Weekend with the Royals
In honour of the Coronation, if you fancy a royal getaway, how about a holiday on one of the royal estates? Or a mini-break in the King’s Welsh holiday-home and the Prince of Wales’ Cornish properties?
This month, I rounded up my pick of the palaces for Escape.com.au - here’s an extract:
Sandringham Estate, Norfolk
The King now owns Sandringham - the private Norfolk estate where the Royal Family traditionally spends Christmas. The house and gardens are open in the summer, but you can visit and stay on the estate all year round. I love The Victorian Appleton Water Tower from The Landmark Trust. Originally built to supply the estate with clean water, it has been converted into a two-bed holiday house.
Visit landmarktrust.org.uk; sandringhamestate.co.uk
Duchy of Cornwall cottages, Cornwall and Scilly Isles
The huge land and property estate that is the Duchy of Cornwall, was inherited by Prince William when Charles acceded the throne. It includes many houses which are rented as high-end holiday homes, in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. They are all beautifully-furnished. I like the look of the cottages on Restormel estate in Fowey and Steval, above, on the Isles of Scilly.
Visit duchyofcornwallholidaycottages.co.uk
Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire
The late Queen loved Balmoral and it was here where she passed away last September. Built for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1856, the grounds are open to the public in the summer, but you can stay longer, in one of its many self-catering holiday cottages near the castle and around the estate.
Visit balmoralcastle.com
The Castle of Mey, Caithness
The Queen Mother had her own Scottish getaway, The Castle of Mey, which she visited every summer. The house is open in the summer, but also has a lovely holiday house. The Captain’s House, is a three-bed home, with striking sea views.
Visit castleofmey.org.uk
Llwynywermod, Carmarthenshire
The King bought his farmhouse Llwynywermod, in Myddfai, Carmarthenshire, in 2007. Incredibly, you can actually stay there - in one of its two adjoining holiday cottages. North Range and West Range are beautiful sustainable homes, with luxe-chic interiors.
Visit duchyofcornwallholidaycottages.co.uk
Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh
I’d love to tour the Royal Yacht Britannia and even better, stay on/near it. If you have ever wondered what it was like on board the royal yacht, you can take a tour of it as it celebrates its 70th anniversary. Moored in Edinburgh, you can also experience what it was like to sleep there, in its luxury floating hotel, Fingal, which has 22 cabins.