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Planning a relaxing mini-moon? Check out these UK wonders
The Retreat at Elcot Park | West Berkshire, UK
Best for those wanting a humble countryside escape
Housed in a Grade II-listed 18th-century picturesque country house overlooking the beautiful Wessex Downs, The Retreat at Elcot Park offers fun-infused escapism. Filled with informal, playful twists inspired by both the history and location of the property, the hotel is a place where couples will feel instantly welcomed and at ease. The Retreat will is a destination in its own right, a place where couples can see, try and eat new things. hot air balloon rides, a pan-Asian restaurant, tennis courts, an outdoor pool and the chance to explore the beautiful North Wessex Downs (home to Britain's largest display of wild purple crocuses and where Richard Adams's colony of rabbits can be found!) and the magnificent Highclere castle amongst so much more awaits discovery!
Perfect for couples are the spectacularly elegant suites which boast freestanding baths overlooking the gardens, elegant and expressive décor and inviting four-poster beds. The rooms are also equally characterful and comfortable and all have plenty of space. With stunning views of the Kennet Valley, delicious culinary offerings, a luxurious spa and Health Club and close to various famous sites, the property is ideally situated for couples looking to enjoy both country pursuits and culture alike.
Rooms from £180 (B&B)
Best for those wanting a humble countryside escape
Housed in a Grade II-listed 18th-century picturesque country house overlooking the beautiful Wessex Downs, The Retreat at Elcot Park offers fun-infused escapism. Filled with informal, playful twists inspired by both the history and location of the property, the hotel is a place where couples will feel instantly welcomed and at ease. The Retreat will is a destination in its own right, a place where couples can see, try and eat new things. hot air balloon rides, a pan-Asian restaurant, tennis courts, an outdoor pool and the chance to explore the beautiful North Wessex Downs (home to Britain's largest display of wild purple crocuses and where Richard Adams's colony of rabbits can be found!) and the magnificent Highclere castle amongst so much more awaits discovery!
Perfect for couples are the spectacularly elegant suites which boast freestanding baths overlooking the gardens, elegant and expressive décor and inviting four-poster beds. The rooms are also equally characterful and comfortable and all have plenty of space. With stunning views of the Kennet Valley, delicious culinary offerings, a luxurious spa and Health Club and close to various famous sites, the property is ideally situated for couples looking to enjoy both country pursuits and culture alike.
Rooms from £180 (B&B)
The Mitre I Hampton Court
Best for jolly hospitality close to London
Escape to this peaceful riverside boutique hotel and let the friendly team welcome you for a mini-moon with the warmest of hospitality. Look forward to sleeping in one of the individually designed bedrooms or suites, think country house meets the joy and colour of Britain’s boating tradition, drinking bottles of champagne or whispering angel from the world’s first stand-alone Whispering Angel bar and eating scrumptious dinners and breakfasts (food & beverage taking pride of place at The Mitre).
Breakfast/ brunch can be enjoyed in CopperNose, a vibrant, stylish yet relaxed venue which offers panoramic views of the River Thames. Sample dishes include paprika spiced chorizo shakshuka, eggs royale and rosemary chips and Clarence Court scrambled eggs served with cured Scottish salmon and chopped chives. Whilst dinner is served in 1665, the property’s stunning all-day riverside brasserie which boasts a central bar, wine room, open kitchen, and beautiful riverside terrace on the Thames.
Step out the door and Hampton Court Palace, Kew Garden’s outstanding botanical collection, Richmond’s rambling wilderness and so much more is right around the corner or simply spend the time enjoying a break at the hotel.
Rooms from £150 (B&B)
Best for jolly hospitality close to London
Escape to this peaceful riverside boutique hotel and let the friendly team welcome you for a mini-moon with the warmest of hospitality. Look forward to sleeping in one of the individually designed bedrooms or suites, think country house meets the joy and colour of Britain’s boating tradition, drinking bottles of champagne or whispering angel from the world’s first stand-alone Whispering Angel bar and eating scrumptious dinners and breakfasts (food & beverage taking pride of place at The Mitre).
Breakfast/ brunch can be enjoyed in CopperNose, a vibrant, stylish yet relaxed venue which offers panoramic views of the River Thames. Sample dishes include paprika spiced chorizo shakshuka, eggs royale and rosemary chips and Clarence Court scrambled eggs served with cured Scottish salmon and chopped chives. Whilst dinner is served in 1665, the property’s stunning all-day riverside brasserie which boasts a central bar, wine room, open kitchen, and beautiful riverside terrace on the Thames.
Step out the door and Hampton Court Palace, Kew Garden’s outstanding botanical collection, Richmond’s rambling wilderness and so much more is right around the corner or simply spend the time enjoying a break at the hotel.
Rooms from £150 (B&B)
Chewton Glen I Hampshire, UK
Best for couples who love to cook
In the heart of a fabled forest, just minutes from the coast, Chewton Glen is a true English original. Not only a fine 18th-century country house hotel and spa, but also a place to touch the skies, in bespoke treehouses fusing harmony with nature.
Book one of the famed Treehouse Suites and enjoy a romantic escape 35 f.t above ground. Spend the night stargazing in the treetops, soaking in an outdoor hot tub or sipping speciality wines in front of the fire. Indulge in tree-room service, chef-prepared dinners and private spa treatments (skilled therapists will transform the suite into a peaceful spa!).
Days can then be spent refining cooking skills and learning expert tips and tricks from British celebrity chef James Martin at The Kitchen. Newlyweds can enjoy a diverse and wide range of courses from entertaining, touching up on basics, creating the perfect pad Thai, making pasta from scratch, having a Mexican fiesta, mastering a Hampshire trout and more.
Additionally, with golf, tennis, an award-winning spa, gym, pool, and endless New Forest and coastal walks, there is plenty here to divert you. The hotel is also renowned for its child-friendly nature and couples are also more than encouraged to bring along a little one.
Rooms from £355
Best for couples who love to cook
In the heart of a fabled forest, just minutes from the coast, Chewton Glen is a true English original. Not only a fine 18th-century country house hotel and spa, but also a place to touch the skies, in bespoke treehouses fusing harmony with nature.
Book one of the famed Treehouse Suites and enjoy a romantic escape 35 f.t above ground. Spend the night stargazing in the treetops, soaking in an outdoor hot tub or sipping speciality wines in front of the fire. Indulge in tree-room service, chef-prepared dinners and private spa treatments (skilled therapists will transform the suite into a peaceful spa!).
Days can then be spent refining cooking skills and learning expert tips and tricks from British celebrity chef James Martin at The Kitchen. Newlyweds can enjoy a diverse and wide range of courses from entertaining, touching up on basics, creating the perfect pad Thai, making pasta from scratch, having a Mexican fiesta, mastering a Hampshire trout and more.
Additionally, with golf, tennis, an award-winning spa, gym, pool, and endless New Forest and coastal walks, there is plenty here to divert you. The hotel is also renowned for its child-friendly nature and couples are also more than encouraged to bring along a little one.
Rooms from £355
Cliveden House I Berkshire, U.K
Best for lovers of history
A storied Relais & Châteaux hotel dating back to the 17th century, Cliveden House creates an enchanting setting for mini-moons that are simply ripped from the pages of a fairytale. This dramatically beautiful property is made for experiences for a lifetime, with great accommodations for couples to stay over in luxury.
Stay in the Spring Cottage, perfect for an indulgent and romantic hideaway set on the banks of the River Thames and offering a superb living space and private gardens for the utmost privacy and escapism. Or in the house, turn your mini-moon into a royal affair in one of the stunning Mansion House Parterre Suites. Here, celebrate with a romantic five-star dinner at the award-winning André Garrett restaurant, an indulgent spa day in the brand new Cliveden Spa, or by exploring the lush grounds of the National Trust and start your marriage out right with nothing less than the utmost British glamour.
Rooms from £505
Foxhill Manor | Cotswolds UK
Best for a countryside couples retreat
Nestled upon Fish Hill within an intimate Grade II listed arts and crafts country home, Foxhill Manor epitomises personalised luxury. Adopting a ‘private manor-house hotel’ ethos with a ‘whatever you fancy, wherever you fancy it’ motto, this newly-renovated hotel offers newly-weds the perfect home-away-from-home retreat, with everything they desire at their fingertips, so they can sit back and bask in marital bliss.
There is no restaurant, instead the chef will come and sit with couples each day, and take their request for dinner, offering advice on the best seasonal ingredients to create the perfect romantic dining experience. Couples then pick their own dining spot around the house. The landings are dotted with pantries complete with retro Smeg fridges filled with refreshments, and alcohol is available from the drinks trolleys, bars and wine fridges that are found throughout the manor house.
What’s more, the outdoor hot tub on the deck gives couples the opportunity to enjoy one another’s company under a canopy of stars, surrounded by the nature that so abundantly thrives on the estate. And, the most in-demand suite for honeymooners, Oak, epitomises romance. Featuring twin freestanding baths, with views across the beautiful chocolate-box Cotswold countryside, a four poster bed and separate living area, it is perfectly suited to couples seeking privacy.
Rates from £599 per room on a B&B basis and £795 per room on a full board basis, both based on two people sharing
Dormy House Hotel & Spa | Cotswolds, UK
Best for an elegant yet fun country house hotel stay
Perched high above the picturesque village of Broadway, within the 400-acre Farncombe Estate, lies 17th-century farmhouse hotel, Dormy House. Think: cosy corners and log fires, two exquisite dining spaces, an intimate bar, and sumptuous spa - all of which make Dormy House the perfect rural retreat for newly-weds. With traditional rooms in the main Farmhouse and more secluded rooms in the Courtyard and Rose Cottage, all individually designed in an array of splendid colours, elegant fabrics and opulent patterns, and some even boasting private hot tubs.
For couples seeking an intimate meal, MO, the interactive 12-seat chef’s table restaurant, boldly putting Dormy House on The Cotswolds food map, offers eight-course tasting experiences of locally-sourced, naturally-inspired ingredients. With chefs and a sommelier guiding diners through each innovative, considerate course, couples can leave Dormy content that they have had a true taste of The Cotswolds.
A perfect haven can be found at The House Spa - complete with indoor infinity pool, outdoor hot tub, salt steam room, and lavender and juniper saunas, couples can enjoy TempleSpa treatments and sit back together in blissful relaxation. What’s more, couples are encouraged to bond over the array of activities on offer across the estate, including hovercrafting, axe-throwing, clay shooting, archery, falconry and yoga.
Rates from £309, for a double room.
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Adare Manor | County Limerick, Ireland
Best for active honeymooners
Embark on a magical adventure this coming autumn with Adare Manor’s new two-night Activity Experience. Choose your own adventure from a wondrous list of estate activities including, archery, falconry, fishing, horse riding and many more! Enjoy two nights of comfort and relaxation in the peace of the Irish countryside. While staying in one of the delightful guest rooms, you will also experience a delectable and elegant breakfast each morning in the magnificent Gallery.
Adare Manor is a spellbinding 19th-century castle hotel located in the charming Adare Village in the lush greens of Ireland. Steeped in glamour and romance, the property recently reopened after one of the most extensive renovations of its kind in Ireland. With a romantic backdrop for newlyweds, who can live like royalty in their very own castle estate, there are activities to enjoy for every type of honeymooner - from foodies to adventurers. Enjoy the state-of-the-art spa by 111SKIN (UK/Ireland’s first and only 111SKIN Spa), championship golf course (re-designed by the famed Tom Fazio), The Padel Club (state of the art wellness and sporting facility) and four exceptional culinary destinations. Opt for outdoor pursuits like Falconry, Archery, and Clay Shooting on the reimagined 842-acre estate (the size of Central Park!) or fishing on the famed River Maigue.
Rooms from £716
