This Family-Owned Island Is Where Kate Middleton And Prince William Went For A Staycation This School Holiday
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought back interest in local tourism—and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge brought their family to Tresco Island for a much-needed R-and-R
While the Philippines continue stay in lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rest of the world has started to ease up their restrictions to allow economic activity to resume. In many countries like the UK, inland borders have started to open up, allowing for local tourism to pick up again. This is a welcome development for smaller local businesses who have been greatly affected in the last months, and for locals who are itching to travel somewhere while global tourism is still at a pause.
Kate Middleton and Prince William, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are not exempt from the restrictions in international travel. That’s why even though their family would usually spend their summer vacations in faraway islands like the Caribbean island of Mustique or the French surf town of Biarritz, this year, they’ve decided to keep it closer to home, staycationing instead at Tresco, the second-biggest island of the Isles of Scilly in Cornwall, England.
Familiar territory
Tresco is a private island owned by the family of Lucy and Robert Dorrien-Smith. It’s a beautiful, peaceful piece of heaven filled with secluded sandy beaches, lush terrain, rock formations, and castle ruins. It’s also home to the world-famous Tresco Abbey Garden established in the 1830s by Augustus Smith.
But Tresco is particularly dear to the royal couple since it’s an island that may, in the future, become part of Prince William’s territory. Currently, Tresco is part of the Duchy of Cornwall, the private estate of Prince William’s father, Prince Charles. So if and when Prince Charles becomes king, the duchy will then be passed to Prince William.
Tresco is also some sort of a childhood sanctuary for Prince William. When he was younger, he would holiday at the island back when their mother, Diana, was still alive.
In 2016, Kate and William were also spotted visiting the Tresco Abbey Garden.
According to reports, the couple decided to take their family to Tresco a few weeks before Prince George and Princess Charlotte are set to return to school at St. Thomas’s Battersea in September. The staycation was also decided so the royal couple wouldn’t have to quarantine before returning to work.
Check out the gallery below to take a closer look at Tresco Island and the Dolphin House, a charming stone cottage where the royal family stayed.
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
Tresco Island
Tresco is a subtropical gem filled with so many interesting things to see and do.
Photo Credit: The Islands’ Partnership
Tresco Spa
Check out the island spa, which features an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, gym, and spa services.
Photo Credit: The Islands’ Partnership
Gallery Tresco
Located at New Grimsby, here is where you can find and appreciate Cornwall’s finest art. It houses the work of different English artists such as pottery, glass sculptures, paintings, and jewelries.
Photo Credit: The Islands’ Partnership
Valhalla Museum
There’s also the Valhalla Museum, which houses a collection of items salvaged from shipwrecks, started by Augustus Smith back in 1840.
Photo Credit: The Islands’ Partnership
Abbey Garden
And of course, the famous Abbey Garden. It is a sub-tropical garden home to thousands of exotic plants from all over the world.
Photo Credit: The Islands’ Partnership
The 17-acre gardens hail back to the 19th century, where it started out as a garden of a Benedictine abbey.
Photo Credit: The Islands’ Partnership
The Dolphin House
This is where the royal family stayed during their staycation at Tresco. The six-bedroom stone cottage is known for its privacy and beauty, surrounded by a walled garden filled with greenery.
Photo Credit: Tresco Estate
The cottage can sleep 10 people—one Master’s bedroom, three twin bedrooms, and two single bedrooms.
Photo Credit: Tresco Estate
Inside, the rooms are clean and pristinely designed—whites and blues dominating the color palette.
Photo Credit: Tresco Estate
Just like the bedrooms, the living room is a soft white and blue palette, almost mimicking the bright blue sky and the sea.
Photo Credit: Tresco Estate
At the back of the cottage is a walled patio with a large barbecue, al fresco dining, and a view of the majestic gardens.
Photo Credit: Tresco Estate
The gardens are spectacular, filled with mature trees, lush lawns, and a wonderful view of the sea.
Photo Credit: Tresco Estate
You can imagine spending time here at Dolphin House, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after spending some time surrounded by the lush flora.
Photo Credit: Tresco Estate
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