While his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, was certainly familiar with Castle Lodge, it's not clear whether England's most notorious monarch ever walked these floors. Nonetheless, just as he left an indelible mark on the church and state, Henry VIII's actions changed Ludlow forever.

Until Henry's reign, Ludlow had spent a prosperous few decades as the seat of the Council of the Marches. This made it the de facto capital of Wales. But with his Laws in Wales Acts of 1535 and 1543, Henry effectively unified England and its neighbour.

Thus began Ludlow's slow fall from grace. By 1700, the Council of the Marches had been wound up, Ludlow Castle had been abandoned and the town had lost its national importance.

Henry VIII was famous for many things – but restraint was not one of them. And so, in creating Henry's suite, designer Libby Lord kept one simple question in mind. If Henry were alive today, what kind of décor would this noted pleasure-seeker plump for?

The result is nothing short of a private palace. Tudor roses trail across the walls and down the drapes. Velvet and gold speak of time-honoured opulence, while pops of bright red and lacquer demand attention like puckered lips. In the living room, a banqueting table fit for regal feasts. In the shower room, fluted columns fit for Caesar himself.

It's a celebration of Tudor excess with just a splash of modern splendour. Very Henry.