The Henry VIII Suite

Two-bedroom apartment • Regal and spacious • Room for four

The Henry VIII Suite

The Henry VIII suite certainly earns its crown as the most extravagant. Equipped with two spacious bedrooms, a king-sized living space and a host of hand-picked luxury furnishings, it's tailor-made for entertaining. Perfect for two couples – even better when friends pop by. Or treat yourself to the whole suite and let Ludlow be your kingdom.

The facilities

· Large living space

· Two bedrooms - one has a super king bed and bathroom with a roll top bath. The other has one king sized bed or twin beds with an ensuite shower.

· Hand-picked antique furniture

· Kitchenette with oven, refrigerator and dishwasher

· Large banqueting island with seating

· Large private bathroom with freestanding bath

· Separate wet room shower

· Television

Luxurious bathroom with a metallic bathtub, decorative wallpaper, and vintage fixtures

The inspiration

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.

Elegant vintage sink setup in a historic bedroom with floral wallpaper, ornate mirrors, and gold fixtures.

The design

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.

Ornate bedroom with a four-poster bed, colorful patterned drapes, red lamps and a unique headboard

The crowning feature

In Henry's world, every feature is a crowning feature. This isn't just a room fit for a king – it's a room fit for the king. Even the bathroom hides a regal surprise or two.

But in a suite full of eye-catching curiosities, the bed is perhaps the biggest show-off. It's a four-poster tour de force, swathed with luxuriant sheets and painted a startlingly rich red. Super king-sized, too, of course. You can just imagine Henry dreaming of banquets, battles and brides-to-be.