Great British BeInspired
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ROMANCE
Ellie Pipe finds local honeymoon destinations to be just her cup of tea.
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f you spent childhood holidays watching the rain from the confines of a cramped caravan in some godforsaken English holiday ‘hotspot’, then you can be forgiven for having the UK pretty low down your list of top honeymoon destinations. But while the weather will never be a guarantee, the UK has come a long way from the days when soggy fish and chips were a holiday highlight, and there are now many very good reasons for choosing to honeymoon at home. One great reason to stay local is the cost. The pressure of paying for a wedding is often enough without adding to the financial burden with an expensive honeymoon abroad. There’s also convenience: no lengthy check-in queues, transfers or jet lag - just hit the road and start your honeymoon straight away. If you do have your heart set on a long exotic holiday of a lifetime, jetting off straight after the wedding may not be possible or practical. The mini-
moon is therefore an increasingly popular option, giving couples a short break away together if the main honeymoon is set for a later date. Some couples prefer to minimise their carbon footprint, others want to take the dog and some just want to take the opportunity to see more of their home turf. Whatever your reasons, you still want your honeymoon to be special, so take a whirlwind tour of just some examples of the best the West has to offer honeymooners.
GLAMP IT UP
Previously the domain of the brave or foolhardy, 'glamping' (i.e. glamorous camping) has somewhat revolutionised camping in the UK. The appeal of the countryside without having to sacrifice home comforts is proving ever popular and there is now a huge range of unique and wonderful
accommodation available for those to whom the concept of luxury camping appeals. Sawday’s Canopy and Stars is a company that specialises in tailor-made holidays of just this sort, personally seeking out and selecting the most beautiful and quirky holiday accommodation. For honeymoons, Sawday’s has a number of ideal locations. You could travel half way around the world and struggle to find anywhere as romantic as the Treehouse at Harptree Court near Bath, a stunning sky-high retreat. With a veranda just made for sipping Champagne while watching the sun set over the treetops, this beautiful wooden treehouse offers superbly luxurious accommodation. The treehouse is completely self-contained and is brimming with beautiful features, including a cosy wood burner and a copper bath in the en-suite bathroom. For the ultimate in tented accommodation,
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