this time of year.

A Tudor castle by design, Thornbury Castle has 26 bedchambers, each decorated with traditional rugs, tapestries and furniture, as well as elegant, striking and modern bathrooms with deep, indulgent tubs and flashy showers. Heavy bedspreads adorn the four poster beds and give a sense of history and elegance.

The friendly team welcome you on arrival and lead you up a classic set of spiral staircases, where you enter the sprawling rooms with all the comforting mod-cons you could need for a luxury stay. I immediately thought of Cameron Diaz, cosying up for her adoringly British holiday with a warm cup of cocoa.

It was the festive season when we visited of course, so we marvelled at some of the most beautiful decorations and trees I had seen in a really long time. Walking around the ancient corridors it was hard not to think of the rich history and generations of people that will have walked these very halls before you.

The restaurant at Thornbury Castle is a real highlight. It has recently been awarded the esteemed Three Rosettes and proudly grows a lot of its produce onsite, including Tudor botanicas from over many centuries. There is a tasting menu or A La Carte options, all boasting seasonal dishes with the highest quality local ingredients.

I decided to go for a rich and fragrant Mushroom Velouté which boasted a warming earthy taste, followed by Rare Beef Rosti served with carrot and spinach. The main course was cooked to perfection and simply fell off of the bone. For dessert I opted for a Vanilla & Strawberry Cheesecake with white chocolate and strawberry sorbet. You could tell all elements of this dessert, including the sorbet, were made on-site – truly delicious.

There is a wide list of fine wines and house-made cocktails, although the genius bartenders can also have a stab at any classics of your choosing. I trialled a Vodka Dirty Martini and an Old Fashioned, both of which would rival any London cocktail bar.

Our sleep was restful and fit, taking full advantage of our generous and plush bed, and the morning warming bath topped up with the luxury products and bath soaps left me feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead.

The surrounding area is very peaceful and quiet, and no visit is quite complete without a walk through the beautifully landscaped Tudor gardens. Maze-like and adorned with wildflowers and roses, this is a true slice of the countryside that all Londoners crave, making the short train or car journey well worth it.

For foodies looking to maximise their stay, the hotel offers a very luxurious and pretty Afternoon Tea which can be enjoyed the day of your check in or before you leave to head home to the busy and loud city streets. For a truly peaceful and quintessentially British respite this Christmas, we urge you to book a stay at the magnificent Thornbury Castle, we can assure you, you will not be disappointed!

Bedchamber rates at Thornbury Castle start from £299. For dinner, three courses from the A-la-Carte menu costs £75. For more information about Thornbury Castle please visit https://www.thornburycastle.co.uk/