THORNBURY CASTLE - Luxurious Wedding Venue
Thornbury Castle, once owned by Henry VIII, has stood firm through many of history’s most pivotal and dramatic events.
Today, its surroundings are a little more peaceful. Thornbury Castle is nestled in the leafy landscape of South Gloucestershire, it offers a luxurious step back in time from the hustle and bustle of modern life, and makes for the ideal venue for your Wedding Ceremony, not just with the luxurious, castle-like interior but the grounds make for some beautiful backdrops for your photographs.
AN ANCIENT MANOR {with some History}
{Taken from the Thornbury Castle website: www.thornburycastle.co.uk}
The manor of Thornbury dates back to the 10th century and the time of the Domesday Book. In a disastrous ancient love triangle, Brictric – one of the manor’s earliest recorded owners – lost possession when he spurned the advances of Matilda of Flanders. Matilda later married William the Conqueror, who seized Thornbury, awarded it to his Queen and imprisoned her one time love.
Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, built the castle during the reign of Henry VIII, though he wasn’t able to enjoy it for long. After being betrayed to the king by a disgruntled servant, Stafford was arrested for high treason and executed on Tower Hill. Henry claimed the castle for himself, spending ten days here while on his honeymoon tour with Anne Boleyn. It remained royal property until the death of his daughter Mary I, when it was returned to the Duke’s descendants.
For two centuries, the castle was unoccupied, falling into ruin. In the 1850s, it was saved and turned into a family home. Its more recent occupants have included the Howards, the Clifford family, Kenneth Bell MBE and the Baron and Baroness of Portlethen.
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With gorgeous landscaped grounds and an ancient walled kitchen garden, not to mention the architectural splendor of the Castle itself, this is a place of great romance, infused with history. While secluded and tucked away in its extensive private estate, Thornbury is within easy reach of the M4, M5 and Bristol.
The castle is renowned for its 2AA Rosette cuisine, with our award-winning chef conjuring up mouthwatering dishes using the best quality – mostly locally sourced – ingredients.
Thornbury Castle has 27 unique bedchambers for you and your guests, with suites ideal for big day preparations (and recovery). Take a pre-party nap on a giant four-poster bed, get ready for the ceremony in an ornate dressing room, and smarten up in a beautifully designed spacious bathroom. All of the bedchambers are regally decorated and appointed to the highest standard.
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The images I have used for this article were taken from a Wedding Ceremony I officiated at and the photographs were taken by Nick Williams Photography www.nickwilliamsphotography.co.uk
And I would just like to add, that the staff at Thornbury Castle went out of their way to look after the couple on their special day, and even when I turned up for this beautiful intimate wedding ceremony they went above and beyond to look after my wife and I before and after the ceremony.
Thornbury Castle's Wedding planning team are genuine experts: they know the castle inside-out and can guide you through every step of the way, whether you’re organising an intimate family affair or a no-holds-barred ball in the great hall.
Please call their wedding coordinator on 01454 281182 to discuss your initial plans, or email them at events@thornburycastle.co.uk
If this sounds like something you would like to have for your ceremony, or you wish to know more about a celebrant, then please give me a call on 07557 803814 or fill out the contact form and I will get back to you.
