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The summer holidays are a welcome break from the routines of the school year. However, filling the long days out with activities that all the kids will enjoy and that will allow parents a nice break too can feel impossible. Plus, packing the break with days out or planning the best family holiday ideas can quickly become an expensive endeavor.
While many children dream of jetting off to popular holiday destinations abroad, it seems Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are keen to enjoy their summer break closer to home on a more budget-friendly trip to one of Prince William and Princess Catherine's favorite UK hotspots.
Cornwall is a Favorite Summer Destination
The Prince and Princess of Wales embarked on a secret getaway to Cornwall earlier this year, a tranquil escape amidst the storm of emotions following Catherine's recent cancer chemotherapy treatment. When Prince William visited Cornwall, he revealed that his children were jealous of his trip and added that they were hoping to come down for the summer holidays later in the year to spend time on the beaches.
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In 2021, Catherine, William, and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis took a summer holiday off the Cornish coast. At that time, international travel restrictions were still in flux due to the pandemic, so the family decided to stick close to home for their vacation. They made the same choice in 2020, taking their children to the Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall.
The Isles of Scilly offer a idyllic setting for a low-key family summer getaway with lots to explore. St. Mary's, the largest island, features large stretches of deserted white sandy beaches and dramatic rocky coastlines with stunning seascapes, giving George, Charlotte, and Louis plenty to enjoy.
A Modest Family Getaway
It's believed that William has spent time in the past at Tamarisk House on St. Mary's Island, both as a child with his parents King Charles and Princess Diana, and later with his own wife and three children.
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Tamarisk House sits nestled on the coast, largely concealed by tamarisk trees for privacy. The four bedroom mid-century property boasts stunning sea views. Holidaymakers on the island reported seeing the Royals, saying they "hardly noticed them at first as they seemed a normal family intent on keeping to themselves. The place they were staying was quite modest and certainly not hugely luxurious."
A brother to William commented that both he and Catherine adore their children and "their whole lives are about the children. I think they wanted to find a practical solution for the summer that has bedeviled the family for generations."
According to friends, William is thought to favor his father King Charles' plan to cut down the number of working royals, not wanting to invite anyone else or even his younger children to become working members of the family.
During their secret Cornish getaway earlier in the year following Catherine's illness, the couple are said to have found solace and respite in the familiar embrace of the sea. As the sun set on their short summer break, their hearts were perhaps a little lighter and their family bond a little stronger for having shared simpler quality time together in the scenic and relaxing surroundings of Cornwall.
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Summers Spent Exploring Cornwall
The Isles of Scilly offer the perfect environment for an easygoing, affordable summer holiday spent beachcombing, hiking the coastal paths, and enjoying picnics with scenic seaside vistas. Nearby St. Mary's has a selection of beaches suitable for different ages and interests, from the wide sandy bays of Holy Vale and Porth Cressa to the dramatic rocky shoreline at Watermill Cove.
Kids can also spend mornings exploring rock pools at low tide, collecting shells and crabs, while evenings are well-suited for lighting campfires or barbecues on the beach. The whole family can spend afternoons discovering hidden coves, watching for dolphins, or spotting different varieties of seabirds offshore.
Renting bicycles is a fun way to explore theNetwork of trails winding between fields of wildflowers. It allows the children freedom to set their own pace while parents can enjoy the scenery passing at a more leisurely speed. Picnic provisions can be carried in backpacks or panniers for stopping wherever takes their fancy along the way.
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History, Nature and Outdoor Activities
For rainy days, the Isles of Scilly Museum on St. Mary's offers hands-on activities and exhibits telling the archipelago's story from ancient settlements to present day. Young historians can learn about important figures like the 18th century Governor Thomas Case or the shipwreck of the SS Polestar in 1907.
Wildflower walks with local experts provide nature education on habitats, plants and wildlife. Looking for seals, puffins or rare birds through scopes at landmarks like Telescope Point can spark new interests. Outdoor skills days teach useful abilities for camping weekends like making rope from plant fibers, navigation techniques or how to build a simple fire.
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By prioritizing quality time with family and low-key, budget-friendly activities that allow for flexible, self-led exploration, the Waleses appear to have found an easy holiday formula that works for their young brood. Summers spent soaking up the simple pleasures and natural beauty of Cornwall provide memories to last a lifetime for the future King and his siblings.
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