Fit for a King: 10 Beautiful Houses for a Royal Holiday

Ever wondered how it feels to live like a royal? We’ve compiled a collection of beautiful houses, perfect for your next UK holiday.

While Buckingham Palace and Sandringham Estate may not feature, there are other majestic castles and grand estates to choose from that are fit for a King! If you want to sit back and not lift a finger in the most beautiful house, we have you covered, with properties boasting private chef or catering service hire to take over all cooking duties.

You can host your own royal celebration with loved ones amidst acres of glorious countryside, choose to unwind at the end of the day with a swim in your own pool or a dip in a private hot tub, and even take a helicopter ride for an added touch of opulence!

Continue reading to find 10 beautiful houses fit for a royal family holiday…

1. Rudby Hall – near Hutton Rudby, North York Moors

Those looking for a beautiful big house with a regal touch will love the Georgian mansion of Rudby Hall.

Just like something out of Downton Abbey, this stunning home is ideal for a large family holiday or grand birthday celebration!

The kitchen comes well-equipped with top-of-the-line appliances, as well as a fabulous bar area! Once dinner is ready, host extravagant dinner parties in the formal dining room. Then, take a seat in the sitting room, where a woodburning stove is awaiting on a crisp evening.

Yet, the pièce de résistance of the home is the master suite, furnished to the most divine standard. It boasts an idyllic balcony with far-reaching views of the glorious North Yorkshire Moors.

2. Fernhill Castle – Skipton, Yorkshire

Dating back to the 14th century, Fernhill Castle is regarded as one of Yorkshire’s finest and most gorgeous houses.

Built by Edward De Fernhill to protect nearby Bolton Abbey, this regal let today offers you a chance to enjoy a holiday like royalty. Explore 15 acres of the estate, from which panoramic views of Yorkshire’s hills and dales can be admired.

After soaking up the gorgeous setting, head into the castle, where a welcome pack awaits your arrival. The owners of Fernhill Castle also offer a wide range of catered options. These include simple hors d’oeuvres, grazing platters, Yorkshire picnics and a five-course dining experience.

The temporary Lords and Ladies of Fernhill Castle can look forward to evenings in the panelled snug or the formal sitting room, boasting Gothic shutters and a marble fireplace.

Come evening, retire to one of the individually designed bedrooms! All eight bedrooms feature mattresses and duvets made from the finest Yorkshire wool, in addition to bedding woven from pure natural linen. Bliss!

3. High Fellside Hall – Sedbergh, Lake District

Enjoying a countryside position with magnificent views of the Lune Valley is High Fellside Hall. This is a beautiful big house located half a mile from Sedbergh.

This striking detached property has been transformed to provide you and your loved ones with an outstanding self-catering experience. The former farmhouse boasts high-tech installations throughout, integrated sound systems, sophisticated lighting systems and underfloor heating!

A family holiday can be spent enjoying the first-class, purpose-built leisure facilities, including a 15-metre heated swimming pool, a separate steam room and sauna, a built-in sunken seven-seater Jacuzzi and a small yoga/pilates area.

To the exterior, find a formal garden and spacious lawn areas. Here, you can enjoy the 360-degree views and catch a glimpse of the local farmers tending their cattle and spring lambs.

4. Knights Corner Stanhope Castle  – Stanhope, Yorkshire Dales

Next up on our list of beautiful houses is a property that’s sure to live up to royal standards! This holiday home rests within the grounds of Stanhope Castle, which is part of English Heritage. The charity manages over 400 historic monuments, buildings and places in England.

Choose to holiday at Knight’s Corner, a ground-floor apartment nestled within the grounds of a Grade II listed castle, for a unique experience!

Here, you can enjoy an open-plan living area styled with sleek chesterfield sofas and a dining table, ideal for a royal banquet!

Continuing to impress, this gorgeous home offers a private hot tub area, as well as a children’s play area with an extensive lawn to enjoy.

5. Brynkir Tower  – Garndolbenmaen, North Wales

Hidden away amidst the breath-taking landscape of the Snowdonia National Park is Brynkir Tower.

This Gothic folly will transport you right into a Brothers Grimm fairytale, with several touches of royal essence! Meander up the internal spiral stone staircase before reaching the sitting room, located on the top floor. Light up the woodburning stove and simply admire the 270-degree views of your North Wales surroundings.

Enjoy a royal holiday in one of the most gorgeous houses in the UK, with two bedrooms to choose from – a double and a twin – both of which are served by an impressive bathroom, featuring a roll-top bath.

6. Moorlands – Foulridge, Yorkshire Dales

The epitome of luxury in the Lancashire countryside and welcome addition to this collection of beautiful houses, Moorlands, is filled with timeless furnishings and quality finishing touches; a home truly fit for a King!

Upon entering the property, be greeted by the grand hallway. You will find an exquisite staircase with a beautiful skylight that floods the room with natural light. Some of the more impressive spaces in the property include the games room, cinema room and large dining room which boasts a banqueting table, perfect for a feast.

However, the real highlight of this property is the outdoor space. Be sure to make the most of one of the largest outdoor Vitality Spas in Britain, seating 18 guests, whilst admiring your surroundings. Alternatively, head to the garden room to savour the glorious sunset, with a glass of wine in hand.

For special occasions, take advantage of the option to hire a personal chef or caterer by prior agreement. A perfect way to conclude a spectacular holiday in the Yorkshire Dales region.

To make the family holiday even more special, a helicopter can be hired with prior notice, with the property’s own helipad located within the grounds!

7. Freswick Castle – near John o’ Groats, Scottish Highlands

Make this beautiful big house your base after driving along the North Coast 500, one of Britain’s top scenic drives!

Step back in time with a stay at this majestic castle, hidden away in remote Scotland, near John o’ Groats. Freswick Castle is a Grade A-listed tower house, built upon the foundations of a 12th-century Viking settlement. Even today, the property holds original period features.

Such features include the studded castle door, the main hall decorated with exposed stonework and a warming open fire. As well as a stone spiral staircase, peppered with olde-worlde charm!

While here, spend your days exploring the rugged coastline of Freswick Bay. You are likely to catch a glimpse of seals in the bay, otters in the burn and seabirds soaring the skyline! Be sure to pay a visit to John o’ Groats, the northernmost tip of Great Britain.

Alternatively, put on your walking boots for a two-footed adventure along the John o’Groats Trail. This Scottish walk takes you along the rugged coastline towards the city of Inverness.

8. Oakdene Country House – Sedbergh, Yorkshire Dales

Bring your loved ones to Oakdene Country House, a Victorian former mill owner’s house resting amidst the countryside of Yorkshire.

Sleeping up to 23 guests across 11 bedrooms, this property is perfect for your next long-awaited family gathering. Each evening, look forward to relaxing within the drawing-room of this most beautiful house, a space decorated with a sense of grandeur, with an inviting sitting arrangement.

Enjoy celebrations and family meals within the luxurious kitchen/dining room, where sleek, contemporary fitted units invite the chef of the group to whip up a feast.

Evenings at Oakdene Country House can be spent in the morning room or within the cinema room, where a large U-shaped sofa rests in front of a 64″ TV and soundbar.

9. High Hall – Appletreewick, Yorkshire Dales

Our next attractive home can be found nestled within Appletreewick, in the Yorkshire Dales. It is a remarkable Grade II* listed country house, exuding history, character and authenticity.

Look out for several period features, including moulded stone copings, wood panelling, mullioned windows, flagged floors, old oak beams and original plasterwork.

The centrepiece of the property is the Great Hall, boasting a 16ft ceiling, a large stone inglenook, a wood-burning stove, baby-grand piano, and enormous south-facing mullioned windows! Plenty of fun-filled evenings can be spent here.

The kitchen comes equipped with all the essentials and more to cook culinary delights, and the kitchen garden allows guests to help themselves to homegrown produce.

10. Gwern Borter Manor, Conwy, North Wales

Gwern Borter Manor is one of the most unusual places to stay in North Wales with its unique blend of luxury, history and natural beauty.

The manor house can accommodate up to 20 guests in its nine bedrooms, making it an ideal retreat for large families, groups of friends or special gatherings. The spacious living areas, including a drawing room, sitting room, dining room, and kitchen, offer plenty of room for guests to relax and socialise.

The property boasts a large enclosed garden, perfect for children to play and for adults to enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. The garden also features a hot tub, where guests can unwind and soak up the tranquillity of the area.

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