Our top 10 romantic breaks in the UK

If you are in desperate need of a break from everyday life then take a look at some of our favourite romantic places to visit and the romantic cottages we have found nearby.

A tranquil Lake District hideaway - Winster

Cumbria’s countryside is breath-taking. Its great English Lakes and fell-top panoramas have made it a favoured destination for poets and romantics for generations. This northern retreat has become increasingly popular, but we know of several secret spots for a thoroughly tranquil escape. One of our favourites is the Winster Valley, which offers some of the best scenery, walks and pubs in district. Eat and drink at The Masons Arms at Strawberry Bank or The Brown Horse Inn at Winster. Stay at The Bothy at Cowmire Hall or Headswood Cottage.

A Scottish coastal beauty spot - Ardfern Peninsular south of Oban

This is one of our favourite romantic retreats. Oban, in south west Scotland, boasts wonderful scenery, rare peace and quiet, seal spotting and that elusive ‘away from it all’ feeling. Eat local seafood served at the Crafty Kitchen - last time we went they were serving langoustines caught that morning. Stay at The Granary near Lochgilphead or Goose Cottage near Oban.

Luxurious Ludlow retreats and tasty tips from The Welsh Borders

The Welsh Borders is great place to head to if you are a food lover, with scores of restaurants including the Michelin star Mr Underhill’s in Ludlow, on the doorstep. Couples can stroll through the picturesque Hampton Court Gardens, just south of Ludlow, and take a day trip to the amazing medieval Powis Castle, with one of the most impressive painting collections in Wales. Stay at Brook Farm, near Berrington, a lovely B&B with self catering accommodation just over the border into England in the lovely Teme Valley.

Wild breaks for freedom-seekers in West Coast Scotland

If are looking for wild and windswept countryside, romantic drives, and untouched coastlines then the west coast of Scotland is hard to beat. Head north from Ullapool on the A835, out of season you can drive miles without seeing another car. A little B&B with the most romantic view in the world is Stonechats Croft just south of Scourie. This is a gem, with stunning mountain views from your bed. Stonechats is a working croft, not a place for pampered luxury but is ideal for romantics who love Scotland and want to get away from it all. The hospitality of Ron, the owner, is outstanding - he also can give you directions to the most remote and romantic beach in Britain – Sandwood Bay, where you can enjoy deserted pinkish white sands.

Charming English escapes steeped in history at Suffolk

Fancy a taste of classic English countryside? From the wetland Broads in the north to the beautiful wool towns in the south; the shimmering greenery of the west to the stunning coast in the east – Suffolk offers the chance to step out of the humdrum of everyday life and take a timeless trip away. Visit the county town of Ipswich, with 800 years of history and its waterfront, restaurants and heritage. Smell the flowers that line the Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds. Taste the finest fish and chips as the tide creeps in at Aldeburgh. Suffolk is a relaxed - we love Grove Cottages, some of the best cottages for romantic breaks are here Romantic Breaks in Suffolk.

Our favourite fishing village and top cream teas in Devon

There is something nostalgic about a trip to the Devon seaside - just the thought of a romantic weekend away there brings an instant smile. We prefer the south coast to the rocky north. Beer is an unspoilt little fishing village and a favourite of ours. It is touristy in season but definitely worth the trip to the lovely beach with plenty of opportunities for a cream tea nearby. The Owlery close to South Devon’s finest beaches and a great place for a romantic retreat away. There are plenty of places to tempt the tastebuds nearby, including The Fortescue Arms, an old world pub in East Allington, and the 14th century Start Bay Inn, at Torcross.

The city slicker’s escape to Sussex countryside

Need to escape inner city stress? In less than two hours you can escape London and retreat to the rolling countryside of the South Downs National Park. Visit the dreamy town of Arundel and dignified big sister Chichester, explore the county’s winding country lanes and scout out its remarkable Roman ruins. This gem of a cottage is under two hour’s drive from London - you can relax on the veranda of a beautiful country escape with staggering views across the rolling countryside of the South Downs: there really is no need to go anywhere else! Privacy is assured - you are secluded from any other property, and breakfast and supper can be arranged…bliss! The Cottage in the Garden provides a perfect romantic break in Sussex.

A cosy nook for beach lovers in Cornwall

We can’t ignore Cornwall – with over 300 miles of coastline, numerous beaches, fantastic coastal footpaths and magical walks. The southern countryside is ideal for couples who are searching for a natural beauty spot. If you’re a ‘true foodie’ and fancy a romantic gourmet break, treat yourselves to dinner at The Harbour, a cosy intimate restaurant nestled at the top of the slipway in Port Isaac, North Cornwall, where visitors can enjoy a feast full of seasonal ingredients and freshly caught fish! Stay at Abbey Stables, tucked away in a romantic courtyard in the historic heart of Penzance.

Top Luxury spots and a quirky cinema in Lincolnshire

This charming Midland’s county offers beautiful stone towns, gothic architecture, the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds and the fresh air rolling in from the sea at Skegness. Couples can Eat and drink at the Penny Farthing Inn, at Timberland. We recommend you try their roast chicken with garlic and thyme and their real ales too, as a special lunchtime treat. Those looking for a show-stopping evening meal should head for the award-winning Old Bakery, at Lincoln, which locals have tipped for us as a hotspot for luxury dining. Visit Lincoln’s grand Gothic Cathedral and see England’s finest example of the Magna Carta at Lincoln’s medieval Castle. Or, for a more quirky experience, head to the beautiful village of Woodhall Spa, enjoy their unique shops and head to the Kinema – a traditional cinema which started life as a sports and entertainment pavilion in the late nineteenth Century. You can stay at The Hayloft, just outside of Lincoln. This luxurious converted eighteenth century stables is a true romantic haven, with wooden floors, high beams, a cosy wood burning stove and a romantic copper bath.

A romantic route through the picture-perfect Cotswolds

It wouldn’t be right to advise on top romantic places to stay without mentioning The Cotswolds – England’s own lovers’ capital. Meander through quaint sand-stoned villages, and into the scenes that you thought only existed in postcards with rustic cottages and rolling countryside. You can drive from Broadway, passing the beautiful Stanway House stately home, and several Cotswold hill villages, which includes Naunton, Upper and Lower Slaughter, and Bourton on the Water, known as the Little Venice of the Cotswolds. Continue on to the ancient Market Town of Stow on the Water and back north to Broadway Tower, for views over the village of Broadway the Vale and the Welsh mountains. Eat a sophisticated lunch at popular British Bistro, The Vine Leaf, at Stow on the Wold, or treat yourself to a decandent meal at Wild Thyme Restaurant, at Chipping Norton, which serves local Tamworth pork, Barrington Estate partridge and a hearty Bouillabaisse fish stew. Stay at any of these gorgeous retreats in The Cotswolds.

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