Posted on February 01, 2024
For an unforgettable, romantic getaway look no further than one of the most beautiful destinations in England, The Cotswolds. Escape to scenic countryside, indulge in fantastic food, take in the historic architecture or retreat to one of the many boutique inns, cosy cottages or luxury hotels. Here is our ultimate guide of where to stay, shop for gifts and dine out in The Cotswolds for a truly special idyllic break this Valentine's Day.
Where to go in The Cotswolds for a romantic getaway
The Cotswolds is famous for its picturesque countryside and rolling hills. Make the most of Valentine’s Day by escaping to one of The Cotswolds’ beautiful villages to hideaway for some quality time together. Explore the area on a romantic walk, rest in beautiful boutique hotels and chat away over good, tasty food.
Tetbury
If villages aren’t quite your thing but you’re drawn to The Cotswolds’ renown for pretty architecture, top quality food, shops and hotels, then check out the charming market town of Tetbury. There’s easy access to The Cotswolds Way if you do fancy a ramble in the country, but it’s one of our favourite towns for exploring local boutique shops and stumbling across new foodie spots. Here’s our Area Guide for recommendations on where to stay, shop, eat and more!
Coln Valley
A popular area of The Cotswolds if you’re looking for a peaceful escape, walk along the River Coln which runs through the heart of the valley and stay in The New Inn in Coln St Aldwyns. The inn is small yet beautifully decorated and perfect for an intimate stay. Plus you don’t have to go very far to find fantastic food. Either enjoy a hearty meal from their seasonal menu or indulge in their famous burgers!
Bibury
Considered one of the most beautiful villages in England, its winding streets, the infamous Arlington Row of honey-hue cottages, and lush gardens make Bibury a charming and idyllic surrounding to enjoy a romantic break. We’d recommend checking out a stay inThe Swan Hotel for a pretty, aesthetic inn break. The rooms are all designed individually with antique furnishing with contemporary fabrics and wallpaper. For something a little unique, why not visit Bibury Trout Farm? You can fish for trout, walk around the beautiful grounds and indulge in tasty food!
Whisk your loved one anyway to the romantic English countryside
There is a true book-ish romance about the rolling hills, gorgeous forests and cute hedges across the cotswolds, so why not get lost in this romance with your partner. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious stay in a stately building with walled gardens and six course meals or a quaint cottage that will feel like a home for the night, we have some ideal recommendations we believe you’ll enjoy!
Stratton house and spa
Fall in love all over again and treat you and your loved one to a pampered getaway at the award winning Stratton house spa located right in the Heart of the Cotswolds. In this temple of serenity and tranquillity, you’ll have the opportunity to melt away your stresses in the ever favourite sauna or steam rooms or perhaps let your mind fall to ease in one of the relaxation areas. Or have a valentines treat and choose from a variety of wellbeing and beauty treatments in one of the five treatment rooms, which use amazing products by Temple Spa and OPI.
Love at the Lygon - romantic getaway
The Lygon Arms is a perfect destination to switch off and relax. Located just outside Broadway, this traditional honeyed walled hotel is just oozing in history, over 600 years in fact, and has hosted royalty as well as notable rebellious figures throughout the centuries. You can plan for roaring log fires in gorgeous yet cosy lounges, feasts for the ages from the restaurant, a relaxing spa and world class guest rooms to fall into at the end of the day.
Book the ‘love at lygon’ package this valentines day and your experience will be filled out with a signature cocktail, money for food at the restaurant, a choice of romantic rooms, a hearty breakfast to wake up to and a 60 minute spa treatment each!
Indulge yourself during a couples stay at Ellenborough park
An iced bottle of Taittinger champagne delivered to your room, homemade chocolates, a spa and 90 acres of stunning cotswold landscape, if you’re not already mad for one another you certainly will be during a romantic couples stay at Ellenborough park. Surround yourself and your special someone with spectacular views as you relax and take in the Beauty of the Cotswolds. Steeped in history and boasting 90 acres of truly exceptional grounds, Ellenborough Park is perfectly situated between the Cotswolds' highest point and the thunderous gallops of Cheltenham Racecourse. A manor house that has been lovingly restored to its original five-star glory, there’s few places that scream romance around every corner quite like you’ll find here.
Eco friendly cottages
Just because you’re being romantic doesn’t mean you don't also love the planet right? Eco friendly doesn’t mean minimalist stays, at Eco Chic, you’ll find historic stone cottages that sit in beautiful Cotswolds’ villages. Located close to historic Burford and Lechlade on Thames, they are the ideal bases to explore all the highlights the Cotswolds have to offer. Whilst still offering 5 star Multi-Award Winning self-catering Eco holiday cottages that will have all the air of romance, stone floors, oak beams and inglenook fireplaces that just scream old world charm. Yet the cottages are carbon neutral. With the Chestnuts and Culls Cottage both independently holding the Gold accreditation with Green Tourism.
A few date ideas...
Ideas for the foodies
For an evening of unpretentious, delicious food in a fun and vibrant environment, The Stump is a great spot for date night and pizza! The Stump is also ideally located for a gorgeous walk before or after your meal, so why not head out a bit earlier and have the whole day to be lost in the romance of the rolling hills before tucking in to a meal you'll both love. If you're looking for more pub walk ideas we've written more here.
Head down to Tewksbury Park and spend the evening indulging in a five-course tasting menu. The award-winning executive chef, Anuj Thakur, and his talented team have crafted a decadent five-course tasting menu, ideal for Valentine's Day celebrations. Think of classics such as Devonshire crab, beef Wellington and of course some chocolatey delights. There’s no need for worries as there’s just-as-delicious vegetarian and gluten-free alternatives.
For a cosy pub option, make your way to the Mount Inn located in Stranton for some locally sourced mouth-watering gastropub foods with some fantastic ales brewed locally.
Classic movie romance at the cinema
Make going to the movies an indulgent experience at Cheltenham Tivoli Cinema. Order mouth-watering food to your plush movie seat and head to the bar afterwards for a tipple to top off a fabulous evening.
Alternatively, Mollie's is hosting one of their American-style, drive-in cinema events with a romantic theme. You'll drive-in, park up and settle in for an evening of big-screen entertainment from the comfort of your own car, plus the tickets include a movie meal where you'll have the option of a burger (beef, chicken or plant), chilli cheese dog or chicken tenders served with some house fries and a soft drink.
Relaxing spa days
We can't think of Cotswold spas without thinking of, Thyme Meadow Spa. Designed to create an atmosphere of calm and stillness to nurture beauty from within, the botanical spa is a haven of peace and tranquility. True to Cotswolds' fashion, head to the cottage for treatments as well as in the Botanical Bothy, a space designed in conjunction with Bertioli Beauty to deliver bathing and breathing treatments.
It's only right that if you're looking for a spot for a little R&R that you turn your eyes to the Roman's go-to city for relaxation. That's right, Bath Spa. While there are a host of options, the Royal bath at Thermae Bath Spa is a must-visit location with a rooftop heated pool in the heart of the city, overlooking the gorgeous architecture.
Romantic rides for those looking to get outdoors
Plucked from the pages of British regency romance books, we cannot think of a more idyllic Valentine's Day in The Cotswolds, than exploring the rolling hills on horseback. Cotswolds Riding is perhaps the most well known riding company in The Cotswolds. You can find Cotswold Riding in the picturesque Stanton. Ideally located a few miles from Broadway, owner Jill Carenza has been offering riding, and Bed & Breakfast in her 17th century Cotswold stone house, The Vine, since 1975, so you'll have a true expert guiding you. The riding includes lessons, as well as gorgeous hacks for all levels of rider. If spending the day adventuring on horse back is something you and your partner may want to do more of, explore more horse riding tours in The Cotswolds here.
Shops to find Valentine’s Day gifts in The Cotswolds
There are lots of independent, boutique shops in The Cotswolds to find something special to gift this Valentine’s Day. The Curated Store in Stow-on-the-Wold showcases a monthly rotation of small independent businesses and always has some brilliants finds across a range of fashion and lifestyle products, gifts and more.
For more fashion-related gifts, check out Sue Parkinson’s in Cirencester and Bodega Womenswear in Cheltenham. If you need a one-stop shop for a variety of Cotswolds-related gifts, then head to Daylesford Organic where you can find candles, interiors, good gifts and plenty more.
Make an interiors’ lover’s day and organise a special visit to Original House in Calmsden, it mat even be the perfect spot to pick up a special Valentine’s gift. The store is renowned for sourcing unique and unusual interior objects and is a favourite among brands such as Soho House and The Lucky Onion for finding and furnishing their beautiful rooms.
If you’re looking to gift a bottle of wine to match with any meal, look no further than Vinotopias online store. Based in the Cotswolds, Vinotopia champions small growers rather than big brands. With different offers to buy wine, from custom labels for weddings and events, to a ‘Vinotopia Wine Club’ which gives you even better prices and members wine tastings. Also currently offering a Rosé over roses range in time for the perfect valentines gift.