All hail: The ultimate tour of British royal residences
This summer, more of Buckingham Palace opens to visitors than ever. But why stop there, when you can see the other castles and houses of the British royal family? Here’s where to find them
The most famous images of the royal family castles may show them waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace or hosting garden parties in its spectacular grounds—settings we will be able to see for ourselves when the Palace opens to the public this summer on July 11, with the Centre Room (which leads onto the famous balcony) becoming part of the tour for the first time. But when they’re not holding receptions at their historic London address, King Charles and his family spend a surprising amount of time in more under-the-radar pockets of the U.K.
From the grand houses where the Windsors vacation to the village stores where they run errands, read on for the spots to see—then use our map to plot your own royal tour of Britain.
St. Andrews, Scotland: Where William and Kate fell in love
The coastal Scottish town of St. Andrews will forever be synonymous with William and Kate’s romance. The couple met while studying at its medieval university in the early 2000s, and it was at 13A Hope Street that the young Prince attempted to impress his new girlfriend with his cookery skills. The couple would also be spotted on safer gastronomic territory at the local Pizza Express; although when they returned for an official visit in 2021, they opted for the upmarket Forgan’s, which specializes in local, sustainable dishes.
St. Andrews’ royal links have been renewed again with the arrival of Lady Louise Windsor at the university. Her parents, Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, have been hailed as the quiet new stars of the royal family thanks to the increased workload they have taken on of late, and their daughter has opted to study English literature here.
The town is an easy stop-off if you’re also planning to head two hours north to glimpse the late Elizabeth II’s beloved Balmoral Castle and Estate, a place where the royal family are said to be at their most relaxed—while researching my book on the late Queen’s style, it seemed clear to me that she was happiest wearing her Balmoral uniform of a kilt and twinset. Visit in August or September and you may even be lucky enough to glimpse the King out for one of his regular hikes.
Set-jetting in Scotland
Highgrove, Gloucestershire: The King’s private residence
The King has access to palaces that have been the homes of monarchs for centuries, but it is at Highgrove that he has created a haven all of his own. Here, his passion for horticulture and sustainability shines through. Visitors can see the innovative practices he has implemented since he acquired the Georgian estate in 1980, from the beautiful Wildflower Meadow to the Cottage Garden, where you’ll find an urn that a toddler Prince Harry once used as a hiding place. Less than 10 minutes’ drive from Highgrove is The Rattlebone Inn, a favorite drinking spot for William and Harry as teenagers, and now famed for its modern-British pub menu.
Windsor: Where Harry and Meghan’s wedding wowed the world
Romantic images of Windsor’s Long Walk were beamed around the globe when Meghan and Harry married in the Berkshire town in 2018. Windsor Castle may dominate the landscape, but the royals love the area for its vast expanse of countryside—the late Queen loved to ride in Windsor Great Park, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who live at nearby Bagshot Park, can often be seen doing the same now.
The area has also become a haven for the Prince and Princess of Wales, who often pick up groceries at the Windsor Farm Shop, which was opened by the late Prince Philip in 2001. Get your fashion and interiors fix at Lavershot Barns, where Kate has been spotted browsing, or head for afternoon tea at Cliveden House, the historic country house hotel where Meghan stayed the night before her wedding.
Anglesey, Wales: William and Kate’s nelywed escape
When Prince William and Kate Middleton were first married, they lived a relatively normal newlywed life on the Isle of Anglesey, just off the northeast coast of Wales. It was a perfect setting for a couple who love a quiet, outdoorsy life. When he wasn’t working as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot, William would be spotted walking with Kate on Newborough beach (a place she later described as “very special” to them) or eating at their favorite pub, The White Eagle, in Rhoscolyn. The new Duchess of Cambridge was even spotted shopping at the local Waitrose a week after their wedding in 2011.
Cotswolds, Oxfordshire: The royals’ rustic hideaway
An hour north of Highgrove is a more chichi corner of the Cotswolds, which Meghan and Harry made their own when they rented a cottage on the Great Tew estate in the months after their wedding. As well as being a country-chic base to host their famous friends, it also offered easy access to Soho House’s country outpost where Meghan held her hen party, and took Instagram-worthy bike rides. Enjoy brunch at Quince and Clover, dinner at The Boxing Hare, and marvel at Blenheim Palace, which traces its royal links back to the reign of Queen Anne in the 1700s.
Bethan Holt is fashion director of The Telegraph, a royal style expert, and the author of The Queen: 70 years of Majestic Style and The Duchess of Cambridge: A Decade of Modern Royal Style. She has appeared on the BBC, Sky News and NBC.
