Babymoon ideas for a relaxing pre-baby getaway
First comes love. Then marriage. Then a babymoon - before baby arrives. Here's where you should go – in the UK and beyond – for that special alone time.
A great babymoon destination is somewhere that feels intimate and secluded, with glorious food. Harry and Meghan reportedly splashed out £33,000 on their babymoon at Heckfield Place in Hampshire in April 2019 but you don't need to remortgage the house to get that same cosy, English countryside experience.
The final key thing to remember about a babymoon? You only need to get away for a couple of days to give you and your partner a chance to reconnect and relax. We'd also recommend that you take this opportunity to sleep.
For a babymoon on the beach: The Pig on the Beach, Dorset
Manor House, Manor Road, Studland, Dorset, BH19 3AU
A real favourite thanks to its stunning location – overlooking the Jurassic coastline, in full view of the chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks and glimpsing the Isle of Wight in the distance – The Pig on the Beach has it all: glorious, locally foraged food from sea and garden; a 16th century manor house location with that cosy, reclaimed-furniture-and-cabinet-of-curioisities feel that's become The Pig's signature; and relaxing spa treatments, including a Bamford pregnancy massage. Since you're minutes from the beach, there's plenty of walking, boat rides and sightseeing to do. If you love the idea of The Pig but aren't much of a beach buff, the hotel also has locations in the New Forest, Bath, Southampton, Combe and Kent.
For a babymoon in the Cotswolds: Barnsley House, Gloucestershire
Barnsley House, Barnsley, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 5EE
A total gem in Cirencester, in the Cotswolds, Barnsley House is a relaxing, romantic babymoon getaway located in a 17th century manor house in a picturesque village. The setting is made for relaxation: think rooms with enormous side-by-side tubs, Rosemary Verey gardens for reading, walks and contemplation, and a stylish spa offering treatments from Elemis. The food is divine – and super local, with vegetables coming from the garden, honey produced on site and eggs from the hotel hens. You're also not too far from Bicester Village, if you fancy a mini shopping spree on the way there or back.
For a babymoon abroad: Villa D'Este, Lake Como, Italy
Via Regina 40, 22012 Cernobbio, Italy
If you're going to travel abroad for your babymoon, do it right: pick a location where you're not too far, and you know you'll love everything about it. Villa D'Este, on Lake Como, is simply magical with its rich history and opulent decor. You'll be transported to another world as you take in the views with a mocktail on the terrace at sunset, listen to live piano tunes at dinner, go for morning swims in the outdoor pool ... and there's even a golf club for anyone who needs their holiday to include tee time. In the words of Herb Caen: 'The precise location of heaven on earth has never been established but it may very well be right here.'
For a babymoon destination with inspiring interiors: Artist Residence, Oxfordshire
Station Rd, South Leigh, Witney OX29 6XN
Artist Residence, Oxfordshire, is a must for anyone who likes their holiday to have a dash of the unexpected. A 16th century farmhouse with a boho vibe, thanks to contemporary art additions from Stephen Anthony Davids and neon specialist Andy Doig – here's to hoping that a trip here will help inspire an unconventional take on baby's nursery decor. It's the perfect babymoon getaway for soaks in the tub with a favourite book and walks hand-in-hand along country trails. The food will fortify the spirits, and the tiny human inside of you: you'll be chowing down on cornish bream with BBQ fennel, beer battered haddock and a Full English breakfast. Yum.
For a babymoon in Cornwall: Bedruthan Hotel & Spa
Trenance, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, TR8 4BU
If you're looking to get a bit further away, the Bedruthan in Cornwall is a must. In fact, since the hotel has such a lot going on, from outdoor theatre to pottery and jewellery making, it's quite a fun place to go for a babymoon if you've already got a child or two. The spa is a favourite, with swimming pools and a selection of pregnancy treatments, like a bump wrap, scalp massage, facial and body massage. There's plenty to do outside of the hotel: Mawgan Porth is known for its lovely beachfront and scenic views.
For a babymoon in Wiltshire: The Rectory Hotel
Crudwell, Wiltshire, SN16 9EP
What better place to channel the energy and stamina required for impending parenthood than The Rectory near Malmesbury, which once housed a rector and his 14 kids? This Georgian house is cosy, contemporary and plush – think rolltop baths and goosedown bedding – and there's an outdoor heated pool to splash around in, between May and October.
For a babymoon in Cumbria: Brownber Hall
Newbiggin-on-Lune, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4NX
A Victorian property in the Yorkshire dales, Brownber Hall does country house chic to perfection – and provides the perfect backdrop for country walks (you can pass through the Smardale Nature Reserve to spot some wildlife). Food is easy – and delicious – with fresh stone-baked sourdough pizzas for dinner and a Full English to wake up to in the morning. It's even dog-friendly. We also love that the hotel is the brainchild of a couple who traded in their city lives as a barrister and management consultant to open up this country idyll.
