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10 best Valentine’s Day getaways

Looking for somewhere to book for 14 February? Or just seeking a venue for a romantic weekend at any time of year? Either way, try one of these special places to stay.

Kate Hilpern

Tuesday 21 January 2014 20:06 GMT

Looking for the ultimate love nest for this year’s Valentine’s Day? Or any other weekend when you want spend some quality time together. From country hotels to gypsy caravans, we have found the most romantic places in the UK to escape to for a short break.

If you want to get away from it all, the The Lazy Fish in Cumbria is a striking converted barn set in beautiful countryside that has everything you need for a dreamy weekend away. If, on the other hand, you want a Valentine’s package that involves supreme luxury and includes the champers right through to a specially designed dinner, the Vineyard in Berkshire is a treat you’ll never forget.

Others may wish to indulge their loved one with a stay at an outstanding country pub, such as The Crown in Old Amersham, or a residential spa, such as Ragdale Hall in Leicestershire, where couples can truly relax.

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10 best Valentine’s Day getaways

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10 best Valentine’s Day getaways

The Crown, Buckinghamshire

This cosy country pub, in the pretty market town of Old Amersham, gained fame when it appeared in Four Weddings and a Funeral. It’s had a facelift since then but the original charm remains. From £140 a night, mrandmrssmith.com

10 best Valentine’s Day getaways

Chewton Glen, New Forest

Stay in one of this country house hotel’s new treehouse suites, where you can indulge in a 90-minute hot oil candle treatment, star-gaze from the deck of your wrap-around balcony and cosy-up in front of the log-burning stove before enjoying a candlelit-dinner for two. Package £1,170 a couple, chewtonglen.com

10 best Valentine’s Day getaways

Karlotta, Scottish Borders

Karlotta is a rather special Gypsy caravan. With decorative hand carving, carefully sourced furniture and exotic fabrics and a cosy wood burner, this room for two situated in a meadow just below the Eildon Hills, is a real retreat. From £95 a night, canopyandstars.co.uk

10 best Valentine’s Day getaways

The Ampersand, London

The Valentine package at this top-rated boutique hotel across the road from South Kensington tube includes a room with fabulous city views, a luxurious kingsize bed and a couple-sized, free freestanding bath. A nice touch is the book of love poetry on the bed. Rooms from £280, ampersandhotel.com

10 best Valentine’s Day getaways

The Lazy Fish, Cumbria

This converted two-bedroom barn in the northern Lake District has everything you need for an amorous self-catering weekend — oval bath, oversize bed and wood burning stove — all set in a beautiful open countryside. A private chef is available if you feel indulgent. £496 for 3 nights, thelazyfish.co.uk

10 best Valentine’s Day getaways

The Vineyard, Berkshire

This always used to call itself a “restaurant with rooms” and it certainly is a place to indulge the palate, with the chef commonly referred to as the champion of modern French cooking. But the topnotch rooms and spa are alone worth the visit. For Valentine’s Day, you get to create your own romantic tasting dinner menu and they’ll pair the wines. Package £469 a couple, the-vineyard.co.uk

10 best Valentine’s Day getaways

YHA Grinton Lodge, North Yorkshire

The Youth Hostel Association has some fabulous “Poshtels” offering private ensuite bedrooms in some amazing locations and stunning buildings. This one, in the Yorkshire Dales, has a fabulous honeymoon suite, which anyone can book. Rooms from £35, yha.org.uk

10 best Valentine’s Day getaways

Ragdale Hall, Leicestershire

The facilities at this luxury spa hotel are impressive (their Candle Pool with a starry-lit ceiling is particularly romantic), the food is first-rate and the staff really friendly. A Valentine’s two-night break includes a bottle of champers, a massage, all meals and facilities. Package £680 per couple, ragdalehall.co.uk

10 best Valentine’s Day getaways

The Cobbles, Cornwall

This sympathetically modernised 18th-century fisherman’s cottage overlooks Polperro beach and the harbour mouth. It’s a short walk from the 16th-century Cornish fishing village and there are sea views from most rooms. £486 for 3 nights, toadhallcottages.co.uk

10 best Valentine’s Day getaways

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire

Around 25 Michelin-starred chefs trained here, so what better place for foodie couples to work on their skills? Join the patisserie course on 14 February in the Raymond Blanc Cooking School and, if you can, book the night in a sumptuous bedroom. Rooms from £890 per night, manoir.com

Verdict:

If you’re after a Valentine’s package that includes everything from champagne to candlelit dinner, Chewton Glen in the New Forest has a real wow factor. For something a bit quirky, Karlotta is the most fabulous gypsy caravan we’ve ever come across, situated in the stunning countryside of the Scottish borders. And for great value, YHA Grinton Lodge, North Yorkshire has a surprisingly impressive honeymoon suite.

Buy now

1. The Crown, Buckinghamshire; From £140 a night, mrandmrssmith.com

2. Chewton Glen, New Forest; Package £1,170 a couple, chewtonglen.com

3. Karlotta, Scottish Borders; From £95 a night, canopyandstars.co.uk

4. The Ampersand, London; Rooms from £280, ampersandhotel.com

5. The Lazy Fish, Cumbria; £496 for 3 nights, thelazyfish.co.uk

6. The Vineyard, Berkshire; Package £469 a couple, the-vineyard.co.uk

7. YHA Grinton Lodge, North Yorkshire; Rooms from £35, yha.org.uk

8. Ragdale Hall, Leicestershire; Package £680 per couple, ragdalehall.co.uk

9. The Cobbles, Cornwall; £486 for 3 nights, toadhallcottages.co.uk

10. Le Manoir aux Qua T’saisons, Oxfordshire; Rooms from £890 per night, manoir.com