As the nation waits with bated breath for the now-overdue Royal Baby, it appears that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s pregnancy has sparked the biggest baby boom in 40 years. New figures suggest that more than 700,000 babies will be born in England this year – the highest number since 1971, according to the Royal College of Midwives.

In anticipation of the arrival of the latest addition to the Royal Family, VisitEngland rounds up some of the best holidays and experiences on offer for new families, as two become three…

Baby in Tow
His or Her Royal Highness the Prince or Princess of Cambridge will likely spend a great deal of their childhood at London’s Kensington Palace where the Duke and Duchess will reside. To mark the occasion, the nearby Hilton London Kensington has created a ‘Tot-ter Around Kensington’ package. Guests can enjoy a two-night shopping break, ideal for mother-daughter bonding and mums-to-be. The package includes a two-night stay at the stylish Hilton London Kensington, with each guest receiving a VIP card for Westfield London Shopping Centre, situated directly opposite the hotel. The VIP card entitles shoppers to offers and discounts of up to 20% from over 80 stores and restaurants. Stylish mums-to-be can stock up on baby treats from stores including Bébé Bisou, Mamas & Papas and Atelier de Courcelles. Price dependent on availability.

Meanwhile, one of the luxury suites at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane has been transformed into a five-star nursery for jet-setting babies. The hotel has teamed up with bespoke nursery designers Dragons of Walton Street and transformed a Premium Park View Suite into a quintessentially English nursery, designed and tailored with a royal baby in mind. Dragons of Walton Street has a historic association with the Royal Family, with William and Harry, Beatrice and Eugenie all growing up in a Dragons nursery. Inspired by the suite’s idyllic views of Hyde Park and the hotel’s history, this latest creation is fitted with bespoke, hand crafted and painted furniture.  The pièce de résistance is a beautiful dolls house toy cupboard hand painted to represent Grosvenor House’s signature architecture.

Outside the capital, Cornwall’s Bedruthan Steps Hotel has a ‘Welcome to the World’ break, offering new mums and dads a helping hand through their first year of parenting. The package encourages new parents to deepen their bond with their new arrival through baby massage, swimming and yoga classes. The break includes workshops with psychologist Dr Sarah Mundy on some approaches to the challenges that new parents face. The hotel aims to take the pressures off you and take care of your every need – no need to worry about cooking, washing, cleaning or tidying up here. If you need some time out, the expert childcare team is on hand to allow you to experience some ‘me’ time to stroll the spectacular coast path, relax by the pool, have a Mama Mio massage treatment or spend quality time with your partner.