Fall in love with England’s most romantic settings
ENGLAND is crammed with romantic settings – and why not make a grand gesture by whisking your loved one away to one of them? Here KATIE ROWE recommends some of the best.
ESCAPE TO LOOE ISLAND
This unspoilt haven, just off the South Cornwall coast, attracts wildlife enthusiasts who flock here to see everything from rare butterflies to grey seals. The island is usually only accessible by boat, unless you’re lucky enough to visit during the couple of days each year when you can walk across to it.
With panoramic coastal views from Prawle Point in Devon to the Lizard Peninsula, the island is a great spot for rambling, so pick up the waymarked trail or sign yourself up for a guided tour.
Back on the mainland, drop your bags off at Hannafore Point Hotel and admire views across Looe Bay from your very own balcony.
You can stay here for two nights with breakfast for just £165 per person, including a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival.
CLIMB LINCOLN’S STEEP HILL HAND IN HAND
Lincoln’s gothic spires and cobbled lanes are the perfect setting for a romantic escape. Walk hand-in-hand up Steep Hill, stopping for a breather in the various boutiques that line this famous thoroughfare leading up to the city’s historic centre.
Once you reach the top it’s just a short walk to Lincoln Cathedral, a gothic masterpiece dating back to the 11th Century. Step inside to admire its intricate details, from stained-glass windows to unusual carvings, which include the famous Lincoln Imp.
Break for afternoon tea at Henry’s Tea Room at the bottom of Steep Hill, before heading to The Electric Bar and Restaurant on the fifth floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton to enjoy views across Brayford Waterfront over a glass of bubbly.
HOP ON THE SETTLE-CARLISLE RAILWAY
Treat your loved one to a train ride they’ll never forget on the historic Settle-Carlisle Railway.
Tuck into tea and cake, or even champagne and strawberries, as you admire the undulating sights of some of Cumbria and North Yorkshire’s remotest landscapes.
Established in 1869, the 72-mile line took seven years to complete, with most of it painstakingly constructed by hand. The result is an incredible elevated route that slices through the scenic Pennines, crossing rivers, ravines and the 24 arches of the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct.
ENJOY A PICNIC ON THE RIVER DART IN DEVON
While away an afternoon aboard The Picnic Boat on the River Dart, where you can putter along the water past Agatha Christie’s Greenway House, while helping yourself to locally sourced seafood, continental cheeses and other treats.
The boat seats 12, but if you’re after something more intimate you could always book it for two for an hour or so and sip a complimentary bottle of champagne as you drift along to the village of Dittisham.
After stretching your legs or calling in at the Ferry Boat Inn, the boat will pick you up for a spot of dessert on the way back.
Check into the Berryhead Hotel in nearby Brixham where you can soak up sea views over dinner or while exploring the gardens.
Find more ideas at visitengland.com