This romantic 18th Century thatched cottage is situated opposite the church in the picturesque Portman Estate village of Durweston, in the heart of Dorset within an area of “Outstanding Natural Beauty”. Lovingly restored in 2009, No 53 Durweston is a luxury holiday cottage that boasts a huge traditional Inglenook, oak flooring, cob walls and beams.

So you want to surprise your partner with a romantic weekend away? Noble intentions. Very thoughtful. Potentially disastrous if you get it wrong. Get it right and you’re a romantic hero. Get it wrong and you’re the person who kidnapped them to Cornwall when they had a big presentation on Monday morning. But don’t panic. We’ve got you. Here’s how to plan a surprise getaway that’ll actually work, with minimal risk of it all going horribly wrong.

This luxury retreat gives you the chance to wake up with a view of the countryside right at the end of your bed. Hidey Hole Cabin has been created as an ideal bolthole for romantics who want to experience chic and sleek design, mixed with beautiful East Sussex scenery along with the cosiness of a toasty log burner and a cinema-style projector.

Ever dreamed of whisking your loved one away to a storybook cabin where time slows down and romance blooms as naturally as the surrounding countryside? Tucked away amongst olive trees in a peaceful corner of Sussex, Olive Tree House is the rustic-luxe love nest you’ve been searching for.

Row up to your own lake-side lodge, complete with huge views, champagne treats and a private hot tub, at this Devon hideaway. The stunning Black Swan is set in 35 acres of lakes, gardens and ancient woodland, in the countryside of Cullompton. The location is an ideal spot for exploring both town and country, with the trendy historic city of Exeter nearby, along with the beautiful Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks just a hop away.

The Rose and Crown is an 18th century coaching inn set on the middle of three village greens in the picture postcard village of Romalkirk in the picturesque Teesdale valley. The Rose and Crown is, as The Sunday Telegraph phrased it, ‘seriously snug’ with its panelled walls, cosy sitting room, plenty of books and magazines, old prints and a crackling fire in the dog grate.

Head to this retreat if you want to really wind down in luxury, in peaceful surroundings. Alde Barn Cottage is full of the little – and large – extras that make a holiday special. It includes a huge private hot tub, built in its own indoor-outdoor garden room, just for you, as well as your own log burning fire, a romantic mezzanine bedroom, a nice big garden for you to enjoy, and even a Nespresso coffee machine.

Seclusion, privacy and luxury; this is Woodpeckers. Surrounded by 35 acres of lakes, gardens and woodland, you’ll struggle to find a lodge like it. With its large hot tub, whirlpool bath, jacuzzi shower and your very own rowing boat this romantic bolthole makes for a perfect Devon honeymoon retreat or short break getaway. On top of all this you will be greeted on arrival by Champagne and flowers.

Deepwell Granary is the ultimate romantic retreat. With its private gardens and access to magical woodlands complete with campfires, hammocks and a bell tent you’ll be sure to unwind and relax in no time. Inside the double height open plan living area and mezzanine style bedroom add wow factor while the stylish antique furnishings add a touch of class. Pet friendly luxury.

If you are looking for a truly inspiring escape then we think we’ve found the place for you. Treetop House is like nothing you have ever seen before, hand-crafted with a true designer’s eye. It is sat up by a gorge with a tumbling stream and panoramic views of the sea and island vistas of the West Highlands.

Stour Barn is a beautifully designed Suffolk hot tub cottage with vaulted ceilings, massive oak beams and wood flooring. With its eclectic mix of antique and modern furnishing, this single storey barn offers a perfect hot tub break for two in a very relaxed setting just outside the little Suffolk village of Stonham Aspal. And it’s pet friendly too!

For a real pampering experience for couples, we think the Mulberry Lodge is one to remember. It mixes the luxury of a spa break with the privacy of your own little lodge in the woods. This retreat is settled within the trees just a mile out of the town of Richmond, a quaint hidden gem in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s within easy reach of natural wonders like the beautiful Aysgarth Falls, and some tasty days out, for example the delights of Wensleydale and its award-winning creamery.

This has to be one of our favourite romantic retreats. Somehow Chobbs barn ticks all the right boxes; a picture perfect character exterior, beautiful interior, private garden and a very warm welcome to one of Suffolk’s hidden gems. Owners Aly and Tim have pulled off something very special here, effortlessly combining old and new.

This pet friendly romantic retreat has certainly got the wow-factor and is a great place to get away and explore the North. You’re almost touching Hadrian’s Wall here, and Orchard House Barn is close to the stunning town of Hexham and the coast and castles that give the whole of England its historic reputation. The barn is tucked in the pretty hamlet of Sandhoe, in the Tyne Valley, and offers a taste of luxury, out in the country, just a half hour hop from Newcastle.

Escape to the tranquil northern village of Warkworth for some romance and relaxation by the riverside. Your working life might be hectic but we reckon that a few days in Lane End Cottage will blow all that away. At Lane End Cottage you can wake up in a kingsize bed and enjoy great river views, and the smell of freshly brewing coffee from the cottage’s Gaggia coffee-maker.

Tucked away in the Yorkshire Dales is the beautiful village of Austwick – and tucked inside this is the quaint Spoutscroft Cottage. This romantic retreat is off the beaten track and located in some of the nicest countryside around – with Malham Cove and the Settle peaks just next door.

This is an ideal romantic retreat if you’re looking for stunning sunsets, fresh air and a great escape. Creagach Cottage, in Waternish, has panoramic views across the Loch and nearby islands, to be enjoyed best, we think, from your own living room with its toasty wood-burning stove. The owners have designed this romantic cottage with a relaxing open plan interior, and it’s perfectly placed to enjoy the beauty of the Isle of Skye.

We think this must be one of the most idyllic places to stay for a romantic break in the pretty Lincolnshire Wolds. Hill Farm Cottage is a boutique retreat tucked away in a pretty village between rolling hills and surrounded by fields, country cottages, historic churches and some of the best beaches in the UK, making it a perfect honeymoon cottage in Lincolnshire.

We think this retreat is a real gem for a couple that want to relax in luxury. The Barn in Cotleigh feels like your own swish spa, with spacious rooms and a vintage bathroom, but there’s no risk of ice rubs and plunge pools here – instead you’ve got beautiful views of the Blackdown Hills from your windows and all the countryside to explore from your doorstep.