The Sunday Times November 14, 2021 23Travel UK
Where to sleep
like a queen,
dine like a
king and
enjoy country
pursuits in
acres of
landscaped
gardens. By
Lisa Johnson
known as the former residence
of Anne Boleyn — and later
William Waldorf Astor, who
restored it in the 1900s and
added the gardens and lake.
Most days it is busy with
visitors admiring Anne’s
prayer books or the Tudor
portraits, getting lost in the
maze or gasping at the
jousting, but outside opening
hours overnight guests have
the 125-acre grounds to
themselves. The 28
traditionally furnished rooms
are in two Tudor-style wings
that date from 1903; some
have four-poster beds.
Details B&B doubles from
£185 (hevercastle.co.uk)BEST FOR ATMOSPHERIC
DINING
AMBERLEY CASTLE
WEST SUSSEX
Henry VIII, the future Queen
Elizabeth I and Charles II
all visited this fortified
12th-century bishop’s manor
house, which has a portcullis
entrance and 60ft curtain
walls enclosing the ruins of
a great hall destroyed in the
Civil War. Now owned by
Andrew and Christina
Brownsword (of the equally
popular Bath Priory), it has19 rooms with glamorous
bathrooms and a formal fine-
dining restaurant under a
barrel-vaulted ceiling. Tea is
served on a terrace
overlooking the romantic
gardens and topiary.
Details B&B doubles from
£225 (amberleycastle.co.uk)BEST FOR GILDED
GRANDEUR
THORNBURY CASTLE
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
After Edward Stafford, the
creator of this crenellated
Tudor castle, was beheaded
in 1521, Henry VIII took
possession and brought
Anne Boleyn to stay.
Refurbished under new
owners, it now marries
1530s grandeur with 2020s
splendour in 27 lavish rooms
and tower suites, including
the very suite that Henry and
his bride occupied in 1535.
Falconry and archery await
in the 15-acre grounds, which
include a lovely walled
garden, and dinner is an
elaborate à la carte or tasting
menu. The village is well
placed for exploring Bristol
and the Cotswolds.
Details B&B doubles from
£251 (thornburycastle.co.uk)BEST FOR CASTLE GROUNDS
LEEDS CASTLE KENT
Once home to Catherine of
Aragon and five other
medieval queens before her,
this 12th-century castle is now
a hugely popular visitor
attraction with falconry, a
maze, a secret grotto and a Go
Ape course. Accommodation
includes five luxurious Tudor-
style rooms in the 16th-century
Maiden’s Tower, which is
surrounded, like the castle
itself, by the moat and 500
acres of gardens and parkland.
The 17 contemporary rooms
in the 1930s Stable Courtyard
make an elegant alternative,
and are nearer the 17th-
century Castle View
restaurant, where breakfast
and dinner are served.
Details B&B doubles from
£110 (leeds-castle.com)BEST FOR HISTORY
HEVER CASTLE KENT
This double-moated,
crenellated castle dates from
the 13th century, but is bestTHE BEST
BEST FOR ROMANCE
WARWICK CASTLE
WARWICKSHIRE
Originally a Norman motte-
and-bailey, this 14th-century
military stronghold hosted
many a royal in its time —
not least Edward IV, who
was a prisoner here during
the War of the Roses. One
of the best things about an
overnight stay in one of its
two Tower Suites is the
after-hours tour with a
historian. Accessed via a
spiral staircase, suites have
lavish four-poster beds
under vaulted ceilings, while
a private concierge is on
hand to guide guests
through the myriad
attractions. It all sits in 64
acres by the River Avon.
Details B&B doubles from
£599, including two-day
castle tickets (warwick-
castle.com)BEST FOR AN ISLAND
ESCAPE
STAR CASTLE HOTEL
ST MARY’S, ISLES OF SCILLY
Built in 1593 on the orders
of Queen Elizabeth I, this
star-shaped fortress is set
within thick walls that offer
breathtaking sea views fromeach of the star’s eight points.
The 38-room hotel is very
much a family affair, with
Teresa Francis overseeing the
largely contemporary styling,
while husband Robert
catches the lobster and
crab and provides the wines
(from his own island
vineyard). It’s also child-
friendly: as well as 16 family
rooms, there is a heated
swimming pool and a tennis
court. A boatman visits at
breakfast to help guests plan
their island hopping.
Details B&B doubles from
£153 (star-castle.co.uk)BEST FOR MOUNTAIN
AND SEA VIEWS
CHATEAU RHIANFA
ANGLESEY
Built in 1849 by Sir John
Hay-Williams as a dower
house for his wife, Lady
Sarah, this grade II listed
mansion on the island of
Anglesey takes its cue fromFrom left, a suite at
Thornbury Castle,
Gloucestershire; Hever
Castle, Kent; Star Castle,
Isles of Scilly. Sussex’s
Amberley Castle, belowContinued on page 24→IN THE UK