June 13th 2024.
The South Coast was my ultimate choice for a babymoon destination. As my pregnancy progressed, I found myself humbled in more ways than one. From the physical discomforts of backaches and pelvic pain to the emotional rollercoaster and endless cravings, I had a newfound respect for the miracle of creating life. However, it was the constant exhaustion that really took a toll on me. Despite being lucky enough to have a relatively easy pregnancy compared to my friends, I couldn't ignore the fact that growing a tiny human inside me was equivalent to running an ultramarathon. It's no wonder that many pregnant women crave rest and a break from it all.
Babymoons have become a popular trend among my pregnant friends, especially for first-time moms like myself who don't have other children to take care of. During my early second trimester, when my energy levels were at their peak and I could still put on my shoes without feeling like a blue whale, I had daydreams of lounging on a sunny beach in a cute bikini, with a mocktail in hand, and my bump glowing. But as my pregnancy progressed, the thought of traveling internationally and enduring the heat became less appealing. Long airport lines, a cramped flight, and being far from my midwife and hospital were not my idea of a relaxing babymoon.
But I didn't have to look too far for inspiration, as it turns out that babymoon staycations are all the rage. In fact, even the royals have opted for a UK babymoon. In 2022, actress Catherine Tyldesley stayed at a luxury spa retreat in Somerset before the birth of her second child. Peter and Emily Andre enjoyed a weekend at a Hampshire resort before welcoming their third child. And in 2019, Harry and Meghan spent three nights at a five-star hotel in Hampshire before the birth of their son, Archie.
Considering that a UK babymoon was good enough for the royals, it was more than good enough for me. Plus, being seven months pregnant, my travel priorities had shifted. I was no longer interested in fast-paced sightseeing or dancing until the early hours. My main focus was on finding peace and good food. And that's exactly what the south coast had to offer.
We chose the Isle of Portland in Dorset as our destination, known for its iconic Chesil Beach, beautiful walks along the Jurassic Coast, and delicious fresh crab. We stayed at Clifftops, a stunning development of luxury lodges perched on the Portland stone cliffs, overlooking the Pennsylvania Castle Estate. Our lodge was spacious, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a huge terrace with a hot tub and breathtaking views of the ocean.
Fortunately, we had great weather during our stay, and we made the most of our terrace by having breakfast outside, reading, and soaking up the views. My partner even woke up at 6 am to catch the sunrise, which unfortunately didn't happen due to the sea mist but was still a beautiful experience. Clifftops offered self-catering options, and we took advantage of that by stocking up on fancy breakfast items and snacks from M&S. But they also offer breakfast and evening meal services if you don't feel like cooking.
On our first night, we had a partially prepared dinner waiting for us in the lodge, which was essentially a fancy version of Gusto. A bottle of wine, a creamy fish pie, and a mango cheesecake were all ready to be heated up in the oven, making for a stress-free and delicious dinner.
Our lodge, Ope Lodge, exuded a sense of calm and relaxation. From the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered stunning views to the comfortable and modern furnishings, it was the perfect place to unwind and recharge. But when we did venture out, we were not disappointed by the local sights.
The best part of our trip was spending uninterrupted time together. Away from our busy lives and baby preparations, we were able to reconnect and enjoy each other's company without any distractions. We turned off our alarms and spent lazy mornings in bed, bringing each other coffee and simply enjoying the luxury of having nothing to do. In the evenings, we watched movies on the sofa, something that we rarely get to do at home, and it was a lovely way to relax and bond.
As someone who used to be a fitness enthusiast, I never thought I would have to limit my daily steps due to pregnancy-related pelvic pain. But thankfully, there were plenty of gentle walks to choose from on the Isle of Portland. And one of the highlights of our trip was visiting the Church of Ope Cove.
All in all, our babymoon on the south coast was everything I had hoped for and more. It was the perfect combination of peace, good food, and quality time with my partner. And I couldn't have asked for a better destination than the stunning Isle of Portland.
The South Coast was an obvious choice for our babymoon destination. As my pregnancy progresses, I find myself feeling humbled in more ways than one. The back aches and pelvic pains have been difficult to handle, along with the rollercoaster of emotions and constant cravings. But the one thing that truly caught me off guard was the exhaustion. Even though my pregnancy has been relatively smooth compared to some of my friends, I can't help but feel drained and in desperate need of rest. It's no surprise that creating new life takes a toll on the body, comparable to running an ultramarathon.
Babymoons have become a popular trend among my pregnant friends, especially for first-time moms like me who don't have other children to think about. In the beginning of my second trimester, when my energy levels were at their peak and I could still put on my shoes without groaning like a blue whale, I had grand visions of lounging in a bikini with a mocktail in hand, basking in the sun and taking dips in the ocean. But as my pregnancy progressed, the thought of traveling internationally and being far from my midwife and hospital became less appealing.
Long airport lines, a cramped flight, and trying to relax in a different country than my healthcare providers? No, thank you. But luckily, I didn't have to look far for babymoon inspiration. As it turns out, staycations are all the rage. In 2022, actress Catherine Tyldesley stayed at a luxury spa retreat in Somerset before the birth of her second child. In February, Peter and Emily Andre enjoyed a weekend at a five-star hotel in Hampshire before their third child was born. Even the royals have indulged in a UK babymoon, with Harry and Meghan staying at a five-star hotel before the birth of their son, Archie.
Considering that my travel priorities have shifted now that I'm seven months pregnant, I'm no longer interested in fast-paced sightseeing or bustling nightlife. My main focus is on finding peace and good food. And for that, the south coast seemed like the perfect destination. We decided on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, known for its iconic Chesil Beach, scenic walks along the Jurassic Coast, and delicious fresh crab.
We stayed at Clifftops, a beautiful lodge nestled in the Portland stone cliffs on the Pennsylvania Castle Estate. Our lodge was spacious and luxurious, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a large terrace with a hot tub and stunning views of the ocean. The weather was on our side during our visit, allowing us to fully enjoy the terrace and its breathtaking views. My partner even woke up early one morning to catch the sunrise, while I opted for a few extra hours of sleep. Although the sunrise was obscured by the sea mist, he assured me that the "blue hour" was still a sight to behold.
Clifftops is fully equipped for self-catering, which was perfect for us. We drove from our home in London and stopped at M&S to stock up on breakfast items and snacks to satisfy my cravings. But if cooking isn't your thing, you can also arrange for breakfast and dinner to be delivered to your lodge. On our first night, we enjoyed a pre-prepared dinner of fish pie and vegetables, along with a decadent mango cheesecake for dessert. It was the fanciest version of a Gusto meal we've ever had.
The lodge itself exuded a sense of calm, with floor-to-ceiling windows, comfortable beds, and modern furnishings. I could have easily spent the entire trip within those four walls, but we did venture out to explore the local sights. The highlight of the trip, however, was simply spending uninterrupted time with my fiancé. Away from our daily routines and responsibilities, we were able to reconnect, have fun, and get excited about the impending arrival of our little one.
We took leisurely walks around the island, taking in the beautiful views and enjoying the fresh sea air. As someone who used to love intense cardio workouts, I never thought I would have to limit my daily steps due to pregnancy-related pelvic pain. But thankfully, the Isle of Portland offered plenty of options for gentle walks. We also visited the Church of Ope Cove, a beautiful spot that is definitely worth a visit.
All in all, our babymoon on the south coast was exactly what we needed. A peaceful and relaxing getaway with stunning views, delicious food, and quality time spent together. It was a reminder to slow down and enjoy the present moment before our lives change forever with the arrival of our little one. If it's good enough for the royals, it's more than good enough for us.
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