Royals have been falling in love with the Cotswolds for centuries and with stunning countryside and beautiful towns and villages to explore it’s not hard to see why. So with rumours rife that Prince Harry and his soon-to-be wife Meghan Markle are looking to set up home here, why not follow in their footsteps and treat yourself to a right royal break in the Cotswolds? If it’s good enough for royalty – it’s good enough for you!
The country home of HRH The Prince of Wales and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall is tucked away near the Cotswold market town of Tetbury and gives visitors a wonderful chance to see the amazing gardens Princes William and Harry grew up in. Highgrove Gardens are the product of our future king’s imagination and demonstrate Prince Charles’s belief in sustainable methods, encouraging both plants and wildlife to thrive. With interlinked spaces weaving magically around the house, they’re a royal must-see in the Cotswolds.
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The Lygon Arms’ history has been linked to iconic royal names including King Edward VII – and even with members of today’s royal family too and is a wonderful place to celebrate the momentous royal wedding. An English Garden Party on Saturday 19th May includes a jazz band, Pimms, afternoon tea and prosecco for £45 per person, while The Royal Weekend Stay includes a 2-night stay in a royal suite, champagne, afternoon tea on the lawn (or delivered to your room by the butler!), a manicure and pedicure or massage, croquet and evening meals.
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Celebrated Cotswold furniture makers Gordon Russell have an amazing royal pedigree! They were awarded the Royal Warrant in 1938, and again in 1961 and count among their commissions one from Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. The company also created an occasional table displaying a map of the D-Day landings, which was presented to President Eisenhower during a state visit to the USA in 1957. For his award-winning furniture and contribution to design, Gordon Russell was knighted in 1955 and the museum, dedicated to his life and work is housed in the original Grade II listed workshop in Broadway.
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You can follow a string of royals if you book onto The Carter Company’s gentle cycling 'Shakespeare Country and the Cotswolds' seven night tour. It takes you from Oxford, where three monarchs were students, to Blenheim Palace – location of the Royal School of Butlers. In Bledington spend the night at the local where William and Kate dropped by and enjoy a Royal Shakespeare Company production in Stratford upon Avon!
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Home to our future king, Highgrove Gardens have been delighting garden lovers for years and the Highgrove Garden Tour package at the gorgeous Hare & Hounds is the perfect way to explore them and enjoy an overnight stay. Discover how the Prince of Wales has transformed the estate over the past 30 years into some of the most inspirational gardens in the UK. Explore the places where Princes William and Harry grew up – and where Prince George and Princess Charlotte play today - led by His Royal Highness’ guides.
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There are plenty of royals on display at the Fashion Museum in Bath until the end of April – or certainly their clothing! The ‘Royal Women’ exhibition features a ‘family tree’ of clothes worn by five generations of royals. As well as examining their sartorial lives, the exhibition will feature the unique style of the last five generations of royals including Her Majesty the Queen.
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Sudeley Castle near picturesque Broadway has played a hugely important role in England’s history – boasting royal connections that date back over 1,000 years! Walk in the footsteps of Richard III, Elizabeth I and Lady Jane Grey and visit the tomb of Katherine Parr – the last of Henry VIII’s six wives who lived and died in the castle. With stunning Cotswold gardens, beautiful exhibitions, a pheasantry and adventure playground – it’s a right royal day out!
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The British Motor Museum, in Gaydon, Warwickshire is home to a number royal vehicles on permanent display. They include the first bespoke Royal Land Rover State Review car - one of the fleet of vehicles which accompanied the HM Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on their first Commonwealth Tour in 1954. You can also view its successor – a 1974 Range Rover whose bespoke royal adaptations include no roof, a pull-out support for when the royal party was standing and a lectern with two umbrellas concealed inside it ready for the British weather!
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A right royal welcome awaits visitors to Gloucester Cathedral – one or the finest medieval buildings in the country and the jewel in Gloucester’s crown! It’s home to the tomb of King Edward II who was buried there in 1327, the stunning stained glass window depicting the coronation of nine year old King Henry III in 1216 and the silver coronation cross used at the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1953! It’s also featured in a number of royal films and documentaries such as Wolf Hall, the Hollow Crown and The White Princess.
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Berkeley Castle is the perfect place to walk in the footsteps of kings and queens of old. King Henry VIII visited with Anne Boleyn on their summer progress during 1535 – and he’s back this May and August strolling around the castle and gardens with all six of his wives at once! These special days give visitors the chance to find out how each wife fell out of favour with the king – and what happened to them as a result!
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