Britain on the Cheap

Looking to splash out a bit this holiday season? The Orient-Express has planned special excursions and day trips aboard British Pullman and Northern Belle trains throughout the UK from the end of November through New Year’s. Day trips begin with brunch and a Bellini on the outward journey and a four-course meal with champagne and [...]

It’s not too early to think about Halloween in the UK. The Royal Oak Foundation, the U.S. affiliate to the National Trust, has scouted out scary happenings at medieval castles and venerable estates, and suggested nearby overnights at National Trust properties. Royal Oak members receive access to more than 300 historic houses without paying an [...]

Charingworth Manor, just outside picturesque Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds, offers three nights for the price of two and half-price spa treatments for midweek stays through June. The cost of three nights with breakfast is £129/$188 per person sharing a classic room from Sunday to Thursday, a savings of £64.50/$94. A 50% discount applies to [...]

Looking to save on a cottage for the second week of Easter holidays? Puffins, a recently refurbished 300-year-old fisherman’s cottage in the little Cornish harbour town of Looe, is reduced $182/£112 for the week beginning April 10. The price for the cottage, which sleeps four, is now $528/£325. Need more room? Across the arched Victorian [...]

Calling all eagle eyes! Spot 10 Easter eggs hidden around the London Eye–plus a cheeky chick who can only be spotted from the Eye—and you may win one of 10 prizes, including a Merlin Entertainments Annual Family Pass for four worth $1,199/£800 and a selection of Green & Blacks chocolate treats. Download an activity sheet [...]

For an Easter break by the coast, Helpful Holidays has a late Georgian cottage sleeping four at Flushing in South Cornwall for £439/$655 from April 3 and 10. Guests can take the regular ferry across the river estuary to Falmouth and visit the National Maritime Museum, shops, galleries and cafés. Pets welcome.

Looking to splash out a bit for Easter? The four-star deluxe Cavendish Hotel on London’s Jermyn Street, off St James’, is offering a weekend promo starting from $195 per night in a classic double room with full English breakfast for two. The offer’s valid from March 29 to April 11.

An Easter bunny, chocolate eggs, spring flowers and a welcome glass of champagne await guests booking an Easter break at Combe House, a Grade I Elizabethan manor near Exeter. Two-night breaks taking in Easter Friday, Saturday or Sunday, April 2-4, start at $952/£590 for two people sharing a room, including a three-course, candlelit dinner with [...]

For Mother’s Day at Lowry Outlet Mall, Manchester, manicures at J Crystal start at just $18/£12. A wash house treatment with Paul Mitchell products starts at $21/£13.50 at Fibre Hairdressing.

Focus Hotels has planned special lunches and getaway room rates around the country for Mother’s Day, March 14. A two-course lunch at The Oak Hotel, Wigan, starts at $17/£10.95 per adult; double rooms from $85/£55 based on two sharing. The Hatherton Country House Hotel, Stafford, has a three-course lunch for $20/ £12.95 per person, and [...]