When you picture romantic getaways , often sweeping sea views from elegant Amalfi Coast restaurants or breathtaking vistas on crowd-free Greek islands spring to mind. But romance can be found much closer to home. Think of cosy fireside weekends at an English countryside pub with only a handful of rustic bedrooms; historic Scottish castles with icy lochs just beyond; beachy escapes spent watching sunsets from remote Cornish shores.
Looking for romantic things to do in the capital instead? See our list of date ideas in London. This vast, historic region has long been associated with passion, beauty and romance. Come for long, bracing walks — the rolling hills make breathtaking settings for romantic lunchtime picnics — or cosy up with a warming pub lunch and a bottle of red. There's plenty of other sites to see here, too, from classic English country houses steeped in history to adorable storybook villages perfect for getting lost among cobbled streets, medieval churches and rickety pubs.
For more inspiration, see our guide to the best places to visit in the Peak District. Olivia Morelli. Where to stay: For a spoiling stay, book a room at Buxton Crescent.
This impressive spot has a showpiece spa for steam room and sauna sessions, cosseting bedrooms with four-poster beds and a restaurant that calls for a decadent feast. Book your stay for a truly romantic escape. There are few things more romantic than pink-tinged skies, sandy beaches and twisting, turning country lanes to get lost along. West Sussex offers all of these things — the region is jam-packed with rolling hills ripe for hiking , brilliant seafood restaurants and picturesque beaches perfect for bracing early morning swims.
Try The Pig in the South Downs for excellent wine, countryside charm and rustic, cosy bedrooms, or The Swan Inn, a restored coaching inn with 12 rooms and a fascinating history Turner and Constable used to love visiting here. Where to stay: The Swan Inn, where colourful double bedrooms mix the building's Victorian origins with chic contemporary touches. Book a room with a roll-top bath for soaking after a day spend exploring the great outdoors.
