Right now a (Mini-moon) Honeymoon in the UK sounds like an amazing way to celebrate your big day & a lot less hassle than arranging a honeymoon abroad during Covid-19.
Photo by Max Ducourneau
Sometimes after the wedding of your dreams, it’s just not possible to go on a lavish honeymoon too - certainly not during a pandemic. But don’t panic – you can have a fabulous stay-cation at home. We’ve rounded up the most amazing and unusual destinations to (mini-moon) honeymoon in the UK.
Staying in the UK at the moment has many real world advantages over taking a honeymoon abroad during Covid-19. Firstly, destinations like Spain, Italy and Portugal may be opening up their tourist hot spots, but they are not quite as they were... Expect long lines of sunbathers waiting to enter the beaches due to the restrictions on spacing, many attractions simply not open and clubs not to be welcoming dancing on their dance-floors but sit down drinks listening to a DJ behind a screen. Honeymoons and holidays are going to look a little different for the time being but beyond that, from this week (10/06/20) you will need to quarantine at home for 2 weeks upon your return - a reality that is just not possible for many working people. However, don't dwell on the doom and gloom of it all and just put your big trip abroad on pause and take a (min-moon) honeymoon in the UK.
By choosing to leaving your passport at home you'll be able to rediscover just how beautiful this country actually is, especially during Summer! Not only that, you'll be doing your bit to support the local tourism industry which has been so sorely hit during the pandemic. All of those gorgeous pubs and cafés along the coasts and rivers of the UK will be opening their doors again soon, and they'll need you to fill up their sunny gardens and drink their wine!
Forget the Maldives and St. Lucia, the UK is the place to head for the ultimate jaw-droppingly beautiful honeymoon. Whether exploring the rugged wilds of the Scottish Highlands or losing yourself in the winding lanes of a pretty coastal village, it’s all right here on our doorstep and waiting to be discovered.
Lake District
When it comes to breath-taking scenery, the Lake District in Cumbria seriously delivers. Recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, England’s biggest national park is famous for towering mountains, vast lakes, pretty stone cottages and stunning landscape, which have inspired writers and poets for centuries. It’s hard not to be taken in by the romance of the area, whether hiking up fells, taking in the sights from a steamboat on one of the lakes or cosying up in front of a roaring fire at a traditional pub.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to spend your honeymoon in the Lake District, take a look at the glamorous & contemporary Dafodil Hotel!
Photo by Gary Butterfield
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds were made for romantic getaways, with charming chocolate-box villages, rolling green hills and an excellent foodie reputation. Named as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the South of England, it’s a dream come true for newly-weds. Hike, bike, pack a picnic, and spend a day exploring the picturesque villages and quiet countryside. Dormy House, on the edge of Broadway, is a real gem of a hotel with a dreamy spa and an incredible restaurant in which to indulge.
Photo by Yifan Liu
Scottish Highlands
There’s something magical about the Scottish Highlands. The epic landscape of majestic mountains, spectacular lochs and waterfalls, ancient castle ruins and colourful heather is everywhere you turn. Adrenaline-junkie newly-weds will find plenty to do here, including mountain biking and white-water rafting. If you’re after a more chilled honeymoon, take a walk through the awe-inspiring scenery, visit some of the most beautiful castles in the world, and then settle down for some of the best food and drink Scotland has to offer. For a unique honeymoon in the UK experience, stay at The Duck’s Nest, a cosy ecolodge in Cairngorms National Park.
Photo by Connor Mollison
Badger’s Bower, Buckinghamshire
This handmade tabernacle is situated on the edge of an ancient forest, surrounded by bluebells and passing badgers. If you’re looking for a cosy getaway for your (mini-moon) honeymoon in the UK, Badger’s Bower could be ideal. It’s just an hour from London, but once you close the huge church doors behind you, you’re in a world of your own.
There’s a double-ended bath, which offers beautiful views of the private woodlands, and you can cook dinner over the fire pit, which can be eaten outdoors under the stars. Bed down for the night in the king-size captain’s bed, taking in the soothing sound of the stream nearby.
Brook House Hobbit Hut, Herefordshire
Fans of the Hobbit will relish the chance to spend their mini-moon at the Brook House Hobbit Hut, a cosy, handcrafted cabin in Herefordshire. Whilst it may appear small, the hut has a king-size bed and a wood burner inside, as well as a private fire pit and seating outside.
You can cook over the open fire, or make pizzas in the cob barrel oven, before enjoying tasting sessions of local tipples at the honesty bar. It’s a truly rustic escape that will get you back to nature.
Isles of Scilly
Although the Isles of Scilly are just off the coast of Cornwall, they feel a world away. Uncrowded, unspoilt and with an enviable laid-back way of life, head there to really get away from it all with your new Mr or Mrs. The five inhabited islands each have their own vibe, from the subtropical charm of Tresco, to the untamed beauty of St. Agnes. Stay at Hell Bay (nicer than it sounds!), a luxurious hotel tucked away in a secluded cove on the ruggedly beautiful island of Bryher.
Photo by Annie Spratt
Devon
If it’s beaches you’re after, head to Devon for everything from long, sandy stretches to secluded pebble coves. Packing in two stunning coastlines, two national parks and five official Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you definitely won’t be stuck twiddling your thumbs for things to do. Explore the many little hidden villages along the coast, and then relax in a country pub with some tasty food and a pint of local ale.
Book into the unbelievably romantic Tree Top Escape on Millbrook Estate. Your inner-kid will love you for it!
Photo by Sam Healey
Pembrokeshire
In south-west Wales, you’ll find Pembrokeshire, a county packed with award-winning beaches, glorious coastline and Victorian seaside towns. Enjoy a bracing cliff-top walk with staggering views out to sea, lose yourself in the history of Carew Castle or just sit and watch the world go by with an ice cream at Tenby Harbour. Penally Abbey, with its stylish coastal vibe, makes the perfect base to explore the area.
Photo by Beata Mitręga
We hope we have inspired you to consider a (mini-moon) honeymoon in the UK! Right now of course we don't advise travelling to any of these locations until the government has given the green light. Confetti and Curves and our sister shop Brides & Bustles will be re-opening on the 15th of June as part of the next wave of easing in this country. We will be welcoming brides to both shops in the safest way possible, using all the precautions at our disposal to ensure you find your dream wedding dress, safely. Following on from this date and into July we're sure we'll see pubs, restaurants and hotels returning to some sort of normality - it's then that they'll need our support the most. So if you've found a hotel for a (mini-moon) honeymoon in the UK get in touch now and see if you can make a reservation or be put on a list to be contacted when they re-open. You never know you may get an amazing deal on a staycation!