Still, if you have managed to bag a room at one of these ahead of the big V-shaped deadline, then hats off and bravo. And if not? Don’t worry. Romance will be on the cards any time you choose to bed down in one of these beauties. These, then, are the most romantic hotels in the UK for kindling (and indeed rekindling) love – established or fledgling – whatever the time of year.
Main image: Gravetye Manor
Thyme, Southrop, Cotswolds
Thyme is, simply, a rural fantasy breathed into hotel-shaped flesh. Picture honey-stone cottages, almost painfully exquisite gardens, fires in winter, and some of the best farm-to-table food in the country, all under the auspices of the great Charlie Hibbert. Simply, it’s deeply romantic but effortlessly so. Book it.
Perfect for: Switching off properly – and pretending you live here, obviously.
The Double Red Duke, Oxfordshire
A boutique pub-with-rooms that does relaxed romance to perfection: big beds, great food, low lighting, and an easy, intimate atmosphere. This is the kind of place to arrive, squish into a plump sofa, order a cocktail or two and then refuse to move – unless, of course, it’s to the wonderful yet informal restaurant or to bed. Bliss. Book it.
Perfect for: A romantic weekend that revolves around eating and sleeping very well indeed.
Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Lake District
If private hot tubs, spa suites and woodland seclusion are your jam when it comes to romance, Gilpin is hard to beat. Some rooms are essentially self-contained luxury hideaways, designed for closing the door and not leaving again until check out. Book it.
Perfect for: Proper, switch-off-the-phones, close-the-curtains romance.
Bingham Riverhouse, Richmond, London
A rare thing: a genuinely romantic London hotel. Right on the Thames and with views that would have had Turner reaching for his brushes, it has deeply elegant rooms, a glorious lawn, and a refined dining room – in short, it’s ideal for a city break that feels blissfully removed from the city. Book it.
Perfect for: A quiet, elegant escape without leaving London.
Gravetye Manor, West Sussex
A quintessential country house hotel surrounded by one of the greatest gardens in England, as once cultivated by Victorian pioneer of the wild garden, William Robinson. Inside: classic, grand yet cosy. Outside: unparalleled grounds for long walks and enraptured conversations. Book it.
Perfect for: Traditional romance done impeccably well.
Gara Rock, Salcombe, Devon
Modern, architectural and dramatically positioned above the sea. The views are the star here – especially at sunset – but the spa, the food and the minimalist rooms all vie admirably for the crown. Book it.
Perfect for: Wild coastlines, big skies, and a sense of getting away from everything.
Lime Wood, New Forest, Hampshire
Elegant, brilliantly comfortable, and home to one of the UK’s best destination spas, Lime Wood is all refined romance. Right in the heart of the New Forest National Park, it’s a Charles Morris- and Ben Pentreath-designed ode to Georgian proportions, while the interiors come courtesy of David Collins. Indulgent and relaxed at the same time – a rare trick. Oh, and Angela Hartnett takes care of the food – enough said. Book it.
Perfect for: Spa days, forest walks, and very good room service.
Heckfield Place, Hampshire
This is quiet luxury at its most sensational. Set in 400 acres of grounds, Heckfield is about space, light, calm and exceptional food. It feels restorative and romantic in the most understated yet profound of ways. Book it.
Perfect for: Slowing right down and doing almost nothing.
The Scarlet, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
Adults-only, eco-conscious, and perched above a spectacular stretch of coast. With cliff-top hot tubs and huge windows facing the Atlantic, The Scarlet is built for two. Book it.
Perfect for: Storm-watching in winter, sun-soaked terraces in summer.
Chewton Glen, New Forest, Hampshire
A grande dame that hits all the high notes every time. Set on the edge of the New Forest and close to the coast (there’s a beautiful short walk to the beach), Chewton Glen is all old-school luxury, whether you’re in the main house or one of the famous treehouse suites. The spa is exceptional, the grounds are beautiful, and the whole place feels like nothing bad could ever happen here. Book it.
Perfect for: When you want classic British luxury with a sense of escape.
The Pig, Brockenhurst, New Forest, Hampshire
The original and still the best. There are now Pigs everywhere, but this is the one that set the tone: relaxed, warm, deeply comfortable – and what, frankly, is more romantic than devouring ‘piggy bites’ by a crackling fire? Big beds, roll-top baths, roaring fires, and the sense that nothing here is rushed. Book it.
Perfect for: Long lunches, slow mornings, and falling back in love with the idea of weekends.
The Newt, Somerset
Part hotel, part estate, part horticultural wonderland, The Newt is extraordinary for wandering, exploring, and feeling completely immersed in its perfectly created world. The rooms are beautiful, but it’s the sense of place that really seduces. Book it.
Perfect for: Couples who love walking, gardens, and discovering things together.
Middleton Lodge, North Yorkshire
A romantic Georgian estate set amongst 200 acres. Think open fires, big skies, and a series of the most sublime huts, houses and rooms to book. Sheer away-from-it-all heaven. Book it.
Perfect for: A proper countryside escape in the north.
Isle of Eriska Hotel, Scotland
On its own private island, with sea views, misty light, and a sense of total removal from everyday life. It’s dramatic, old-school, and atmospheric in the extreme. Book it.
Perfect for: Feeling like the rest of the world has been put on pause.
The Nici, Bournemouth
A grown-up, design-led take on the British seaside hotel. The Nici has sea views, a glamorous spa, and Riviera energy aplenty to make even a grey weekend feel like a proper escape. Book a room with a balcony, order cocktails, and watch the light change over the bay. Book it.
Perfect for: A coastal mini-break with polish.
Gleneagles Townhouse, Edinburgh
A more urban, glamorous kind of romance. This offers all the signature Gleneagles polish in a city setting – with beautiful rooms, great bars, and instant access to one of the UK’s most romantic cities. Book it.
Perfect for: A cultured, indulgent city break.
