I moved to the Cotswolds and Harry and Meghan shouldn't overlook 5 places
Social News Reporter Alice Sjoberg shared her top picks for places Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should visit if they make their rumoured move to the region.
Harry and Meghan is moving to the UK this month (file) (Image: Getty)
Just as I made my move down to the Cotswolds, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced plans to return to the UK with their two kids, Archie and Lilibet. And while it’s not been revealed where they’ll be moving to, the Cotswolds has been one of the top theories.
The Cotswolds has long been popular for the Royal Family, and Harry himself is also familiar with what it has to offer. While I’m hardly an local expert on the area just yet, I spent considerable time in and around the region for several years prior to relocating, as it’s where the majority of my friends and my partner’s family are based. And quite simply, I adore it here.
So here are the places I’ve explored that I reckon Harry and Meghan would absolutely love, as well as Archie and Lilibet, of course.
Cirencester Park
Cirencester serves as the capital of the Cotswolds and has a great deal to offer – from browsing the independent boutiques and cafés to discovering the various historic grounds and Roman ruins. Yet the one attraction that truly captured my imagination was Cirencester Park.
While a park may not sound like the most thrilling destination, Cirencester Park has 3,000 acres of breathtaking countryside to discover. I’m being entirely serious when I say on my first visit, our ‘short morning walk’ ended up lasting much longer than it should have, but no regrets.
Prince Harry and Prince William both played polo at Cirencester Park (file) (Image: Getty)
Given the sheer size of the park, families are afforded ample opportunity to savour the British countryside in relative seclusion, as it is straightforward to venture beyond the busier areas frequented by the majority of visitors.
The park is under private ownership by the Bathurst Estate, situated close to the park’s entrance gates. The Bathurst Estate also oversees the Cirencester Park Polo Club, where members of the Royal Family have occasionally been spotted on the polo field – among them King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry.
Who knows, perhaps Archie or Lilibet will emerge as the next generation of royal polo players.
Cotswolds Wildlife Park
When they first began their romance, Prince Harry famously whisked Meghan away to a £1,000-a-night campsite in Botswana, where they enjoyed an African safari. While organising a safari with their two young children might seem rather daunting, a visit to the Cotswolds Wildlife Park could prove the perfect alternative.
Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens is home to more than 1,500 animals from 250 different species, making it one of the largest zoological collections in the United Kingdom. So while it may not be Africa, it still boasts a remarkable amount to offer.
The Cotswolds Wildlife Park could bring back memories of their African safari (stock image) (Image: Getty)
The Slaughters
When picturing the Cotswolds, most people will likely conjure images of villages such as Burton-on-the-Water and Bibury.
These settlements are frequently celebrated as quintessentially idyllic English villages, boasting ancient stone cottages and picturesque riverside settings. However, their widespread appeal inevitably draws considerable tourist crowds.
Fortunately, there are equally charming villages nearby that remain largely off the beaten track, offering a far quieter and more personal experience — and the Slaughters are a prime example.
Comprising two villages, Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter, the Slaughters are conveniently linked by a delightful walking trail. Despite their rather forbidding name, the villages deliver an authentically Cotswolds experience, complete with unspoilt honey-coloured stone architecture, tranquil riverside surroundings, and a wealth of history.