Thornbury Castle

Thornbury Castle is located in South Gloucestershire, England.  A manor house occupied the site in 930 AD.  The castle was built in the early 16^th century for Edward Stafford, the third Duke of Buckingham.  Thornbury Castle wasn’t designed to serve as a fortress, but as a Tudor country house, and so it had minimal defenses.  The duke was later beheaded for treason by his cousin, King Henry VIII.  Thornbury Castle was then confiscated by the king, who enjoyed a ten-day stay at the castle with his then queen, Anne Boleyn.  The castle fell into disrepair after the English Civil War.  The Howard family purchased the castle and renovated it by 1824.  The castle has framed courts, a central gatehouse, and octagonal towers.  The castle is currently a luxury hotel.  If you have stayed or visited there, I’d love to hear your thoughts.