Thornbury is between Gloucester and Bristol. Until five years ago I lived in Gloucester and it is a lovely part of the country. Berkeley Castle is nearby (where Edward II had a nasty end) and is well worth seeing. I would also recommend Gloucester Cathedral, and if you want a bit of retail therapy try Cheltenham!!

Claire-Louise said:

I am lucky enough to be staying at Thornbury Castle for a weekend soon, but as I don't know the area, I was wondering if anyone has been to/ lives in the area? If so could you please let me know if there are any other historic places nearby that I could visit whilst I'm there?

Also, although I understand that it won't be like a museum as it's been turned into a hotel, are there any interesting things such as portraits etc that are not to be missed?

I live by Thornbury, have done research for the castle and my parents have worked with them for events, so I know it well! In fact I was there last week for a fashion show.

The staff at Thornbury are very enthusiastic about the castle’s history and will show you around various parts if you ask. The portraits are modern reproductions – you will probably spot one of Anne Boleyn. Edward Stafford, third duke of Buckingham’s emblems can be found across the castle, on doorways and on the beautiful sixteenth-century windows. This is particularly the case in the room alleged to have been used by Mary Tudor when she visited the castle, aged nine, in 1525. If no one is occupying the room, ask if you can have a look inside:

There is not much in the village of Thornbury itself, I am afraid. Make sure to check out St Mary’s, the church located right by the castle. As Louise notes, Berkeley Castle is nearby (a really easy drive). Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII also stayed there, as did their daughter Elizabeth some years later. If Acton Court is open by the time you go make sure to check it out – another place where the couple stayed. I would also agree with Louise that Gloucester is a great place to visit. But if you are looking to stay close to your hotel then Berkeley and Acton Court are perfect choices. Bristol is nearby – not a particularly glamorous city! – but it does have some things of interest. There is Red Lodge, an Elizabethan house in the heart of the city (entrance free) and the cathedral (also free to enter). There is also St Mary Redcliffe’s which Elizabeth I once praised as the fairest parish church in all of England. But the hidden gem is the Lord Mayor’s Chapel, located right by the cathedral.

Some pictures of the places I mentioned can be found here:

Claire-Louise said:

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Wow lucky you living near Thornbury Castle!
Thanks for you're advice Nasim, I'm looking forward to my visit even more now! I will visit Acton Court if it's open, and Berkeley Castle for sure. I actually had no idea that Mary Tudor had stayed there, so thanks for letting me know about that. I'm only there for a couple of days but I'm going to try and fit in as much as I can- Though I can already see myself booking into the hotel again for another visit as there are so many places of interest nearby

Hope you have a great time there!

Mary stayed at the castle for less than a month in Aug/Sept 1525, on route to Ludlow Castle. We know little about her stay there; it was the first time since acquiring the castle that Henry VIII used it for a royal visit. It was certainly an appropriate place for Mary and her large household/council to reside. Henry of course also stayed there, ten years after his daughter. His stay was slightly longer than he expected for plague broke out in Bristol (which was supposed to be his next stop). The lord mayor of the city was forced to go to the castle to greet the King and Anne Boleyn. Anne promised the mayor that she and the King would return again, though less than a year later she was executed.

The castle’s history is fascinating. Obviously there is the link to the Staffords – and Edward Stafford, third duke of Buckingham was responsible for transforming the grand manor to the impressive castle you see today. You can spot Buckingham’s emblems carved into stone across the castle, namely in doorways and on fireplaces. Buckingham’s stepfather, Jasper Tudor (uncle of Henry VII), died at the castle in 1495. Another name attached to Thornbury is Sir William Kingston, constable of the Tower (Anne Boleyn’s jailor). Kingston came from a prominent Gloucestershire family and was greatly favoured by Henry VIII. After Buckingham’s execution in 1521, Kingston was made constable of Thornbury.