Why staying in a Victorian mansion should be added to your bucket list, stat

If you're after a grandiose weekend away, then De Vere Tortworth Court, just 20 mins outside of Bristol, should sate your appetite for living like royalty...

The location

If you like grand, you’re going to love De Vere Tortworth Court, a veritable picture perfect Grade II-listed Victorian mansion that sits throne like in 30-acres of picturesque parkland. Conceived by the renowned Gothic Revival architect Samuel Sanders Teulon in 1853, the exterior has all the ornate charms of a Tudor mansion, think slim turrets, gothic chimneys and robust bay windows but the inside has just welcomed a £5 million refurbishment that has catapulted the estate into the present day whilst retaining the features that make Tortworth Court so special – yes, there’s no escaping the imposing central staircase that happily dominates the space as you walk through to your room.

The room

It seems slightly reductive to label our room at Tortworth Court simply a ‘room’, for it resembled something more akin to an apartment (by typical London standards, at least) – with our suite featuring a huge king-size bed, luxurious, buttery leather sofa, writing bureau, huge bath and shower room plus an incredible free-standing bar that is surely any budding mixologist’s dream. Oh, and the Wi-Fi is super fast, should you be worrying about getting your Instagram Stories up to date.

If you do one thing

It’s hard to narrow down the options on offer at this Grade II-listed Victorian mansion, but we suggest keeping things simple and taking in the incredible, imposing building by taking it in by foot. Seriously, we spent an amazing hour walking through the manicured grounds of the estate which also happens to be home to one of the best arboretums in the country (plus, you’re surrounded by the picturesque rolling hills and chocolate box houses of the Cotswold’s should you fancy venturing further afield), and taking in the grandeur of this place and pretending that we were lord of the manor, at least for an afternoon. Oh, and talking of afternoons, opt in for a quintessential afternoon tea to keep you going before dinner.

The food

De Vere Tortworth Court has four dining options set in some of the original rooms of the Victorian mansion, so expect a serving of old world charm with your food. We ate in the thoroughly British 1853 restaurant, which has a charmingly ornate ‘gents-club’ vibe, full of original gothic dark oak-paneling, filled bookcases and ornate archways - try to bag a window seat for the best views out onto the grounds.

Don’t forget to make a snack stop at the Instagrammable Atrium Bistro, where the 60-foot high glass roof, exposed bricks, atmospheric lighting and jungle-like setting give this bar an incredible secret garden setting, albeit indoors and supremely cozy.

Book now

Guest rooms start from £149 per room per night, with Suites starting from £249 per room per night, based on double occupancy, www.DeVere.com/DeVereTortworthCourt.

De Vere Tortworth Court is just 20 mins outside Bristol.

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