British Castles: Enjoy a Regal Vacation

By: Joe Volz Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-06-13 12:53:00-04:00

by Joe Volz

If you really want a regal holiday, a stay at a British castle might be the answer.

Centuries-old British castles which have suffered through wars and revolutions are now weathering a new invasion: tourists. And the urbane British descendants of royalty are doing quite nicely greeting their American visitors.

There are so many castle owners interested in luring overnight guests that an American firm, Castles Unlimited, has set up a website to provide all the information.

Visiting Thornbury Castle

When fiery King Henry VIII of England wanted to spend a few nights at Thornbury Castle back in the 16th century, it took a little doing. The owner, the Duke of Buckingham, wasn't very accommodating. In fact, Buckingham, said to be even richer than Henry, had designs on the throne himself. Henry declared him a traitor and had him executed. You don't have to do anything quite so drastic to get a room at the castle these days. Just bring cash or a credit card.

Thornbury itself was never finished, which may have saved it from destruction when Oliver Cromwell, an anti-Monarchist, was wandering the countryside obliterating beautiful royal buildings. The half-constructed Thornbury wasn't worth the time to demolish.

For three centuries, the limestone Tudor castle deteriorated in the English countryside a few miles north of Bristol. Nobody lived in the place from the 1550s to the 1850s.

Earlier in this century it was a restaurant. About 20 years ago a retired real estate man, convinced that Americans would pay to stay in a medieval building, bought the castle and the 15 acres surrounding it. He was right. Today, the castle and its 24 rooms and restaurant look like, well, a castle. Guests entering the expansive green grounds walk up winding stairs and through dark cobblestone hallways to their rooms.

The larger bedrooms are the size of three normal hotel rooms and have two working fireplaces. Huge velvet drapes cover not only the windows but the closets. In the middle of the room, is a four-poster bed. The period table is set with a bowl of fruit and a decanter of sherry.

Guests await dinner in drawing rooms, the walls lined with portraits of British noblemen. The army of waiters provide menus listing a choice of venison, quail, duckling, lamb and poached salmon or a vegetarian dish. You expect King Henry to show up any moment.

Here is a glimpse at some of the other castles in England, Scotland and Wales that open their doors to overnight guests.

Leasowe Castle Hotel

Leasowe Castle Hotel & Conference Centre in England provides four poster suites and deluxe and club bedrooms. It is conveniently located halfway between London and Scotland, near England's Lake District and Wales too, with direct access to the national highway system.

Amberley Castle

Amberley Castle in West Sussex provides 19 rooms, each individually designed bedrooms and suites, all with four poster beds.

Borthwick Castle

Borthwick Castle in North Middleton, Scotland is just 12 miles south of Edinburgh on a major highway and provides 10 rooms total, five doubles and five twins.