5 mini-moons that will make you fall in love with the UK

Life


5 mini-moons that will make you fall in love with the UK

By Stylist Team

Updated 7 years ago

In association with Premier Inn

Yep, weddings are expensive. But the mini-moon doesn’t have to be

If there’s one thing we’re continually hearing, it’s that weddings are pricey. 

But while everyone focuses on just how much the big day is costing, we all seem to forget what comes after. 

Think about it – once you’ve splashed out on tying the knot, there’s often not a lot left in the kitty to pay for that dream honeymoon.

Enter the mini-moon: a short but sweet retreat to relax and reminisce about your wedding in the few days following it. A getaway in the UK not only lets you travel to somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit but haven’t got round to – it’s also far kinder on your wallet. 

So, rather than forking out a fortune after you’ve paid for the priciest party of your lifetime, why not plan a weekend away much closer to home?

Whether you’re a rural retreat kind of girl or looking for a feast, there are ways you can use your remaining cash wisely to really make the most of your mini-moon - hello, Premier Inn with their luxury Hypnos® beds, late check-outs available on request and breakfast served until 11am at weekends subject to hotel (of which there are 750 around the country, so you’re bound to find a convenient one).

To make things easier for you, we’ve cherry-picked five of our favourite places to stay across the UK for a mini-moon that won’t break the bank.

The seaside staycation: Exmouth

There’s something brilliantly nostalgic about the Great British seaside. Situated on the picturesque Exe Estuary, Exmouth in Devon is a quintessential example. 

This colourful coastal town is the starting point for the Jurassic Coast – a UNESCO World Heritage site that stretches from Devon through to Dorset, and boasts some of the best beaches in the UK. 

Whether you just want to kick back and sunbathe on the two-mile stretch of sand or get wet and wild with some watersports, Exmouth is perfect for your first days as newlyweds.

Book your stay here

The foodie escape: Edinburgh

If you found the way to each other’s hearts through your stomachs, then a foodie-focused Edinburgh mini-moon is the way to go. 

Start your day with the Canongate Brunch walking tour with Eat Walk Edinburgh, a tasty way to take in the culinary highlights of this part of the Scottish capital.

Afterwards, head north to the port of Leith, Edinburgh’s new foodie hotspot and home to two of the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants. There are plenty of eateries here, but don’t miss Fishers Leith, serving traditional Scottish seafood in a 17th-century watchtower. 

Book your stay here

The rural retreat: Chipping Norton

Looking for an edgier take on the traditional country mini-moon? 

Head to Chipping Norton – the perfect mixture of rural retreat and rock‘n’roll glamour that dates back to its famed recording studios (Duran Duran, Jeff Beck and Radiohead all cut albums there).

With loads going on, this lively market town is known as the ‘town of 10 festivals’ thanks to its programme of events dedicated to food, fiction and folklore. 

Make the most of the location and head into the Cotswolds – an area of outstanding natural beauty filled with stunning countryside and villages.

Book your stay here

The historical haven: Bury St Edmunds

Often the most romantic retreats are the ones where you can get lost in a brand-new place together. 

So, if it’s quaint, old-fashioned charm you’re looking for, storied Bury St Edmunds is just the location. 

This old market town in Suffolk has more than 1,000 years of heritage to explore.

Visit St Edmundsbury Cathedral, wander around the beautiful Abbey Gardens or stroll through pretty medieval streets and Georgian squares full of quirky boutiques and tucked away cafes – ideal for watching the world go by. 

Whatever you do, don’t miss the chance to make your own gin at the Adnams Distillery.

Book your stay here

The hiker’s paradise: Penrith

Fancy some spectacular scenery to ramp up the romance? Why not try a break in Penrith, otherwise known as the gateway to the Lake District. 

It’s hard not to feel the love when you’re surrounded with this region’s breathtaking natural beauty.

While it’s the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for bracing windswept walks through the English countryside, the town of Penrith also has plenty to offer. 

Start your day with a tour around the atmospheric ruins of Brougham and Penrith Castles, before heading up to Penrith Beacon to take in the panoramic views.

Book your stay here


Win a two-night stay at Premier Inn

Take a break worth £1,000 for you and three friends.

Chances are your calendar is starting to get booked up with hen parties, weddings and other bashes for the remainder of the year. And, with hotels dotted all over the country, you don’t need to look further than premierinn.com for your accommodation. In fact, Premier Inn is offering one Stylist reader the chance to win two nights at a Premier Inn of their choice. The hotel stay includes two nights for a maximum of four adults (staying across two rooms), a bottle of bubbly for when you arrive, breakfast on both mornings for you and your three guests, plus a £250 beauty treatment voucher to get you ready for whatever you’re celebrating during your stay.

To be in with a chance of winning, answer the following question…

Oh no, you’re a little late!

Sorry, the promotion closed over 6 years ago. Don’t worry, you’re still a winner to us. We have loads of other competitions running every week.


Book your next stay with Premier Inn

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