Review on Thornbury Castle
If it wasn't genuine, this magnificent sixteenth-century castle could have come straight out of a fairy tale, with its crenellated walls, arrow slits, intricate oriel windows, tapestries and heraldic shields. It's easy to imagine Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn's courtly romancing inside its grand rooms, in fact the whole place still resonates with history.
Drinks are taken in the Grand Hall where guests recline on expensive sofas and enjoy the luxury of monarchical chairs. After that, proceed to the hexagonal tower dining room, where ancestral portraits look down from oak-panelled walls, and silver platters are laid out on heavy wooden tables.
The food is finely tuned and elaborate: slow-braised and fried pig's trotter is served with hare farce and hazelnut 'panné', lentil and orange salad, while fillet of sea bass and steamed monkfish cheeks are paired with butternut squash purée and toasted barley sauce. To conclude, there are intricate creations like iced nougatine parfait with pistachio biscuit and macerated dried fruit. The wine list is a mighty tome to behold, with the emphasis firmly on pedigree vintage clarets and 'premier cru' burgundies.
Staying at Thornbury is a must. Several of the archaically titled 'bedchambers' have heavenly, romantic views of the oldest Tudor garden in England, which is surrounded by the castle walls.
Thornbury Castle is also featured in: Good Food Guide
Rate this RestaurantCuisine
Modern European
Chef
Stuart Shaw
Restaurant Opening Times
Breakfast: 7.00 - 10.00am
Lunch: 12.00 - 2.00pm
Dinner: 7.00 - 9.30pm
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card, American Express