There has been no greater icon of modern British history than Queen Elizabeth II. The Sybarite offers its heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family.
As we move through this time of transition together, we wish to honour our late Queen's spirit of adventure.
Throughout her long and impactful reign, Her Royal Highness travelled the world in service of the Commonwealth but here, we explore her most beloved places in the nation she called home.
Click through to see the places closest to Elizabeth's heart, right here in the United Kingdom.
In no particular order, we've listed the nearest and dearest places in the UK to the late Queen's heart.
Windsor
Located in the south east of England’s aptly named Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the town of Windsor won’t come as much of a surprise as being one of the Queen’s favourite places.
Built in the 11th century by none other than William the Conqueror, it’s here that royal residence Windsor Castle stands proudly as the oldest - and biggest - inhabited castle today.
Initially staying here during the weekends of her early reign, Elizabeth had been spending increasing lengths of time at Windsor Castle following the passing of Prince Phillip.
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, has been a royal residence since 1852 and precisely one century later, the year of her coronation, Her Majesty began a lifelong tradition of spending her summer holidays here.
It’s been noted that Elizabeth was particularly fond of Balmoral, which she found to be a refuge, and in the documentary Our Queen at Ninety, Princess Eugenie revealed; “I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really, loves the Highlands. Walks, picnics, dogs - a lot of dogs, there’s always dogs - and people coming in and out all the time.”
It was during the Queen’s stays at Balmoral she and Phillip would immerse themselves in the remote Scottish landscape, where they spent time walking and riding.
St. Mawes, Cornwall
This picturesque seaside town lies on the southern tip of Cornwall and is where Elizabeth spent childhood holidays. As a particular favourite of the Queen Mother, St. Mawes served as a regular jaunt where she’d bring the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.
The town’s serene harbour and whitewashed cottages make for an idyllic break from the Royals’ busy schedules and the family’s holiday stay, Penlova, built by sportsman and personal friend of the Queen Mother, Dick Wilkins, is available for exclusive rentals.
The luxury waterfront property has been newly renovated in recent years and its location on the Cornish Riviera offers phenomenal 180-degree ocean views with a private slipway which the Princess Elizabeth would use to dock from the H.M.Y Britannia.
Norfolk
Just days before her passing, it was revealed that Garden House, a property on the Queen’s Sandringham Estate, in Norfolk, could now be rented as a holiday stay through Airbnb.
Previously the home of the estate’s head gardener, the cottage is said to be a “charming hideaway” and its gardens a “sheer delight” and a “superb setting for this idyllic house.”
Sandringham estate itself, however, is a vast country retreat in Norfolk, boasting 20,000 acres of grounds.
The royal family’s links with the nearby town of King’s Lynn is substantial, with Elizabeth choosing to begin her Diamond Jubilee celebrations there in 2012.
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