One of the most exciting parts of planning a wedding is picking a honeymoon destination. It is thought that Prince William and Kate Middleton are planning to honeymoon in Britain, following in the footsteps of William’s parents who spent their honeymoon in Hampshire and Scotland. However, with so many idyllic parts of the country to choose from, making that final decision could be overwhelming.
After all those months of organising, preparing and finalising all the details, those first days after the wedding must be relaxing, calm, and above all, romantic. We’ve rounded up a few options for fabulous British honeymoons, which William and Kate might well enjoy after their royal wedding on April 29.
The Isles of Scilly, England
Rumours have been circulating in the British press that the new Royal couple will spend their honeymoon on the Isles of Scilly. William last holidayed there in 1989 with his parents and brother, Harry. The Scillies are located just 28 miles off the Cornish coast in the Atlantic Ocean, so must be accessed by air or sea. This sense of escape, and distance from the mainland, would allow privacy for a couple who will have been so much in the public spotlight in the preceding days.
The Scillies comprise five inhabited and numerous uninhabited islands. Any honeymooning couple can enjoy romantic walks around the stunning scenic islands. To truly enjoy the romance, newlyweds can also discover the islands by boat – enjoying a sail around the uninhabited isles or to see the abundant marine wildlife, including puffins, basking sharks, gannets, and even occasionally whales. For those who prefer to spend time on land, there are ancient monuments to discover, horse riding along the beach, and castles and forts to explore.
The Star Castle Hotel was built during the reign of Elizabeth I to defend the Scillies from invasion, and is, as the name suggests, a star-shaped castle located on the island of St Mary’s. The Castle boasts magnificent views of the sea and Isles from all corners. During spring, rooms costs from £124 per person, on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. For further details see star-castle.co.uk
Isle of Eriska, Scotland
Scotland has long been a favourite romantic location for the Royal Family with many holidays spent at Balmoral, the Queen’s Scottish home, originally purchased by Queen Victoria. If William and Kate wanted to take to Scotland for their honeymoon, they could visit the Isle of Eriska. Eriska is located in the heart of West Argyll, 12 miles north of Oban. During the 10th century, the west coast of Scotland was subject to a surge of Norse invasions, including by Erik the Red, hence the name of the island. The sheer remoteness of the island, along with its breathtaking scenery, means that this is a fabulous honeymoon spot, suitable for a Prince and his bride.
In addition to glorious nature walks and wildlife spotting (the island is home to otters, badgers, deer and sea birds), honeymooners can enjoy golfing, clay pigeon shooting, and windsurfing on and around the island. It is also well situated for exploring the Highlands, including Oban and Fort William. The Isle of Eriska hotel is a 19th century country house that has been converted into a warm hotel complete with spa. Rooms start from £170 per person per night on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. For further information see eriska-hotel.co.uk
The Peak District, England
The Peak District, in the middle of Britain, could offer William and Kate a perfect honeymoon right in the heart of the country. As the area that inspired Jane Austen to write Pride and Prejudice (it is thought that Pemberley is based on Chatsworth House and Bakewell is represented as Lambton in the novel), the region has a fantastically dramatic romantic landscape. The Peak District was named as Britain’s first national park in 1951, and includes welcoming country pubs, original coaching inns and lots of local festivals throughout spring and summer. Nearby Bolsover Castle is also particularly romantic, situated on a hilltop overlooking the Vale of Scarsdale and with the beautiful Venus Garden. The Garden includes secluded love seats, statues, and a fountain – perfect for a peaceful stroll.
The Peacock at Rowsley is a small luxury hotel in the Peak District. Rooms start from £155 for two people on a bed and breakfast basis. For further information see thepeacockatrowsley.com
Mid Wales
If William and Kate choose to stay closer to their current home on Anglesey, they might decide to visit mid Wales on their honeymoon. The region boasts gloriously romantic scenery in the Brecon Beacons National Park, traditional Victorian spa towns, and mountain roads to discover. The Brecon Beacons encompasses 520 sq. miles of natural beauty, including the Black Mountains in the north west and lush green hills in the east – an ideal place to escape and begin married life.
The Lake Country House and Spa is located just north of the Brecon Beacons and offers complete peace and calm. As well as the opportunity to discover the nearby landscape, honeymooners could choose to spend their time within the hotel grounds – enjoying the spa facilities, playing tennis, or even spending quiet time game fishing on the lake or river. Rooms start at £195 per night (based on two people sharing) on a bed and breakfast basis. For further information see lakecountryhouse.co.uk
Norfolk, England
If the newlywed Royal couple want to enjoy their honeymoon just a couple of hours away from their central London wedding, they could opt for Norfolk as their destination. With both the beautiful countryside of the Norfolk Broads, as well as stunning and lesser-known beaches, the county is the ideal spot for a remote honeymoon hideaway. Couples can even enjoy seal-spotting and sailing off the coast.
The Breckland in the middle of the county is a collection of market towns which were established during the medieval past. With plenty of old churches, castles, and abandoned villages to discover, couples can escape into a romantic other-world. Strattons Hotel is situated in Swaffham, one of the Brecks towns. It is a small, secluded hotel, perfect for relaxing after exploring the nearby countryside and coast. Rooms start at £155 per night (for two people) on a bed and breakfast basis. For further information see www.strattonshotel.com
About Jonathan
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Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dreams of traveling to the UK whenever we want a reality.
Hot gossip!!!…I have heard that the royal wedding honeymoon will be in the Seychelles!!!…Check this out http://www.holidaysplease.co.uk/honeymoons/royal-wedding/