If the royal wedding frenzy is making you want to pack your bags and get as far away from the nearest street party as possible, help is at hand. Whether it's a relaxing break in the countryside or a trip to the theatre, there are plenty of places to escape to over the double bank holiday weekend. Here's our guide to the ten best things to do to get away from Kate and William's big day.
Royal Wedding Escapes
The famous Jazz Festival runs from 27th April – 2nd May and this year performances from the likes of Jamie Cullum and Hugh Laurie are set to steal the show. Cheltenham's newly opened Montpellier Chapter Hotel is also offering exclusive packages throughout the festival; perfect for a relaxing weekend away if you're looking to escape the capital. Room rates start at £125 a night and Great Western trains travel between London Paddington and Cheltenham, starting from £9 each way.
Make the most of the Royal Weekend deals on cheap flights and accommodation in some of Europe's greatest cities. The Flightcentre is offering a three night trip to Dublin for £195 per person, including return flights to Heathrow and a room at the four star Ashling Hotel.
The panoramic views from London's Four Seasons rooftop spa make it one of the best places to escape the crowds while still keeping an eye on what Kate is wearing as she leaves Buckingham Palace. The spa is offering a three-hour Royal Rejuvenation package including a facial, pedicure and lunch from 20 April – 5 May for £250 per person.
If you're really looking to get far away from the wedding frenzy, a trip to one of Farm Stay's self catering lodges or cottages will ensure peace and quiet. Ramburgh Farm near Southwold in Suffolk is available for a three night stay in April for £313 or if you're a fan of the great outdoors, visit Westerly Farm Yurts in Stroud, Gloucestershire for a luxury camping experience. There won't be a wedding hat in sight.
Glorious Goodwood's famous racing season starts on 30 April and The Goodwood Hotel is offering special deals over the weekend, as well as a traditional English garden party to kick off the summer. Rates start at £175 per room per night and tickets to the races start from £19 per person.
Painshill Park's 158 acre woodland is one of Europe's most beautiful 18th century landscaped gardens and is easily accessible from London via train or car to Cobham in Surrey. It's also the perfect picnic spot. Plan where to go and what to see at Painshill.
If it's a cultural visit you're after, there's no better place than Stratford-upon-Avon. The Royal Shakespeare Company has recently re-opened its Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres which are now more impressive than ever before. Don't miss the company's 50th birthday season which kicks off this month with Macbeth, showing from 16 April. If that's not enough to tempt you, there's always the rooftop restaurant.
A walk through the West Highland Way is not for the faint hearted, but it does guarantee a Royal Wedding free getaway and the chance to see some of the UK's most spectacular scenery. The route covers an impressive 95 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, with highlights including Loch Lomond, the foot of Ben Nevis and the wilderness of Rannoch Moor. The self-guided tour of the Highlands takes nine days and can start any day between 21- 29 April at a cost of £619 per person on a bed and breakfast basis. Find out more at HF Holidays.
London's Secret Cinema event begins on 15 April. The impromptu cinemas will be popping up all over the city for 25 nights in undisclosed locations. Guests are encouraged to dress up in accordance to the film that's showing and the screenings often attract huge crowds so don't expect to settle down with your popcorn in peace. It's not your average movie night but well worth it for the experience alone. Register for tickets at the Secret Cinema.
The Tate Modern is opening its Joan Miró exhibit on 14 April showing 150 paintings, drawings and sculptures as part of the first Miró retrospective in 50 years. The exhibition will cover the breadth of this career with a particular focus on the political motivation in Miró 's work. The world renowned abstract art is definitely not to be missed. Find out more at the Tate Modern.