Rather than heading straight to the airport post-vows, more and more newly-weds are opting to press pause on their honeymoon in favour of a minimoon. While this brief hiatus extends the wedding bubble for just that little bit longer, more practically, it also gives couples time to save for the opulent oceanside getaway of their dreams.
But until the cerulean seas of the Caribbean calls, why not unwind after your wedding at a retreat a little closer to home. With nature escapes and cosy cabins materialising in the UK by the minute, we’ve picked our five favourite minimoon destinations to inspire your Great British getaway.
#1 Sky House, 57 Nord
After months of stress-inducing wedding planning and preparations, a touch of slow living is surely what the doctor ordered. And here, at Sky House, 57 Nord, you can’t help but stop and slow down.
Cradled within the grasp of the Scottish mountains, this boutique hideaway designed for two will persuade you and your partner to find joy in the everyday – from listening to the crackling of the fire to running an indulgent bath in the stone tub.
Like all of our minimoons, self-catering amenities enable visitors to disconnect from the real world entirely. But if you fancy getting dressed up, you can always venture out for a romantic dinner at one of the Michelin starred restaurants close by.
What we love: Guests arrive to hamper of locally-made and sourced goods including artisanal sourdough and creel-caught langoustine from the local fisherman Duncan. And if you’re looking to celebrate in style, a private chef can also be arranged.
Location: Set on the coast of Wester Ross, Sky House is a two hour drive from Inverness Airport or a shorter fifteen minutes from Skye.
Price: A three night stay starts from £1,050.
#2 Red Brick Loft, Boutique Retreats
With our next minimoon destination we’re heading south to the green surrounds of Exeter, a stone’s throw from the Devonshire coastline. Styled to perfection, this loft conversion celebrates all that’s great about open-plan living.
To make the most of the stunning landscape that lies on Red Brick Loft’s horizon, opportunities for spending time outdoors abound. A raised deck presents the perfect spot to enjoy eating alfresco or, for the night owls, you can cosy up by the firepit for a touch of stargazing.
What we love: If you’d like to invite friends or family, additional accommodation is available in Red Brick Studio below.
Location: Nearly eight miles north of Exeter. For the explorers out there, you’ll also find the National Parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor nearby.
Price: A three night long weekend starts from £720.
Photographer: Matthew Heritage
#3 Wheatsheaf Huts, Kip Hideaways
Listing ‘small places with soul’, Kip Hideaways provides its subscribers (membership is just £14 a year or £2.99 a month) with a wealth of highly curated getaways, including the most rustic of our minimoon picks.
Set within the agricultural landscape of Oxfordshire, this off-grid shepherd’s hut comes with everything you could need for a romantic retreat including a hot tub in the wild, uninterrupted seclusion and a bell tent in case you decide to sleep under the stars.
What we love: Once you sign up to Kip Hideaways you’ll have access to a whole host of independent and boutique retreats to cater for all of your staycation needs. Oh and did we mention, there’s no pesky booking fees!
Location: The ever-green landscape of Oxfordshire.
Price: From £150 a night.
#4 Bower Barn, Unique Hideaways
The Cornish coastline is about as close as the UK gets to tropical…and if we’re being honest that’s still a bit of a stretch. But if you’re after a bit of sun and sand for your minimoon, you won’t get much better than Cornwall.
And though the temperatures may not be akin to the equatorial climates of typical honeymoon havens, the views are just as beautiful.
To experience England’s most southerly coastline however, we recommend staying in a traditional Cornish stone abode like Unique Hideaway’s Bower Barn. Its quaint, cosy but filled with all the contemporary amenities you need.
What we love: Wander hand-in-hand down to St Agnes beach for a refreshing bout of sea air before returning back to the quirky bolthole for an evening under the fairylights. Dogs are also welcome.
Location: This getaway sits close to the shores of St Agnes and, more importantly perhaps, less than a mile away from the closest pub!
Price: Prices here ranges from £570 – £950 per week.
#5 Found Tower, Unique Homestays
Now this may be a little larger than our previous minimoon favourites, but Found Tower delivers on the character front like no other. If you’re after unique, then here it is.
Originally built as a defence tower in the 1800s, the circular escape has since been renovated and transformed into a self-catering cavern with 360 degree views of Suffolk’s idyllic scenery.
What we love: Promising 5-star luxury, a welcome hamper donning local produce, chocolates and a bottle of Prosecco welcomes you to the Martello tower.
Location: Settled within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Deben Peninsula in Suffolk.
Price: It may be the most expensive of our five at £2,295 per week and £2,450 per short break, but a stay here is worth every penny.
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