There’s a lot to be said for the humble honeymoon staycation! You and your new hubs can smooth over your wedding budget splurge by staying home and enjoying some of the finer parts of your very own country. The UK has some truly beautiful spots to explore… OK, so we might not have sun, sea and sand on tap, but, with a little imagination and a tank full of petrol, you can experience a cheaper, more convenient and memorable honeymoon in the UK – I’ve got some top British staycation ideas for you.
With so many gems to discover, where do you start? From the amazing shops, quirky markets, rich culture and wonderful history of our capital city, to the wild and rugged beauty of Scotland’s Highlands, we’ve searched out a few of our fave British destinations to help inspire you.
You can forget about airport delays – just jump in the car and let the adventure begin!
Culture and City Life – London
Image by Inspirato
Shoreditch
The Hoxton hotel is planted in one of London’s trendiest and most hipster hotspots – Shoreditch. If you love independent and alternative shops and eateries, then this hotel is the one for you. It offers a delicious dining experience, contemporary rooms and a cosy vibe as well as a lively cocktail bar in the evenings.
Shoreditch has so much to offer as a ‘staycation’ style break – great bars, galleries, and some of London’s best charity shops! From ‘The Hox’, you can get access to the city centre pretty easily. Just a few tube stops away and you will be at the gleaming tourist attractions and well-known sight-seeing spots.
If a chic, cultural staycation is your idea of heaven, then this is the place for you.
Image by The Hoxton
Image by The Hoxton
Portobello
Portobello Market in Notting Hill is probably the best known street market in the world! It has such a buzz and excitement and is visited by heaps of tourists every single week. The locals are warm and friendly and the vibe is uber cool. Notting Hill is a fab place to go for a stroll and enjoy a taste of London life. It has style, celebs and a beautiful array of quirky coloured houses, old fashioned pubs and pebbled streets. It’s certainly a romantic place to visit for a pair of newly weds!
Image by Love Space
Camden
Camden is a place for everyone! And such a fun place to explore! The streets are lined with punks, rockers, 9-5er’s, hipsters and the latest fashions – it’s one big melting pot of everything and anything and definitely a great place to experience as part of your London staycation. As long as you are open to something a little different!
Be sure to check out Fest in Camden Market; an all-day, all-year round former horse hospital party venue! Great for a couple’s street food lunch and glass of evening prosecco!
Image by BU Study Abroad
Adventure and Outdoors – Scottish Highlands
Image by Historic UK
Durness
The Scottish Highlands has some of the most breathtakingly beautiful nature spots in the UK. Mountain walks, adventurous and picturesque rocky terrains and stunning loch views – this is just some of what the highlands can offer you for your staycation. You can enjoy the clear blue ocean from one of it’s many coastal gems – Balnakeil Beach in Durness is just one that’s worth a visit. And if you’re looking for a retreat style staycation where you can enjoy a mix of the open outdoors (walks, treks and views!) and relaxation (beaches, food and luxury) then Mackay’s boutique B&B might be the perfect place to settle for a week or even a long weekend. It really is the most idyllic setting to explore, unwind and escape the daily stresses of life!
Image by Welcome to Scotland
Countryside and Beaches – Cornwall
Image by Telegraph
St Ives
St Ives is an idyllic honeymoon setting in Cornwall. It has white sandy beaches, pretty pebbled back streets and a great selection of boutique shops… not to mention scrummy fresh seafood! It’s one of Cornwall’s most popular and most visited towns and it offers a perfect romantic setting fit for a pair of newly weds!
Image by Quazoo
St Austell
Another great Cornish honeymoon destination is Lower Barns in St Austell. It is a boutique and super quirky hotel and spa venue with seriously chic, bohemian décor with a luxe retreat feel. Close to the sea and in walking distance of the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the SW coast path, Lower Barns offers a magical and utterly romantic weekend getaway. It’s a great place to indulge and celebrate your honeymoon… so dreamy. (And they also host weddings!)
Image by Lower Barns
Scenery and Lakes – The Lake District
Image by Grasmere Village
Brimstone, Cumbria
The Brimstone Hotel on the Langdale Estate is a quirky version of the Lake District’s traditional luxury hotel. It offers pure indulgence, roaring fires, spa bathrooms, private balconies and a relaxed reading lounge with ‘to-die-for’ Lakeland views. Romance is most certainly golden here….
Image by Image Whiz
Lake Windermere, Lake District
Charming and overwhelmingly romantic is Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake. You can take a Windermere Cruise along the winding waters and settle yourself at the stunning Gilpin Hotel and Lake House. This beautiful hotel features a ton of romantic delights including an indoor floodlit pool and sauna, a hot tub on the terrace, deck chairs surrounded by warm and glowy outdoor heaters and heaps of private corners for intimate moments.
Image by Telegraph
These are just a few of the gorge places that some of my couples are flocking to for their 2019 honeymoon. With so many delightful destinations right on our doorstep, you don’t need to abandon British soil to celebrate becoming Mr and Mrs. We can support our local economy, soak up our own heritage and explore parts of our glorious country that we never even knew existed!
Photography Credits: BU Study Abroad | FEST | Telegraph | The Hoxton | Inspirato | Love Space | Lower Barns | London in Four Months | Sykes Cottages | Grasmere Village | Image Whiz | Quazoo | Historic UK
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Please email any hellos or enquiries to laura@devinebride.co.uk
