With a second lockdown now just around the corner and the cold weather meaning weekends in, why not book a romantic retreat with your better half or a best friend to reconnect and spend some quality time together once we are out of lockdown. It would make for a lovely gift or surprise for someone that may need a boost after a month inside and it’s a great way to support other businesses by booking a staycation with them.
From seaside escapes to countryside retreats, below I give you my top 10 most romantic places to stay for a weekend away.
Barnsley House
Barnsley House, near Cirencester, is located in the beautiful Cotswold countryside. This will make for a delightful getaway for people looking to reconnect with one another and spend their days relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. You won’t even need to leave the hotel as they have their own spa which is hidden in the garden and includes a tranquil outdoor hydrotherapy pool, a sauna, and steam room and you can also indulge yourself in some of the most relaxing spa treatments. That’s not all, they also have their very own private 30 seater cinema, so if you are looking for a romantic date night, then either check out their upcoming screenings or hire the venue for yourselves and pick through their DVD library from action film to chick-flicks. If you are just looking to unwind then take a walk through their gardens and immerse yourself in nature, or why not go on a private tour of their garden and enjoy afternoon tea afterward. They have an onsite restaurant which is just divine, or across the road, they also own the Village Pub, for more relaxed, country dining.
Squirrels Nest
If you go down in the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise…as the Squrriels Nest Treehouses near Powys are a luxurious glamping staycation like no other. Feel completely switched off from the outside world as you look out to the amazing view of the countryside that surrounds your treehouse. There are so many places to just chill and watch the world go by here, from laying in the hammocks that are strung between the stilts to getting cosy in the most comfortable bed and if that isn’t enough, then soak in the bubbles of your own private hot tub with a glass of fizz in hand. With your own kitchen area in and outside, you can cook up your very own romantic meal, or why not grab a bottle of wine and toast some marshmallows outside. Check out the bath in the Cadwollen’s Treehouse for the best bath out there!
Lime Wood
If you are looking for a tranquil escape, then look no further than Lime wood Hotel. Situated in the heart of the New Forest, they offer numerous types of rooms depending on what you are looking for, from a cosy bedroom to a lakeside sanctuary or totally indulge yourself in one of their forest cottages or lodges. Lime Wood has a spa on site that has a state of the art gym, an indoor Hydro Pool with incredible views of the forest outside, a mud house and so much more. They have onsite restaurants that you will be spoilt for choice on where to eat during your stay, check out Hartnett Holder & Co for a stylish, Italian inspired restaurant, looking for a healthy meal after your spa day then head to Raw & Cured for a plant-based raw food meal.
Cabin on the Cliff
Expect to be wowed from the moment you open the door at the Cabin on the Cliff. Nestled on the cliffs of Whitsand Bay, is a luxury seaside cottage that you will want to book now for your next romantic getaway. With 2 roaring fires, a hot tub outside with the most unspoilt, amazing views out to sea, and a copper roll-top bath in the bedroom, it doesn’t get more romantic that this. If you have a four-legged friend who would like to join you on your trips, then don’t worry, they are welcome to join in the fun too. The owners of this eco-cabin have thought out every detail to make your stay even more special and even provide you with raincoats, wellies, and beach towels, so you can enjoy your stay no matter what the weather. This would make for a perfect staycation for anyone looking to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or even a honeymoon due to it being secluded and just breathtaking.
Dither and Faff
Toasting marshmallows, breakfast in bed, and lying under the stars, what more could you want for the romantic night away. Dither and Faff are the most adorable shepherd huts and don’t think you have to compromise on luxury, as they really put the glam into glamping. They have internal bathrooms, so don’t worry about any midnight toilet breaks, a comfy king-size bed, and a handcrafted kitchen just waiting for you to rustle up a dinner for two. Upon arrival, you will be treated to a beautiful breakfast hamper, which is full of a delightful selection of hot drinks and a sweet treat to indulge in. The huts are surrounded by sheep, chickens, and alpacas, so expect a warm welcome from all the local neighbours when you arrive. There is also a log fire in the hut, so you can get all snuggly and warm together in the winter months, or soak in the outdoor wood-fired hot tub outside your hut for a romantic evening.
Artist Residence
If you have ever been to any of the Artist Residence in the country you will know how beautiful the design of the rooms are, with luxury furnishings, delightful antiques, and bohemian styling. Set in the Cotswolds countryside and just a stone throws away from the incredible city of Oxford, this makes for a great retreat if you are looking for a mix of city and country life. There are many rooms to choose from whether you want one of the 5 luxurious bedrooms that are all nestled under the cosy thatch of the main building, or pick one of the three suites in the farm outbuildings, or my favourite for a romantic stay would be the exceptional Shepherd’s Hut. Whether you decide to stay in winter, then snuggle up by the roaring fire in the clubhouse with a cocktail, or in the summer, lounge about on the sunny terrace.
The Scarlet, Cornwall
Winner of the ‘Seaside Hotel of the Year’ this laid-back hotel has everything you could ever want for a romantic holiday with magnificent views of the cliffs, sea, sand, and sky. The Scarlet offers many luxurious rooms with sea views and what better way to wake up in the morning to the sound of the sea. With balconies to sit out on and watch the crashing waves, to rooms with garden to relax with a glass of wine, you will find the perfect room for you and your loved one. Surprisingly this luxury hotel also allows dogs, so you can spend your day on the beach below together. The Scarlet also has one of the most picturesque spa’s, with an indoor pool with the most insane views out to the sea and one of the most perfect hot tub locations, situated outside on the cliffside so you can really soak up all the views.
Outbuildings
If you are looking for a real family-run business to support and stay at then the Outbuildings with their luxury rustic rooms are for you. It has been running since 2009 and really is a family effort, from the cleaning to plumbing and from interior design to creating artwork for the walls. They will make you feel like you’re visiting family in the countryside for a few days yet invisible unless needed and are always on hand to make anything your stay more special and memorable. They have four rooms available for you to choose from and trust me you will find it hard which one to pick for your stay as all rooms have been so beautifully designed they offer a country, cosy charm to them. They all offer some sort of outside space, whether you want to look over the countryside or the pond, and provide BBQ’s in all the rooms. Dogs are also allowed to stay here which again is a massive bonus for me so that Morris doesn’t miss out on our holidays away. They also can provide you with some extras to make your welcome even more magical like hampers, so check our their extras when you book your stay. The Outbuildings is really THE place to stay in West Dorset, so get booking your next romantic staycation with them now and you won’t be disappointed.
Cheshire Boutique Barns
Looking for a romantic spot, to maybe pop the question? Then it doesn’t get much better than Cheshire Boutique Barns. They are an award winning, 5*, unique, boutique retreat and they tick every box. When we arrived for our stay, we were made to feel so special and the luxury began as soon as we stepped through the door. They had lit candles around the barn and left a cute note to welcome us (due to covid-19 we weren’t able to meet the owners unfortunately) and left us fresh mint and lemon balm for our Gin and Tonics. The Cowshed boasts a real fire, and a wonderful hidden outdoor bath under a glass roof so you can lay in the bath or get cosy on the seats outside and listen to the rain hitting the roof or look up at the night sky and count the stars. It has a romantic mezzanine bedroom with THE comfiest White Company beds and quirky yet luxurious interiors fill every room in the barn. The Cowshed can sleep 4 people, so as well as the mezzanine bedroom, it also has a bedroom downstairs with another huge hidden bath in the room with shutters that open up to the living room. It really is bedroom and bath goals!
Read all about my stay at Cheshire Boutique Barns here.
The Pig
The Pig has seven country hotels around England including the beautiful New Forest, Cornwall, and Kent, so I couldn’t pick one for you to stay at as they are all perfect for a romantic retreat (I’m hoping to slowly make my way around each one!) They class themselves as restaurants with rooms as the focus of The Pig, is on the food they provide as they try and produce as much as they can themselves in their kitchen gardens or source from within 25-miles, so for foodie lovers, this is an unforgettable night away for you. The Pigs all offer various rooms, from cosy snugs in the main Hotel to quirky accommodations such as Forest cabins and huts in the New Forest, The bothy in Studland, and Garden Wagons in Harlyn Bay. I would recommend taking some time to find the best location for you and then seeing which room suits you best, or if you aren’t fussed on location then go and have a look at each Pig and see which room takes your fancy.
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