The Queen’s favorite places: Here she could be herself

When it comes to the Queen’s most beautiful castles, there are quickly more than two dozen. During her nearly 70-year reign, she visited almost all of them regularly. However, the monarch of Great Britain had a very special relationship with some. We present their favorite places and what the surrounding area has to offer. A fascinating trip with emotional moments through the kingdom.

1. Sandringham Manor in Norfolk

The county of Norfolk is located on the east coast of England, around two and a half hours’ drive north-east of London. Here the royal family owns Sandringham House, where the Christmas holidays are traditionally spent. The Queen is said to have loved the country estate and 32 square kilometer park, often described as the most comfortable house in England. Visitors can see for themselves: the gardens and a museum are open from April to November.

The sparsely populated area is ideal for vacationers who value nature and the original way of life. The Norfolk Broads National Park with its rivers, lakes and swamps, for example, is considered a unique water landscape. Hidden villages along the waterways can be discovered by canoe or rental boat.

Cyclists will find another highlight on the coast: the former port town of Blakeney, which is now a nature reserve with one of the largest seal populations in the country. Speaking of the coast: This stretches over 72 kilometers along the North Sea and surprises with a number of fine sandy beaches in golden tones. Great Yarmouth is the most famous seaside resort in Norfolk. It is located in a large cove with grassy cliffs on two-mile-long Gorleston Beach. In summer you can go windsurfing, surfing and bodyboarding.

• Hotel tip: Pentahotel Ipswich
• Prices: 2 nights in a double room from 129 euros per person.

2. Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands

Summer residence and last place of residence of the Queen: Balmoral Castle is located in the north-east of Scotland, in the province of Aberdeenshire, directly on the River Dee in the Cairngorms National Park. The Queen stayed in the 14th-century castle for many weeks each year – usually between August and October. The 243 square kilometer estate at the foot of Mount Lochnagar extends to woodland, moorland, farmland and a few villages (made famous by the Highland Games) in the Scottish Highlands. The grounds, gardens and ballroom of the castle are open to visitors from April to July each year.

So varied the Scottish weather is, the possibilities for holidaymakers in the northern third of the island of Great Britain are just as varied. The Highlands with mountains up to 1345 meters high, gorges and waterfalls invite you to go hiking. Around 800 small islands in the Atlantic and in the North Sea offer wild and romantic destinations. Humpback, minke and porpoises, dolphins and orcas love the inlets and narrows of the rugged coast. The best viewing time is from April to October.

By the way, October, like May, is the best month to travel. There are more than 1000 well-preserved castles and palaces to admire, as well as the granite city of Aberdeen with its museums and galleries. And if the wind whistles, there’s nothing better than tasting a Scottish malt whisky. If you want to visit the legendary whiskey distilleries, simply embark on the Whiskey Trail north of Balmoral Castle.

• Hotel tip: Aberdeen Altens
• Prices: 2 nights in a double room from 108 euros per person.

3. Windsor Castle in Royal Berkshire

Windsor, a city of 28,000, is a good hour’s drive west of London, near Heathrow Airport. Here is the largest and at the same time oldest castle in the world that was inhabited throughout: Windsor Castle, which is also called the English Versailles and is considered one of the most beautiful and magnificent castles in the country.

Elizabeth II spent much of her childhood in the monumental complex, the oldest part of which dates back to the 12th century. She has always used the castle on the banks of the Thames as a place of retreat, most recently as her official residence. Her beloved horses were also kept here. Windsor’s appeal is also due to its large park, spaciousness and seclusion from the hustle and bustle. Here the monarch was able to live away from the public eye and at the same time close to London. Visitors can view the luxuriously furnished State Apartments and paintings from the Royal Art Collection on public tours.

The city of Windsor has much more to offer: the famous Ascot horse race in June, the Royal Horse Show in May, a Legoland theme park and St George’s Chapel, where Prince Harry and Meghan were married, as well as England’s largest private elite school . Eton College is across the River Thames and is a few minutes’ walk across Windsor Bridge. Even today, the students have to come to class in tails, waistcoats and white shirts. Two train stations guarantee a fast connection to London – you can be there in a good half hour.

• Hotel tip: Sir Christopher Wren’s House Hotel & Spa
• Prices: 2 nights in a double room including breakfast from 163 euros per person.

4. Buckingham Palace in London

In the center of London stands one of the few royal palaces in the world still in operation: Buckingham Palace. Official seat and residence of several royals. A palace with symbolic character. Here Queen Elizabeth II received prime ministers, ambassadors, bishops and statesmen from all over the world. During the summer and on select days between November and December, as well as at Easter, ordinary people can tour the 19 state rooms that are considered the heart of the palace. The changing of the guard is also popular, when the guards with their bearskin hoods and red tunics stride across the square to the beat of the music.

But there is much more to discover in the capital of England and Great Britain, whose roots go back to the Roman Empire: the Houses of Parliament, the legendary Big Ben clock tower, Westminster Abbey, the coronation site of the British monarchs and Tower Bridge. If you want to get an overview, climb onto the London Eye Ferris wheel on the other bank of the Thames.

A special feature of London are also many free admissions to the National Gallery (masterpieces by painters such as Vincent van Gogh, Auguste Renoir, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo) or the British Museum (with eight million objects one of the largest and most important cultural history museums in the world). . Not forgetting the famous parks like Greenwich Park on a hill or Kensington Gardens next to Hyde Park. Borough Market, nestled in a labyrinth of Victorian railway arches, is known for its bustling market and great value food from around the world.

• Hotel tip: Strand Palace Hotel
• Prices: 2 nights in a double room from 392 euros per person.

5. Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland

The Queen also had an official residence in Northern Ireland: The Georgian mansion Hillsborough Castle is located west of Belfast in County Down and was built in the 18th century. Of the many royal estates, it is one of the smaller and more modest. Perhaps this was also a reason why the monarch had taken it to her heart – even if she was not often present.

The area is characterized by the Morne Mountains, endless pastures and the rugged coast of the Irish Sea – wild, untamed, windswept, but wonderfully green all year round and never overcrowded. Nature fans, hikers and cyclists will find paradisiacal opportunities here, such as the path along the Morne Wall. The impressive dry stone wall is 35 kilometers long and crosses 15 peaks. Or the Tollymore Forest Park at the foot of the Morne Mountains, created by the Earl of Clanbrassil in the 18th century – with millions of tree seedlings. The scenery is also known from the cult series “Game of Thrones”, which was filmed in parts of the park.

The 26 km long lake Strangford Lough with its 360 islets is also spectacular. Archaeologists found relics such as fireplaces, graves and clay pots on many of them, which gave information about the Ice Age. The glacial fjord of Calringford Lough is home to endangered bird species such as common, arctic and roseate terns. Would you like a little more culture? Downpatrick is all about Ireland’s national saint, St. Patrick. Towering over the small town is Down Cathedral – an imposing structure with pointed spiers and a graveyard where St Patrick’s tomb is said to be.

• Hotel tip: Hotel Slieve Donard
• Prices: 2 nights in a double room from 229 euros per person.

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