Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Her passing on September 8, 2022, sparked an outpouring of tributes and heartfelt messages. She had become a familiar figure worldwide, and for many, her loss was surprisingly moving.
Her reign, which lasted more than 70 years, spanned periods of both conflict and peace throughout the Commonwealth and beyond. Despite her weighty responsibilities, the Queen cherished her downtime with family and her beloved corgis. She was also one of the world’s most well-traveled people, having logged an estimated 1,000,000,000 miles during her life.
1. Balmoral Castle, Scotland
It’s no secret Queen Elizabeth held a special fondness for Scotland and Balmoral Castle. If you follow the royal family, you’ll know this was her personal sanctuary, where she traditionally spent two months each summer. “I think Granny is the happiest there,” said her granddaughter, Princess Eugenie, in the documentary Our Queen at Ninety. “She really, really loves the Highlands. It’s a beautiful base for her and Grandpa, and for us to visit them up there, where you have the space to breathe and run.”
Today, visitors can tour the 50,000-acre Balmoral Estate from April to July. Tickets include parking and access to the castle’s interior rooms (including the Ballroom Exhibition), the stables, the kitchen garden, and the formal gardens. Audio tours are offered with admission.
2. Sandringham House, England
Sandringham House is a place in England where the Windsor royals gather every year for Christmas. This gorgeous 8,000-acre estate in Norfolk was purchased in 1862 by Queen Victoria for Edward VII, who used it for shooting and hunting. The king even ordered all clocks to be set back half an hour to gain extra daylight for hunts. Sandringham always held a special place in the Queen’s heart and became the family’s venue for celebrating together.
You can visit this impressive country residence at different times throughout the year. The property is not just a grand house—it also has a museum and beautiful grounds to explore. The Sandringham Visitor Centre is open daily except for holidays.
3. Windsor Castle, England
When her uncle abdicated and her father became king, Elizabeth became heir to the throne. That was just one of many changes—including spending wartime years growing up at Windsor Castle, far from the London Blitz. Both Elizabeth and her sister Margaret were shielded from much of the world, to the frustration of King George VI. In his diary, he wrote, “Poor darlings, they’ve never really had any fun yet.”
After becoming Queen in 1952, Elizabeth grew more attached to Windsor Castle than Buckingham Palace, finding it peaceful and filled with memories. It’s the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and is open for tours all year. Guided visits include the State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, and St George’s Chapel. You might also catch the Changing of the Guard.
Despite popular belief, Buckingham Palace wasn’t the Queen’s preferred home. As highlighted in the docuseries The Royal House of Windsor, it felt empty and cold, too busy to allow her real relaxation. She greatly preferred Windsor Castle, just outside London.
4. Villa Guardamangia, Malta
Before ascending the throne, Elizabeth enjoyed a simple life as a wife and mother in Malta between 1949 and 1951, while Prince Philip was stationed with HMS Magpie. The young couple, along with children Prince Charles and Princess Anne, lived relatively normally here. Locals respected their privacy, and Elizabeth and Philip often drove around the island or took picnics. Their home was Villa Guardamangia, a 16,791-square-foot townhouse in Guardamangia given by Philip’s uncle, Lord Louis Mountbatten. It’s now owned by the Maltese government.
Unfortunately, the villa is not currently open to the public, as it is undergoing major restoration and is being converted into a museum. If you’re planning a trip, watch the Heritage Malta website for updates—special open days were held in the past. Restoration began at the end of 2022 and is expected to last five years. Meanwhile, visitors can see the exterior and imagine the Queen’s more ordinary days before her royal duties began.
5. St. Mawes, Cornwall, England
Located on the shores of Cornwall, St. Mawes is a stunning fishing village beloved by the Queen Mother. As young girls, Princess Elizabeth and her sister Margaret often visited for a seaside escape. The royal family used to stay in Penolva, a beautiful home built by Dick Wilkins, a close friend of the Queen Mother.
The house features two terraces and a meticulously-kept garden with sea views, plus a private dock where the family arrived by boat. Today, travelers can rent this luxurious hideaway with sweeping 180° ocean views from St. Mawes Retreats—the villa sleeps up to eight.
6. Epsom Downs and Ascot Racecourse
Queen Elizabeth II was a well-known horse racing enthusiast. Many say the popularity of the sport owes much to her ongoing support and involvement. The royal family has bred racehorses since Elizabeth’s father’s reign, a tradition she proudly continued. Horses are stabled at Sandringham’s Royal Stud and trained by some of the world’s top jockeys. The Queen’s first major win came at the Epsom Oaks in 1957 with her horse Carrozza.
She attended numerous races over the years—especially the week-long Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse and the Epsom Derby at Epsom Downs. Attending one of these iconic events is an authentic way to pay homage to her love of horses. Both the Royal Ascot and Epsom Derby take place annually in June.
7. Royal Yacht Britannia
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was among the world’s most frequent travelers, visiting 117 countries during her lifetime. While she traveled by car and jet, her favorite was always the royal yacht, Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia. She once called it “the one place I can truly relax.”
The Royal Yacht Britannia was retired in 1997 due to high operating costs. Today, you can visit it in Edinburgh, explore its grand interiors, and enjoy afternoon tea in the Royal Deck Tea Room. The ship is also available for private functions.
8. Aberdare National Park, Kenya
Kenya holds special significance in Queen Elizabeth II’s story—she was there when her father, King George VI, died and when she learned she had become Queen. Elizabeth and Prince Philip were touring on the king’s behalf and staying at Kenya’s oldest safari lodge, Treetops, in Aberdare National Park. Their escort, Jim Corbett, famously wrote in Treetops’ logbook: “For the first time in history, a young girl climbed into a tree as a princess and climbed down as a queen.” The royal family’s connections to Kenya run deep. King George VI and Queen Mother also loved the country’s wild beauty.
9. Scottish Islands
The Queen enjoyed sailing aboard the Britannia to the Scottish islands, where the family would disembark on remote shores for picnics. When Britannia was retired in the ‘90s and not replaced, royal yachting ended. However, in 2006 and 2010, Queen Elizabeth II returned to cruising these islands with her family, this time on the luxury Hebridean Princess. You can explore these same waters aboard Hebridean Island Cruises.
10. Victoria, Canada
It’s said that Queen Elizabeth II was especially fond of Canada, which she visited more than any other Commonwealth country. In total, she made 22 official trips to Canada as Queen—her first was in 1951, still as Princess Elizabeth. During her visits, she stayed at the Fairmont Empress Hotel every decade since becoming Queen, and enjoyed the national parks of British Columbia. For political reasons, official visits often focused on Ottawa, but Victoria was always a favorite.
The Queen’s final Canadian visit was in 2010. “My mother once said this country felt like a home away from home for the Queen of Canada,” she once remarked. “I am happy to report it still does, and I am delighted to be among you again.”
