The additional early-May bank holiday on Monday 8th created by the coronation of King Charles III is a great time to sneak in a weekend away with the family. We’ve rounded up some great deals in some of our favourite hotels around the UK that still have some availability.
This is one of our top picks for a UK city break, on Princes Street within walking distance of the major sights, some of them UNESCO-listed, including the Royal Mile and the Old Town. An Edinburgh icon since 1903 (it was originally a train station), today it combines modern luxury, Victorian style and castle views. The spa with its indoor pool mustn't be missed, and there’s fabulous on-site cuisine including fine dining at The Pompadour with its seven-course tasting menu.
Built in 1625 as a hunting lodge for the Dukes of Perth, this family-run historic house really does take the breath away. It's in one of the loveliest areas of Scotland, the Trossachs and Loch Lomond National Park, within its own gardens and woodland on the banks of the Teith. There are just 15 rooms, so it feels like a true escape from the world, and there's superb food both in its elegant dining room and its Garden Bistro in an old potting shed. Local activities include golf, hiking, cycling, canoeing, fishing and pony trekking.
The views over the Mawddach estuary and Barmouth bay from this Victorian stone property are spectacular. Having just 14 rooms gives it a cosy feel, asdoes the muted modern decor. There’s a lounge bar and gardens for drinks, and breakfasts are full Welsh versions – vegetarian where preferred. Barmouth is on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, so this is a great option for those who like to get out walking on the coast or in the mountains - or a bit of both.
For us, this is the essence of an English county-house hotel: a 130-acre estate with a golf course, croquet lawn, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, activities such as clay-pigeon shooting and falconry, and cookery school. On the menu is everything from fine dining to classic afternoon teas, while the spa features an airy indoor pool, hydrotherapy pool, aromatherapy saunas and light, healthy cuisine. You’re 10 minutes from the the New Forest with its wild ponies and within just a mile of the coast.
In the original grounds of Highcliffe Castle between the New Forest and the coast, this boutique option – once home to Lord Bute, PM of England from 1762 to 1763 – includes unique elements including 18th-century entrance lodges. Afternoon teas here are a must ,while the restaurant is award-winning for its fusion of traditional and modern cuisine using seasonal local ingredients.
For more information or to book, or for more inspiration for the extra bank-holiday weekend, call your Travel Counsellor today.
Aruba beckons with its serene beauty, making it an irresistible choice for those seeking a luxurious tropical getaway. Aruba boasts award-winning, uncrowded, white-sand beaches that promise a slice of paradise where you can unwind to your heart's content. With guaranteed sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and stunning architecture, Aruba is a gem waiting to be discovered.
The personal experiences of our Travel Counsellors, together with their combined insider knowledge of hotels, resorts, and destinations, ensure that they can hand-pick the very best holidays for your needs.
Continuing the pioneering spirit of the innovative, award-winning Virgin Voyages cruises, Brilliant Lady is set to cross the United States in her highly anticipated 2025 debut season. Highlights among the once-in-a-lifetime five- to 16-night journeys will include a voyage through the Panama Canal and a trip through the glaciers and fjords of Alaska.
