Britain on the Cheap

Yes, summer 2012 means Olympics in London, but for loyal royalists, it’s all about the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend June 2-4, 2012, marking Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne. VisitLondon has a new contest to win a five-night trip to help the sovereign celebrate. The winner will spend a night under the stars at [...]

The Great British Heritage Pass offers entrée into 480 properties around the UK, and now you can download a free iPhone app–to use with or without the pass. Check the castles, stately homes and historic sites out on a map, search by castle or garden or try sample itineraries around the UK.    

Visitors to Buckingham Palace are drinking in the lacy vision of the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding gown. This podcast reviews every inch of the gown, created by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The exhibit also includes the Halo Tiara made by Cartier and loaned by the Queen, Catherine’s veil and the diamond earrings her parents [...]

Now through Aug. 15, you can save 10% on a Great British Heritage Pass, which is available only to international travelers.  The Pass saves a lot of time and money on admissions to nearly 500 of the UK’s most popular castles, stately homes and palaces.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary as a hotel, gorgeous Bodysgallen Hall in Wales is offering a Summer in the Country break during August and September. The cost of £265/$426 per person sharing includes dinner and breakfast both days and use of the hotel’s spa, plus free entry to your chose of historic castle–pick from such [...]

The wedding gown of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, will be part of the special exhibits when Buckingham Palace opens July 23. Visitors will see the lace-trimmed dress created by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, as well as the Halo Tiara made by Cartier and loaned by the Queen. Catherine’s veil and the diamond earrings, a [...]

Wales’ Ruthin Castle will throw a Food & Drink Summer Fete July 17 at the castle keep, and admission’s free. Local food suppliers will be exhibiting and selling their goods, and the castle will host a family fun zone. The day runs 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. The medieval castle hotel, with links to the legends [...]

If you’re totally besotted with William and Catherine, you might want to splurge on the Milestone Hotel’s “Live Like Royalty” package—or at least have a cocktail named for the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The London hotel directly overlooks Kensington Palace, where the royal newlyweds will live. The package includes two nights in a [...]

Fans of the royal wedding can get that much closer to the happy couple’s Anglesey home with a stay at the 13th-century Welsh castle, Ruthin. Ruthin Castle is the only Edward I castle in Wales where you can stay the night. Other royals, such as Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I, also owned Ruthin. [...]

Rooms are still open for the royal wedding April 29! The official Prince William and Kate Middleton wedding site has all the latest details. If you simply can’t resist, there are still spots! The Colonnade Hotel in London’s Little Venice is offering a room-only rate of £184/$290 during the royal wedding weekend. Ashdown Park Hotel [...]