The Most Romantic Things to this Valentine's Day
Create unforgettable moments this Valentine's Day with these romantic ideas that capture the essence of love and luxury. Whether you're planning an intimate celebration or a lavish getaway, this year's most romantic day deserves to be marked in style. From candlelit dinners in award-winning restaurants to peaceful walks through historic grounds, discover how to make this February 14th truly special.
1. Take a Romantic Stroll
Gentle walks through beautiful surroundings offer one of life's simplest yet most romantic pleasures. Winter brings its own magic - crisp air, quieter paths, and the chance to be close for warmth. Pack a luxury picnic with champagne, artisanal chocolates, and warming treats like homemade soup in a thermos. Choose paths with scenic viewpoints for the perfect place to pause and enjoy your feast.
For the most romantic experience, time your walk for golden hour - that magical time just before sunset when the light turns everything golden. Pack extra layers, a blanket to sit on, and perhaps battery-operated tea lights for added atmosphere as dusk falls.
Our properties offer beautiful grounds for romantic walks. Wander through seven acres of landscaped gardens at Bath Spa Hotel, explore the historic grounds of Alveston Manor where Shakespeare's plays may have been first performed, or enjoy peaceful lakeside strolls at our Lake District hotels.
2. Enjoy a Special Meal Together
Winter is the perfect season for romantic dining, with seasonal ingredients lending themselves to intimate, candlelit meals. February menus often feature rich, warming dishes perfect for sharing - think chocolate fondants oozing with molten centres or sharing boards of local delicacies.
Our award-winning restaurants hold over forty AA Rosettes for culinary excellence, including two restaurants with the highest accolade of three AA Rosettes. Our chefs create seasonal menus using premium ingredients - Scottish beef aged for 21 days, fresh wild salmon, and local game all feature in our menus.
For a different kind of dining experience, our traditional afternoon tea offers a wonderfully British way to celebrate. Enjoy delicate finger sandwiches with seasonal fillings, freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, and an array of pastries. Add a glass of champagne to make it extra special. Available across our properties from £30-£40 per person, with a sparkling wine or champagne upgrade option from £45-£60 per person.
3. Relax with a Spa Day
Nothing says romance quite like escaping the world together in a luxury spa. A couple's spa day offers the perfect mix of quality time and pure relaxation. Start with a swim in a tranquil pool, enjoy the therapeutic benefits of thermal experiences, and emerge feeling completely refreshed.
Our 16 luxury spas offer packages designed specifically for couples including ELEMIS or Ishga treatments tailored to your needs. Unwind together in our thermal suites, featuring experiences like saunas, aromatherapy steam rooms, and ice fountains.
4. Go Stargazing
Winter offers the perfect conditions for stargazing, with early darkness and crisp, clear skies. Create a cosy outdoor nest with plenty of blankets, cushions, and a thermos of hot chocolate (perhaps with a splash of something warming). Bring a star chart or download a stargazing app to help identify constellations. Look out for winter favourites like Orion and the Plough.
Our rural Scottish properties like Aviemore offer exceptional dark sky viewing opportunities. The Old England Hotel & Spa in the Lake District provides perfect stargazing conditions away from city lights. Or Linden Hall in Northumberland is also renowned for dark skies. Our staff can recommend the best viewing spots for your celestial adventure.
5. Escape for a Short Break
Sometimes the most romantic gift is time away together. Choose a destination that offers a mix of relaxation and activities you both enjoy. Whether it's a historic city, lakeside retreat, or countryside escape, a short break creates lasting memories.
Discover some of our favourite romantic destinations:
The Lake District
Discover why poets and writers have long been inspired by England's most beautiful region. Take an early morning cruise on Windermere when the lake is at its most serene, mist rising from the water. For adventurous couples, hire a private rowing boat and pack a picnic to find your own secluded bay.
The Ullswater area offers spectacular walking opportunities - try the lake shore path from Glenridding to Howtown, returning by steamer. In winter, cosy pubs with roaring fires provide perfect respite after a day's exploring. Don't miss the sunset from Orrest Head - a relatively easy walk rewarded with panoramic views across the lake and fells.
Stay at our Old England Hotel & Spa, right on Windermere's shore, or choose the Georgian elegance of Leeming House on peaceful Ullswater. Both offer perfect bases for your Lake District adventure, with ideal facilities for post-walk relaxation and restaurants serving local specialties.
Bath
Romance permeates every corner of this UNESCO World Heritage city. Start your day with a visit to the Roman Baths, a remarkably preserved archaeological site. Follow this with a rooftop swim at Thermae Bath Spa, watching the sun set over the city's honey-coloured stone. Take a romantic walk along the Royal Crescent, then down through the cobbled streets to beautiful Pulteney Bridge.
For Valentine's Day, many of Bath's historic venues offer special events such as at The Forum where The Bath Philharmonia is hosting a Valentine's Day concert featuring Brazilian violinist Guido Sant'Anna. Our Bath Spa Hotel, set in seven acres of gardens, provides the perfect Georgian backdrop for your romantic break.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Let Shakespeare's hometown work its romantic magic. Take a twilight stroll along the River Avon, passing the famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Book tickets for a performance - the intimate Swan Theatre offers a particularly special experience. Visit Anne Hathaway's Cottage, with its heart-shaped lavender maze and tale of Shakespeare's own romance.
River cruises offer a unique perspective on the town. Learn about Tudor love stories on a ghost walk, then warm up in one of Stratford's historic pubs. The Butterfly Farm provides a tropical escape on cold days, while the Big Wheel offers romantic views over the town.
Our Alveston Manor hosts its own Shakespeare-inspired romance, with grounds that may have seen the first performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The Tudor building creates an appropriately historic atmosphere for your Stratford stay.
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds seems designed for romantic breaks, with its honey-stone villages and rolling hills. Visit Bibury, described by William Morris as England's most beautiful village, especially enchanting in the quiet early morning. Explore the hidden corners of Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds'.
Take a romantic walk in Blenheim Palace's extensive grounds, followed by a champagne afternoon tea at our hotel. For a unique experience, book a couples' cookery class at one of the area's renowned cookery schools.
The Bear Hotel in Woodstock places you perfectly for exploring both the Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace. This 13th-century coaching inn offers historic charm combined with modern luxury.
Loch Lomond
Experience Highland romance in one of Scotland's most beautiful settings. Take a private champagne cruise around the loch's islands, including Inchmurrin with its romantic ruins. For active couples, hire kayaks to explore hidden coves, or take a guided walk in the Trossachs National Park.
Don't miss a visit to Glengoyne Distillery for a whisky tasting experience. As evening falls, enjoy a lochside dinner watching the sun set behind the mountains. Winter brings the chance of seeing the Northern Lights - a truly magical experience.
Our Forest Hills Hotel & Spa offers stunning loch views and access to both water activities and mountain trails. The award-winning restaurant specialises in romantic dinners featuring local Scottish produce.
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Whether you're planning a special meal, relaxing spa day, or romantic getaway, we're here to help make your Valentine's Day unforgettable.
