Royal Wedding Holiday Cottage Connections

Two Cottages Close to Royal Households

As the Royal Wedding day gets closer, the Best Man (William’s brother Harry), Maid of Honour (Kate’s sister Phillipa Middleton), bridesmaids and pageboys have all been chosen. The wedding dress and flowers are still to be announced. One thing for sure is that the bridal bouquet will include a sprig of Myrtle. Known as the ‘herb of love’, all Royal brides have carried the fragrant white flowers since Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840. Following a long-running tradition, the Myrtle will be taken from Queen Victoria’s private garden at Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight and transported to London for the big day.

Osborne House was the grand summer palace of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and, now open to the public, offers a fascinating insight into Royal life through the centuries. Visitors to the Isle of Wight may like to stay at Afton Thatch, a quintessential British holiday cottage and one of the UK’s best country houses. Tasteful yet understated, this lovely cottage features antiques, handmade curtains and upholstered furniture.

Highgrove, in Gloucestershire, is the current royal residence of HRH, The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. Whilst the house is private, the grounds are open to the public on carefully organised tours and are acknowledged to be some of the most inspired and innovative gardens in the UK. There is a lovely shop too. Stay nearby at Churn Cottage in Tetbury, one of several charming and sympathetically restored stone houses at The Great Tythe Barn.