Royal homes you can actually holiday in

Live like a king at these royal residences

From Balmoral Castle in Scotland to a small cottage on the Isles of Scilly, the British Royal Family have an unrivalled portfolio of properties across the UK which they use to take some rather beautiful-looking holidays.

Fortunately, some of them are available to the public to rent when the monarch and his clan are not in residence, and without the need for any royal duties on your part either! Explore your next regal holiday home...

*Prices correct at time of publication and all dollar values in US dollars

Balmoral Estate, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

It is well known that the late Queen thought of Balmoral as her favourite place on earth, enjoying many summers here with her family over the decades.

Her son King Charles, however, has always preferred to stay at Birkhall on the edge of the estate inherited from the Queen Mother in 2002, rather than in the main house. If he ever gets bored though, there are 150 buildings and cottages on the vast estate. Several of these are available as holiday rentals.

Balmoral Estate, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the British Royal Family since it was bought for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852. The late Queen described the estate as her “paradise in the Highlands” and it seemed fitting that she passed away there in September 2022.

Some of the final photographs of Her Majesty were taken in the drawing room there just a couple of days before her passing. With the fantastic scenery of the Cairngorm Mountains and activities including hill walking, sailing and mountain biking, it really is an outdoor paradise. No wonder she called it her favourite corner of the world.

Balmoral Estate, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

According to The Mirror, the new King has expressed his intentions to open up the castle to the public as a museum in honour of his mother. Yet, there are several properties on the estate that have been available to the public to rent for many years.

Connachat Cottage, about three miles west of the castle on the edge of the Ballochbuie Forest, and Tigh na Garaidh Cottage, within the Castle Gardens, can both be seen dotted on the extensive land surrounding Balmoral.

Balmoral Estate, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Although not as grand as Balmoral Castle, Connachat Cottage is one of several sturdy stone-built properties on the estate (pictured here is another, Inchnabobart). It sleeps six people and is equipped with everything you and your guests need for your stay in the Highlands. You can enjoy a relaxed walk in the grounds of Balmoral Castle, venture further afield for a spot of fishing or join one of the Expedition Tours, where you can get closer to the rugged landscapes and wildlife.

Tigh na Garaidh Cottage sleeps four, overlooks an enclosed garden and is available throughout the year, apart from when the Royal Family are in residence. There are several other cottages around the estate and prices range from £645 ($815) in the smallest cottage in the off-peak season to £2,280 ($2.9k) in one of the more remote lodges at Christmas.

Castle of Mey, Caithness, Scotland

The remote and windswept Castle of Mey near John O’Groats in Caithness was a beloved summer home of the late Queen Mother up until her death in 2002.

Built between 1566 and 1572 for the 4th Earl of Caithness, the castle was purchased by the Queen Mother in 1952 following the death of her husband King George Vl. Now owned by the Castle of Mey Trust, it is regularly open to the public.

Castle of Mey, Caithness, Scotland

Named Barrogill Castle when she bought it, the Queen Mother reinstated its original name of Castle of Mey before moving in and undertook an extensive restoration of the building, removing many of its 19th-century additions.

Here's the drawing room, filled with vintage furniture and plenty of charm. Falling for its isolated charm, the castle became a much-loved retreat for the Queen Mother, who made annual visits here in summer and autumn.

Castle of Mey, Caithness, Scotland

King Charles continued the tradition, staying here every year in late August with his wife Camilla for a 10-day holiday. The couple are said to love the privacy and isolation of the remote home, which is the most northerly-inhabited castle on the British mainland.

King Charles oversaw the renovation of The Granary, seen here, and the Captain’s House so that paying guests could experience its unique location too.

Castle of Mey, Caithness, Scotland

Officially opened by King Charles in 2019, the former granary has been converted into a 10-bedroom bed and breakfast, nestled between the castle and the shore. The luxurious property, which contains this elegant bedroom, costs around £2,000 ($2.5k) for seven nights in August.

Offering views out across the Pentland Firth towards Orkney, visitors can enjoy spectacular sunsets and, if they’re lucky, views of the Northern Lights.

Castle of Mey, Caithness, Scotland

Previously known as Seaview House, The Captain’s House is a beautiful detached holiday cottage which sleeps six. Its 20-foot conservatory overlooking the enclosed garden offers panoramic views out to sea and was sometimes used as a picnic spot by the late Queen Mother.

A home away from home, it can be rented in August for seven nights for around £1,300 ($1.6k). It is just six miles from John O’Groats, near Dunnet Head, which is the northernmost point of mainland Great Britain, surrounded by stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere.

Castle of Mey, Caithness, Scotland

Exquisitely decorated with traditional prints of local sea birds and embroidered rugs and cushions, you won’t want to leave. There's lots to do in the surrounding area, including day trips to Orkney and visits to the Castle of Mey.

You may be joined by another guest, however. Prince Harry and Meghan enjoyed a romantic break in 2018 when they are said to have encountered the resident ghost of Lady Fanny Sinclair. The ghost is said to have taken her own life in the 1880s after her father banished a stable hand she had fallen in love with.

Dumfries House, Ayrshire, Scotland

Still in Scotland, you may be drawn to this magnificent Palladian country house near Glasgow that King Charles saved for the nation in 2007. Dumfries House was built in the 1750s for the 5th Earl of Dumfries by eminent architects John Adam and Robert Adam.

The home was struggling to survive when it was purchased by a consortium led by the monarch, who put in £20 million ($25.3m) from his own charitable foundation’s funds. The house was in a poor state of repair when the King bought it...

Dumfries House, Ayrshire, Scotland

After a painstaking restoration, it opened to the public in 2008 and features some stunning rooms including the Picture Gallery on the first floor with its collection of paintings by Scottish artists and some beautifully carved chairs by Thomas Chippendale and Alexander Peter lining the corridor.

Other highlights include the Blue Drawing Room, the Pink Dining Room and the Tapestry Room.

Dumfries House, Ayrshire, Scotland

The idea was for the estate to be self-sufficient and help regenerate the local economy. When the King and Queen are not in residence, the house is open to the public and can be rented for special and corporate events, including weddings.

You can even stay over in one of the estate’s beautiful guest rooms located in Dumfries House Lodge, just a few hundred metres from the main house, which was originally known as the ‘Garden Cottage’ in the 18th century.

Dumfries House, Ayrshire, Scotland

With a bay window that overlooks open countryside, Room 1 is tastefully decorated and can be rented for around £190 ($240) including breakfast. Some rooms feature furniture that has been taken from the main house and all profits from the five-star bed and breakfast accommodation are invested in The King’s Foundation’s education and training programmes.

There are also two luxury self-catering cottages adjacent to Dumfries House Lodge, which are available to rent year-round (excluding the festive period) for a minimum of three nights.

Osborne House, Isle of Wight

Osborne House at Cowes on the Isle of Wight was Queen Victoria’s favourite residence and where she brought up her nine children. She commissioned fashionable architect Thomas Cubitt to redesign the estate and turn it into an Italianate palazzo.

Once completed, it boasted its own private beach, gardens and a full-sized Alpine playhouse called Swiss Cottage. “It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot,” she said of her beloved family home.

Osborne House, Isle of Wight

Its sumptuous rooms hark back to an era when Osborne House was at the centre of a vast British Empire. Queen Victoria continued to live here after her beloved husband Prince Albert’s death in 1861 and kept his suite much as it was during his lifetime.

Visitors can see the Queen’s personal bathtub in her dressing room and, next door, the bedroom where she died in January 1901 aged 81. This is the place to visit if you love your history.

Osborne House, Isle of Wight

Sadly, you won’t have the opportunity to stay in the main house. But English Heritage has organised the next best thing by transforming the two gatehouses at the formal entrance to the estate into two holiday lets.

No.1 Sovereign’s Gate is a two-bedroom cottage that comfortably sleeps four people. Although not used by royal visitors, it remains the entrance through which members of the British Royal Family enter the estate to this day.

Osborne House, Isle of Wight

You won’t find the historically lavish furnishings on display in the State Apartments in the main house, but both No.1 and No.2 Sovereign’s Gate offer modern comforts and a contemporary design.

Each cottage has its own private garden with outdoor seating and a barbecue and guests can access the beach at all times, including after opening hours to the general public. A four-night stay in No.2 in August costs around £1,360 ($1.8k).

Osborne House, Isle of Wight

An alternative is to stay in the former cricket pavilion which has been converted into a two-bedroom cottage sleeping four. Overlooking College Field, once the cricket pitch to the south of the estate, Pavilion Cottage benefits from being off the beaten track of the day visitors.

However, it is also conveniently close to Osborne House and its formal gardens, so you won't feel at all isolated, but still have a peaceful setting for your royal break.

Osborne House, Isle of Wight

Brimming with period features, you can spend your evenings dining al fresco on the veranda, immersing yourself in the magical atmosphere of Osborne long after the crowds have gone. A four-night pre-Christmas stay costs just £610 ($780).

Queen Victoria’s son Edward Vll had her private rooms sealed off after her death in 1901, but her great-great granddaughter, the late Queen Elizabeth ll, opened them up to the public in 1954 later entrusting the management of the estate to English Heritage.

Sandringham House, Norfolk

Of course, if you would rather spend the festive season in closer quarters to the current Royal Family, head to Sandringham. The British royals have celebrated Christmas at their Norfolk residence since 1988 (apart from a brief hiatus during the pandemic).

Sitting on 20,000 acres of grounds, the house dates back to Elizabethan times and was purchased by Queen Victoria in 1862 as a gift for her son, the future King Edward Vll.

Sandringham House, Norfolk

King Edward Vll renovated the house in 1870, adding a ballroom in 1881 and a guest wing in the 1890s. Described as “the most comfortable house in England”, it featured the latest domestic technology, including gas lighting, flushing toilets, and working showers.

Even today, Sandringham has a more relaxed vibe than other royal residences. The ground floor is decorated in elegant Edwardian style with a roaring hearth taking centre stage in the saloon seen here.

Sandringham House, Norfolk

Once the home of the monarch’s head gardener, the Garden House was made available to rent shortly before the death of the late Queen in 2022 through Norfolk Hideaways.

It is the closest estate property to Sandringham House itself, but is in popular demand and booked out throughout 2024, so you may have to wait a while for the chance of bumping into members of the royal family when you are out for your evening stroll.

Sandringham House, Norfolk

There is accommodation for eight guests and the rooms are decorated with furniture and artwork once housed in one of the Royal Family’s many residences.

The late Queen would traditionally stay on at Sandringham after Christmas until after 6 February, the date of her late father King George Vl’s death and her ascension to the throne. King Charles hosted his first Christmas there in 2022 following the death of his mother.

Restormel Manor, Cornwall

Nestled in the heart of the Fowey Valley in Cornwall, Restormel Manor is an elegant 1540s manor house that was restored in the 18th century. While it remains the official residence of King Charles lll and Queen Camilla when they are in the county, it is available to rent as part of the Duchy Estate at other times.

The Strawberry Hill Gothic-styled mansion, with its crenellated façade, lies in the shadow of a 13th-century castle and in Cornish 'Restormel' means 'King’s Tower Hill'.

Restormel Manor, Cornwall

As the eldest son of the reigning British monarch, the Prince of Wales now owns the Duchy of Cornwall, to which Restormel Manor belongs. In stunning grounds and surrounding countryside and just a mile from the medieval village of Lostwithiel, Prince William has stayed at the manor many times.

Before their marriage, according to the Daily Mail, his wife Kate’s family, the Middletons, rented the property from the then Prince Charles over the Christmas holiday in 2010 for £3,000 ($3.8k) per week.

Restormel Manor, Cornwall

They were no doubt impressed by its luxurious interiors designed by the Queen’s sister Annabel Elliot, who has taken great care to retain the character of the house while combining contemporary British brands with antique and market finds to create its inviting atmosphere.

The light blue walls set off a variety of textiles and artworks in this living room, while the antique rug was found at auction.

Restormel Manor, Cornwall

Divided into three separate wings, Dairy House, Manor House and Trinity, all three can be rented separately and have their own entrance. Sitting on the site of the ancient Trinity Chapel, there are three sitting rooms, three kitchens, five double bedrooms, four twin bedrooms and bathrooms galore.

This stunning dining room in the central section of the house, with its elegant pale blue ‘Egerton’ wallpaper from Cole & Son and 19th-century pine bookcase is peak royal elegance.

Restormel Manor, Cornwall

Although you should sleep well in this pretty bedroom, with its Cole & Son’s ‘Sweet Pea’ wallpaper and vintage bedcover, keep an ear out for the ghosts of 1,000 English Civil War soldiers who, according to reports, are said to haunt the grounds of the ancient site.

It was here in 1644 that Charles l’s Royalist forces drove out Cromwell’s occupying troops after a month-long siege resulting in 1,000 fallen soldiers which, according to legend, were destined to gallop through the woods forever more.

Cottages in Cornwall

If Restormel Manor is a bit too big or grand for your purposes, Duchy of Cornwall Cottages have 26 other cottages available to rent. This charming barn conversion enjoys stunning views over the Restormel parkland and River Fowey.

Diggery sleeps four and has access to the leisure facilities at Restormel Manor, including an indoor heated swimming pool, steam room and sauna and is a short walk from the sustainably designed Duchy of Cornwall Nursery.

Cottages in Cornwall

The cottage has an open-plan sitting room/dining kitchen with a wood burner and stylish comfortable furniture as well as a king-size double bedroom on the first floor with views of Restormel Castle atop its Norman mound.

Best of all though is that it's great value for money. Reports last year said cottages were cheaper than the price of a Travelodge, and a week in early July is available for around £1,755 ($2.3k).

Cottages in Cornwall

Even more secluded on the outskirts of Bodmin Moor are a collection of four cottages, located on Loskeyle Farm, near the village of St Tudy. Amongst them is Menhenick, a two-storey barn conversion with views of the Cornish countryside.

Less than half a mile away is the start of the Camel Cycle Trail, which weaves its way along the River Camel, through Bodmin and Wadebridge and onto Padstow, while the beaches of the north coast are just a short drive away.

Cottages in Cornwall

Menhenick has three bedrooms, including this pretty room in the eaves with its colourful furniture and textiles. The cottage has a well-equipped dining kitchen and a spacious open-plan sitting and dining room with views of a securely fenced garden with paved outdoor barbeque area and an apple orchard beyond.

A week in early July is available for around £2,000 ($2.5k). It may not be grand but you’ll feel like the king of the castle in this adorable abode.

Isles of Scilly

It’s hard to believe that Tamarisk, this modest four-bedroom bungalow on St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly, was King Charles' first property purchase. The 20-year-old prince bought the bachelor pad through his Duchy of Cornwall in 1969.

Once married and a father of two boys, he preferred to stay in a larger property in Tresco. however, due to the limited space in the bungalow.

Isles of Scilly

Named after the tamarisk shrubs that surround it, the chocolate box cottage underwent an extensive refurbishment in 2016 and features this stylish lounge, a country-style kitchen, and shaker cabinets, as well as carefully selected artworks which adorn the walls throughout.

The charming property is no longer used by the King but can be rented for as little as £1,500 ($1.9k) during low season.

Cottages in the Isles of Scilly

The Duchy of Cornwall also owns other properties on the island, including the charming Gatehouse Cottage which is nestled against the Elizabethan Garrison walls above Hugh Town on St Mary’s.

The two-bedroom home was constructed in the early 17th century and, as the name suggests, was originally adjacent to the Garrison’s main gated entrance.

Cottages in the Isles of Scilly

Its cosy sitting room with its wood-burning stove in a granite fireplace is the perfect place to relax after a busy day lounging on the island’s unspoilt beaches or spotting its wildlife, including seals, dolphins and puffins.

The islands, which have been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, have a unique microclimate, which can accommodate exotic plants from locations such as South America, South Africa and New Zealand.

Transylvanian estate, Zalanpatak, Romania

If you fancy something not quite so quintessentially British, you might want to check out King Charles’ properties in Transylvania, famed for its association with Count Dracula and brutal real-life ruler Vlad the Impaler.

The former Prince first fell in love with the region in 1998, shortly after the death of Princess Diana, and was so smitten with the area that he bought two properties there.

Transylvanian estate, Zalanpatak, Romania

He purchased his first cottage in 2006 in the Saxon village of Viscri and another in 2010 in the village of Zalanpatak for a rumoured £12,000 ($15.1k). What a bargain!

Both properties were carefully restored and are looked after by the King’s close friend Count Kalnoky. The King often stays at the cottages when he is in Romania, but for the rest of the year they are rented out to holidaymakers.

Transylvanian estate, Zalanpatak, Romania

The 400-year-old cottages have been fitted with antique Transylvanian furniture and textiles and have a grand fireplace for those cold winter nights. There is a family connection to the region too, according to the Daily Mail. 

Charles’ maternal great-great-great-grandmother Klaudia Rhedy was born and brought up in the area. Hungarian-speaking Klaudia married into German royalty and was styled the Princess of Teck.

Transylvanian estate, Zalanpatak, Romania

A highlight is the Prince’s Room, where the King is said to reside when he is in the area. The bedroom features a king-sized twin bed, which is adorned with heritage textiles and a lavishly decorated traditional terracotta stove to keep the monarch nice and cosy during his stay.

Don’t expect any mod cons though. There are no televisions or radios in any of the rooms, just books, and guests are expected to dine together.

Transylvanian estate, Zalanpatak, Romania

If you are with the kids, they may enjoy staying in Aunt Ida’s Room, which has a traditional Transylvanian drawer bed! The King’s retreat is nestled amongst the hills of the Zalán Valley in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, so there's lots to explore.

The all-inclusive full-board price per person per night sharing a double or twin room, is around £156 ($197) and all profits go to charity. What better motivation to enjoy a break... and live like a king in the process!

Don't want to stay? Take a look at the British royal residences you can visit