Many people wouldn’t put “luxury” in the same sentence as “the UK,” but it has a lot more to offer than you might think. Here’s our low-down on the places to go in the UK if you’re in search of the finer things of life.
London: SOHO, Chelsea and Kensington
It wouldn’t be right to have a list of UK luxury hotspots without mentioning a few of London’s most affluent areas.
SOHO is the perfect place for some retail therapy, with many of the well-known upmarket brands located on Regent Street. Charing Cross Road is home to many specialist bookshops, while Liberty of London, a Tudor-style luxury department store, is an excellent place to shop for gifts.
Chelsea is another location to see. It’s also a pleasant shopping location, you can also enjoy some peace and quiet in the Chelsea Physic Garden, London’s oldest botanical garden. The Ranelagh Gardens at the Royal Hospital is an equally peaceful but perhaps less well-known spot.
A trip to Kensington should also be on your list. It guarantees you a lovely walk through Kensington Gardens and you can combine this with a trip to the Royal Albert Hall, where world-class artists perform.
For an additional splash of luxury, consider getting insured to drive a campervan. This way, you can appreciate the views even more on your travels around the UK.
Burgh Island, Devon
Burgh Island inspired the imaginations of writer Agatha Christie and the playwright Noel Coward.
It is separated from the mainland only by a tidal passageway, which happens to be an ideal spot for a beach day.
The island’s history is shrouded in mystery. The remains of an old chapel called Huer’s Hut can be found and the 14th-century Pilchard Inn still serves up some wonderful cuisine (and it’s rumored to be haunted by an infamous smuggler).
For the most relaxing experience, stay at the Burgh Island Hotel, a luxury art deco hotel that has one-of-a-kind rooms nodding to various episodes in the island’s history.
St Ives, Cornwall
In St Ives, “Cornwall’s Crown”, you can take your pick of luxury hotels and holiday cottages to chill out in. During the day, there’s plenty to do beside the idyllic turquoise waters.
Porthmeor Beach is a surfing hotspot and it’s a great place to learn, as the waves there aren’t usually too large. There’s a surfing school there which runs lessons daily.
There are three other beaches to enjoy in St Ives, the 22-acre Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens and Tate St Ives, the second Tate opened outside London.
The historical and natural landscape of St Ives is worth taking some time to see. The “crick stone”, otherwise known as Mên-an-Tol, is a formation of standing stones from either the Neolithic or early Bronze Age.
A boat trip to Seal Island is also well worth it for animal lovers!
Edinburgh
Moving quite some way up north, Edinburgh is another location that promises an abundance of interesting sites to see and plenty of ways to relax.
It’s home to the Scottish National Gallery, Holyrood Palace and the Royal Mile. If you take a short trip to Leith, you can also have a look around the retired Royal Yacht Britannia.
It’s also the place to be if you want to enjoy a fine dining experience, with five Michelin-starred restaurants and many others that are exceptional.
Though these are some of the UK’s most lavish destinations, there are many more to explore as well! Why not plan your next getaway today?
