It includes a ‘sophisticated Champagne and canapb receiption’
Four-poster bed at Thornbury Castle(Image: (Image: Thornbury Castle))
If you’ve ever envied Kevin McAllister’s festive hotel experience in Home Alone 2, you might have contemplated booking yourself a ‘Home Alone experience’ at New York’s renowned Plaza Hotel.
However, you may have reconsidered upon seeing the price – room rates alone start at $3,000 at the time of writing (and when you factor in flights, it all adds up).
Luckily, not far from Gloucestershire, there is a Tudor castle where you can stay for three nights, offering a proper festive getaway a bit closer to home.
The stay at Thornbury Castle includes food, drink, a visit from Father Christmas, a traditional Christmas dinner, a comfortable luxurious bed, and a full itinerary of festive activities, taking you from your arrival on Christmas Eve, right through to your departure on 27 December.
While there may not be a limo ride through Manhattan, it certainly seems like an unforgettable experience. Here’s what guests will be paying for:
Thornbury Castle(Image: Lee Searle/Trencherman’s Awards)Christmas Eve
Guests can arrive at their leisure and kick off their festive getaway with an afternoon tea in one of the venue’s cosy lounges next to a roaring log fire. Each guest will be assigned a room, which will be ready for them to check into as soon as they arrive, reports Bristol Live.
If you arrive early, you can relax with a board game or enjoy a leisurely walk around the magical grounds. Later on, you’ll be serenaded by local carol singers in the atmospheric Tudor Hall, lit by candlelight.
You can savour a warm mulled wine or indulgent hot chocolate while enjoying some favourite festive tunes.
In the evening, there will be a ‘sophisticated Champagne and canapé reception’, followed by a ‘sumptuous’ three-course dinner. This is then followed by live music.
Christmas Day
Once Father Christmas has delivered gifts, guests can start Christmas morning with a ‘delicious’ breakfast. Then they will gather around the majestic Christmas trees in the lounges for a Champagne drinks reception, before the main event – Christmas lunch.
The Christmas Lunch will consist of four courses, complete with all the festive trimmings. Lunch is served at pre-reserved timeslots.
There will also be the option to take a moment to tune into the King’s Christmas Message, broadcast in the Tudor Hall.
Then, in the afternoon those feeling adventurous can embark on the castle’s ‘Tudor Quest,’ a ‘captivating’ treasure hunt to uncover the secret of the lost jewel hidden within the castle grounds. Those who prefer a more relaxed afternoon can settle into a cosy armchair by the fire, enjoy a friendly board game, or simply savour the warm ambience.
As the day draws to a close, guests will be treated to a pre-dinner festive cocktail, followed by a ‘delightful informal’ buffet dinner served in the lounges. This is described as “a casual yet elegant feast in the company of fellow guests, with live acoustic entertainment”.
Thornbury Castle’s beautiful grounds, much of which dates back to the 1500s(Image: (Image: Thornbury Castle))Boxing Day
The Boxing Day festivities will commence with a relaxing brunch – featuring steak and egg, roast salmon and a Bloody Mary with or without the Vodka kick. Guests can then immerse themselves in history with thrilling Tudor-inspired activities in the castle grounds.
The experience description reads: “Channel your inner royal with a try at axe throwing or longbow archery, experiencing the thrill of these ancient pastimes.”
Then, from 6.30pm, there will be a celebratory glass of Champagne in the lounge, setting the scene for a ‘spectacular evening’.
At 7.30pm, a sumptuous five-course Gala dinner will be served, accompanied by live music entertainment.
Departure Morning – December 27.
On the morning of departure, guests will savour a leisurely breakfast in the restaurant, taking time to relish the final moments of their stay amidst the festive atmosphere.
How much does this experience cost?
According to the official experience page on the hotel’s website, room rates start on average from around £1,925 per person for a three-night stay in a Deluxe Bedchamber.
Several of these rooms boast four-poster beds and period features, along with a seating area or a separate lounge that includes an ornate window seat offering garden views. Additionally, they come with en-suite bathrooms, bathrobes and slippers, Molton Brown toiletries, and even a minibar stocked with gin.
Dining and Cooking