Want an escape for two? From a countryside manor ideal for food lovers to a cosy Lake District retreat, these are the best luxurious places to get away from it all.
Four-poster beds, swathes of idyllic countryside, relaxing spas, sumptuous restaurants and chilled bottles of Champagne… these hotels are unabashedly romantic. And with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there’s no better time to book a loved-up getaway. Here’s our pick of the best escapes for February and beyond.
1. The Swan at Lavenham Hotel & Spa, Suffolk, England
This 15th-century inn has it all: crackling log fires, thick oak beams and more nooks and crannies than you can shake a stick at. The Swan at Lavenham Hotel & Spa’s pièce de résistance is the new split-level Priory Suite, which has a four-poster bed, roll-top bath, wood-burning stove and a private garden.
Didn’t manage to bag the Priory Suite? The Churchyard Suite, part of the Constable Suites, is a great alternative – you’ll find mullion windows, a ridiculously cosy lounge area and a gorgeous vaulted ceiling, and you’ll be able to order added extras such a bottle of Champagne or chocolates.
Doubles from £145 on a B&B basis.
2. Marine North Berwick, North Berwick, Scotland
Couples who stay at this rural Scottish retreat can soak up fabulous views of the Firth of Forth before signing up for a couple’s massage in the spa or feasting on local seafood at the hotel’s restaurant. Keen to offset your indulgences? We prescribe a romantic walk along the beach in front of Marine North Berwick, or you can simply admit defeat and snuggle up in the hotel’s gorgeous public areas which are explosions of Art Deco-themed opulence.
Doubles from £189 on a B&B basis.
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3. The Tawny, Staffordshire, England
Romantic walks don’t get much better than the ones on offer at Staffordshire’s The Tawny, which is surrounded by 70 acres of wonderfully wild gardens.
Accommodation options include tree houses, boathouses and shepherds’ huts, and the hotel’s Plumicorn restaurant is fantastic, with a menu filled with local, seasonal produce. Couples can sign up for a wide range of experiences (we recommend cranking up the romance with a stargazing session) and the hotel has bikes to rent too.
Doubles from £230 on a B&B basis.
4. Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire, England
Fancy splashing the cash? Book a stay at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, where you can feast on Michelin-starred cuisine from celebrated chef Raymond Blanc, before retreating to one of the hotel’s beautiful suites. We recommend the Lace suite, which has been modelled on a French boudoir (the classy version, to be clear) and has a four-poster bed and vast expanses of crushed silk and rich velvets.
The hotel offers wedding and honeymoon packages, and there’s a huge range of activities to sign up for, whether you fancy exploring the Oxfordshire countryside in a vintage car or immortalising your weekend away with a private photoshoot in the hotel’s grounds.
Doubles from £1,015 on a B&B basis.
5. Culloden Estate and Spa, Belfast, Northern Ireland
This urban retreat is proof that the most romantic spots aren’t necessarily the most remote ones. It's had the A-lister stamp of approval too – Victoria and David Beckham have enjoyed a romantic escape at Culloden Estate, which is surrounded by woodland, perfect for those all-important romantic strolls.
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Staff pride themselves on offering a huge range of experiences designed with lovebirds in mind, whether it’s special dinners or couple’s massages. Opt for the Romance and Bubbles package and you’ll get overnight accommodation, breakfast in bed, two bottles of prosecco, a candlelit dinner and a selection of ESPA bath oils. We’re swooning just thinking about it.
Doubles from £240 on a B&B basis.
6. The Cottage in the Wood, Malvern, England
A boutique hotel perched high above the Malvern Hills, The Cottage in the Wood screams romance. The name’s somewhat confusing as there are 32 rooms at this beautiful hotel, but don’t let that put you off – it’s a great spot for couples craving incredible views, delicious food and bedrooms you’ll want to move into.
For extra privacy, book a room in the Coach House, where rooms have gorgeous private terraces. For Valentine’s Day, the hotel has rolled out a special five-course tasting menu, although we also love the Champagne-soaked Galentine’s Day packages – designed for those who wish to spend the day with their mum, sister or best friend instead.
Doubles from £129 on a B&B basis.
7. Roch Castle, Haverfordwest, Wales
It doesn’t get more romantic than a castle, especially when the castle in question comes with breathtaking views over the Pembrokeshire countryside. This fabulous fortress was built in 1280 and was once home to Lucy Walter, a former lover of King Charles II, and it’s been filled with priceless artworks and period furniture. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy pre-dinner drinks on the castle’s battlements.
There are just six bedrooms at Roch Castle and activities range from medieval tasting experiences (banish any thoughts of gnawing on a chicken leg – the menu’s all about delicacies like chicken parfait and lemon salad) to foraging masterclasses. If you want to make it a real stay to remember, there are proposal packages on offer too.
Doubles from £250 on a B&B basis.
8. Congham Hall, Norfolk, England
A beautiful rural retreat in the Norfolk wilds, Congham Hall has always been a popular spot for romantic getaways, although the romance factor was recently cranked up with the addition of five Orchard Cabins, hidden away in the hotel’s apple orchard. Valentine’s Day-worthy perks include freestanding outdoor bathtubs.
We recommend dinner at the two-AA-rosette restaurant before a stroll through the hotel’s fragrant herb garden. There are some brilliant activities to sign up for too. Our favourite is the self-guided Crab Crawl which takes in Norfolk’s best seafood restaurants.
Doubles from £159 on a room-only basis.
9. The Yan, Lake District, England
Another hotel with just a handful of rooms (seven, to be exact), The Yan is a gorgeous family-run hotel close to the Lake District village of Grasmere. The romance factor is high here – the rooms are both luxurious and snug, and there are endless opportunities for romantic walks.
Make sure you enjoy dinner in the hotel’s bistro run by the owners’ daughter Jess and her other half, Will. There’s an abundance of sharing-style dishes (which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your willingness to share) and the restaurant has the wonderful cosiness of an alpine chalet. Jess and Will opened the bistro after managing a chalet in the French Alps.
From £240 for a dinner, bed and breakfast package for two people.
READ MORE: Our guide to the Lake District
10. The Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall, England
Perched on a clifftop overlooking Mawgan Porth’s famous golden sands, The Scarlet is an adults-only retreat filled with all the extras for a loved-up weekend away – think log-fire-heated hot tubs, a beautiful wooden sauna and sustainably-caught seafood (and yes, there are oysters).
It’s a brilliant option for eco-conscious couples because sustainability is a priority at the hotel, whether it’s the slow-aged wines, the use of reeds and algae instead of chemicals to clean the pool and the sea thrift-lined roof. There are some brilliant packages for two. Our favourite? The Elopers package, designed for couples planning a wedding with between two to six guests.
Doubles from £245 on a B&B basis.
Lead image: Adrian Houston/ Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons