King Henry VIII’s Honeymoon Castle Is Up for Grabs and You Can Have It
Who wants to live in King Henry VIII’s honeymoon castle? Because now you can buy it and live the kings himself!
If you wanted to own a castle now it’s your chance but we have to tell you that the place doesn’t come cheap.
The place where King Henry VIII spent his honeymoon with his new bride Anne Boleyn is Thornbury Castle, which is priced at £8.5 million ($10.3 million).
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. Henry was the second Tudor monarch, succeeding his father, Henry VII.
Henry is best known for his six marriages and, in particular, his efforts to have his first marriage, to Catherine of Aragon, annulled.
His disagreement with the Pope on the question of such an annulment led Henry to initiate the English Reformation, separating the Church of England from papal authority and appointing himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England.
Located right on the edge of Thornbury, a market town in Gloucestershire, the castle is now a luxury hotel with 28 en-suite bathrooms, a restaurant, private dining facilities and conference and events space.
The castle, set in unspoiled grounds, with a vineyard and kitchen garden, was built during Henry VIII’s reign by Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.
Stafford, an aristocratic landowner during the period of the notorious monarch, fell out with the King, was executed for high treason in 1521. His country estate was seized by the king, who stayed there with Boleyn for 10 days in August 1535 as part of his honeymoon tour.
After Mary I, the daughter of King Henry VIII died, the castle was returned to the Stafford’s descendants, but remained unhabituated for two centuries and fell into ruin.
Then in 1850s, Thornbury Castle was renovated by its new owners, and became a family home. Then, between 1966 and 1986 was a restaurant, at which Nigel Slater was one of the staff.
Parts of the Manor House date back as far as 1330, but work on the main castle started in 1510, with the main three wings finished in three years.
The rooms have all been individually styled, and include period features such as exposed beam work and arrow slit windows.
Martin Rogers, head of UK hotel transactions, at Savills, said: “Thornbury Castle offers a unique opportunity to an investor looking to own a historic hotel.
The fantastic reputation of the business and the sympathetic Tudor interiors have ensured the hotel remains popular with guests and we expect significant interest while marketing the asset.”
If you are looking to buy the castle, you can find out more information on what you need to do at Savills’ website.
