5 TOP VALENTINE ROMANTIC BREAKS IN THE UK

We have begun the countdown to Valentine’s Day on the 14th February!  Is your loved one taking you away for a romantic break?  Or, perhaps you are looking for some last minute inspiration for places to take your boyfriend or girlfriend away to.  We have come up with five, very special boutique hotels where we know you will be looked after beautifully.

If you have time on your hands, you could head up to the Orkney Islands and stay in this stunning island castle hotel.  It would be hard to find a more remote and romantic setting for a few days of peace and quiet.  This delightful Scottish Baronial castle watches over a tiny island, just six miles long. First and foremost a family home the castle has been beautifully preserved, retaining every bit of it’s Victorian splendor, and luxuriously decorated with every modern comfort. You will feel a million miles from anywhere yet this seemingly remote island is relatively easy to get to; a helicopter can land on the front lawn of the Castle and there are flights from Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen and Glasgow to Kirkwall, thereafter a private boat will ferry you to your island home. With activities to suit everyone there is plenty to do including trout fishing, tennis, seal watching, and cooking lessons to list just a few.  After that you can relax in the magnificent drawing room, the cozy library or the morning room.   In spite of the wonderfully remote location, there is a golf room with gold simulator, billiard s room, movie theater & media room as well as a private chapel.

If you feel like a trip to the ‘Emerald Isle’ we would highly recommend this glorious regency mansion hotel located 90 minutes from Dublin.  Ballyfin is surrounded by 600 acres of parkland, a large lake and ancient woodland this is without question the premier private residence in Ireland.  After 8 years of painstaking restoration, the house re-opened in 2010 to critical acclaim.  Set at the foot of the Slieve Bloom mountains, the estate is very much in the center of Ireland.  The attention to detail and the amount of care that has been lavished on this home is staggering.  Every room has been beautifully restored and filled with lovely artwork, furniture and beautiful craftsmanship.  An ideal place to go if you have children too as there is plenty for them to do.  There is an indoor pool and spa, children’s playroom, library, pub and a stunning wine cellar.

Or you could head down to Devon and stay at this delightful boutique hotel.  Hotel Endsleigh was originally built by the Duke of Bedford and the lodge has extensive gardens which were designed by Humphry Repton.  Sitting between Devon and Cornwall in splendid rural isolation the only sounds you hear are birdsong and leaves rustling in the breeze.  The interior has been beautifully decorated by Olga Polizzi who retained some of the magnificent hand painted wallpaper.  This is the perfect location for a romantic retreat.

Perhaps Gloucestershire holds the key for you and you could stay in this wonderful hotel adjoining Cheltenham Racecourse.  Ellenborough Park Hotel is situated in a magnificent, fully restored 16th Century Manor House which offers the perfect luxury romantic retreat in the Cotswolds.  Surrounded by glorious countryside, and set in its own well-maintained gardens, this truly is an enchanting place.  The hotel offers an amazing range of leisure activities in addition to the spa and gym.   Only 2 hours drive from Central London, could this be the place for you?

Not far from Prestwick Airport is Glenapp Castle, this wonderful Ayrshire castle by the sea.  This Victorian home was built in 1870 for one of Scotland’s most prominent shipping families. The castle sits up high and boasts magnificent views across the sea to Ailsa Craig.  Completely restored twenty years ago, the 17 en-suite bedrooms are now beautifully decorated and some are really sumptuous.  The castle has wonderful formal gardens, a large walled garden and is surrounded by magnificent trees planted when the estate was first purchased.  This boutique hotel is conveniently located 90 minutes due south of Glasgow and from here you can head south to the Lake District or across into Dumfries & Galloway.  Famous for its cuisine, this estate has justly earned a stellar reputation and being family owned & run, the welcome is always warm and genuine. The service is excellent and do try chefs marmalade!

If you would like us to plan a last minute romantic getaway for you, please contact me at annabel@ltrcastles.com or +44 (0) 1835 824642 or visit us at ltrcastles.com and we would be delighted to help you!