{"id":2495,"date":"2014-06-23T15:47:37","date_gmt":"2014-06-23T15:47:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/?p=2495"},"modified":"2025-04-29T14:35:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T14:35:54","slug":"love-is-in-the-air-romantic-things-to-do-on-your-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/love-is-in-the-air-romantic-things-to-do-on-your-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"Britain\u2019s Best Spots for a Romantic Break"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/shutterstock_297482225.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-4236\" src=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/shutterstock_297482225-1024x741.jpg\" alt=\"Couple sitting by a fire beside the sea of a night with mugs in hand\" width=\"625\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/shutterstock_297482225-1024x741.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/shutterstock_297482225-300x217.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/shutterstock_297482225-768x556.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/shutterstock_297482225-624x452.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/shutterstock_297482225.jpg\"><br \/>\n<\/a>It is so easy to get caught up in the distractions of busy lives that we neglect to give attention to what is most important. Cocoon yourselves away from the rest of the world and rediscover the joys of being able to spend time together on a romantic self-catering break. City and country, coast and mountain, Britain is full of incredible places for you to discover together.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Romantic Beach Breaks<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a title=\"Take a look at our Cornish cottages\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/cornwall\/\">Cornwall<\/a> and the South West is renowned for the quality of its beaches, art galleries, restaurants, and pubs, making it a top choice for a romantic break. If you don\u2019t want to spend as long travelling, the beaches of <a title=\"Holiday rentals in Devon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/devon\/\">Devon<\/a> and <a title=\"Self-catering in Dorset\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/dorset\/\">Dorset <\/a>are just as beautiful.<\/p>\n<p>Foodies should book themselves onto a foraging walk where you will not only learn about the countryside but how to make the most of Mother Nature\u2019s larder.\u00a0 Active couples can explore the coast from the sea on a kayaking tour, while history buffs will be in heaven with places like Plymouth on the doorstep.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4237\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/plymouth-water-sunset-cornwall.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4237\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-4237 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/plymouth-water-sunset-cornwall-1024x629.jpg\" alt=\"Sun setting over the water dotted with sail boats\" width=\"625\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/plymouth-water-sunset-cornwall-1024x629.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/plymouth-water-sunset-cornwall-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/plymouth-water-sunset-cornwall-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/plymouth-water-sunset-cornwall-624x383.jpg 624w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/plymouth-water-sunset-cornwall.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-4237\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Make your own gin in Plymouth, ride the &#8216;Plymouth Eye&#8217; or share a cream tea in the garden of the Tudor Rose Cafe<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Welsh coastline is lined by a fantastic footpath stretching 870 miles, dotted with secluded empty beaches just perfect for a dip or picnic. We defy you to find more beautiful coastal views anywhere else in the world with lush fields stretching to cliffs fringed with secluded golden shores. There are several stables who offer guided beach horse rides. It\u2019s an exhilarating way to experience the unspoilt beaches of <a title=\"Holiday homes on the Pembrokeshire coast\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/pembrokeshire_coast\/\">Pembrokeshire<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/powys\/\">Powys<\/a>,\u00a0<a title=\"Ceredigion cottages\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/ceredigion\/\">Ceredigion<\/a> and <a title=\"Browse our self-catering in Carmarthenshire\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/carmarthenshire\/\">Carmarthenshire<\/a> in West and South Wales.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4240\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/horseriders-on-beach-wales-gower.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4240\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/horseriders-on-beach-wales-gower-1024x656.jpg\" alt=\"Vast golden beach with two horse riders\" width=\"625\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/horseriders-on-beach-wales-gower-1024x656.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/horseriders-on-beach-wales-gower-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/horseriders-on-beach-wales-gower-768x492.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/horseriders-on-beach-wales-gower-624x400.jpg 624w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/horseriders-on-beach-wales-gower.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-4240\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The beaches of Wales are just incredible for horse riding<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Imagine leaving a trail of footprints as you walk hand in hand along a deserted beach lapped by clear water. Sounds amazing, and it\u2019s even more appealing when you can enjoy beach-side peace and tranquillity less than an hour from Edinburgh! Easily accessible by car or train, beaches like Tyninghame, Seacliff, North Berwick, Dunbar, and Peffersands, are a breath of fresh air, sweeping away distractions and giving you the space you need to focus on each other.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Romantic City Breaks<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Britain is liberally sprinkled with wonderful cities to fall in love with. Promenade arm-in-arm along <a title=\"Holiday homes in and around Bath\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/somerset\/bath\/\">Bath\u2019s<\/a> Georgian streets before stopping at a caf\u00e9 for expertly brewed tea and delicious cake, or tread in the footsteps of the Ancient Romans at the baths after which the city is named. Bristol is another great city in the south west of England, being small enough to really get a feel for it in just a few days but with a vibrant music and food scene to entertain for longer visits.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4239\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/couple-feet-punting-cambridge.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4239\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4239\" src=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/couple-feet-punting-cambridge-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"A mans and ladies feet looking down a punting boat, and river to a historic bridge in the distance\" width=\"625\" height=\"415\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/couple-feet-punting-cambridge-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/couple-feet-punting-cambridge-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/couple-feet-punting-cambridge-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/couple-feet-punting-cambridge-624x415.jpg 624w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/couple-feet-punting-cambridge.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-4239\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Who needs Venice when you have punting at Oxford and Cambridge<\/p><\/div>\n<p>If history is your thing why not consider Cambridge or Oxford. Home to two of Britain\u2019s oldest universities you can sense the history in every step. Durham, Coventry, Gloucester, and Exeter have amazing cathedrals or keep your history more modern with a visit to Liverpool, home of some of the swingiest music to come out of the 1960s. Belfast and Cardiff are seriously underrated as romantic holiday destinations. Both cities have a strong sense of identity which gives them a unique vibe, and if you can time your visit to Cardiff to fit in with an international rugby match you\u2019ll have the time of your lives!<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Romantic Countryside Breaks<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes time rushes past so quickly it simply isn\u2019t possible to appreciate the good things in life. Slow your pace in a secluded country cottage. Wake to the sound of birdsong, spend your days exploring picturesque villages and dining on delicious local food that has never travelled further than a few miles from where it was produced, and your evenings tucked up on a plush sofa in front of an open fire with a generous measure of your favourite drink. Heavenly!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4242\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/lake-district-couple-walking-dog.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4242\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4242\" src=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/lake-district-couple-walking-dog-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Landscape with couple walking a dog over rolling hills with a lake in the distance\" width=\"625\" height=\"416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/lake-district-couple-walking-dog-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/lake-district-couple-walking-dog-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/lake-district-couple-walking-dog-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/lake-district-couple-walking-dog-624x416.jpg 624w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/lake-district-couple-walking-dog.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-4242\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lake District &#8211; the perfect place to get away from it all<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The <a title=\"View our Lakeland cottages\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/lake_district\/\">Lake District<\/a> is one of the UK\u2019s most popular holiday destinations for the scale of its mountains and beauty of the waters. Some parts get busy in summer but you can avoid throngs of tourists by choosing to stay in villages like Little Town or Grange. Both are set amongst breathtaking countryside with a myriad of walking trails for all abilities nearby, yet are within a convenient distance of larger towns.<\/p>\n<p>Scotland\u2019s expanse of mountains and moors give you more opportunities than anywhere else in the UK to escape to your own private world. <a title=\"Holiday homes in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/loch_lomond_and_trossachs_national_park\/\">Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park<\/a> is a great place to start. Picnic beside the loch and admire the sun sparkling off the water, encourage each other as you scale the hills on foot or by mountain bike, or simply sit and drink in the serenity as you watch kestrels and ospreys swooping and gliding through the sky.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4243\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Cotswolds-cottage-bibury.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4243\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-4243 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Cotswolds-cottage-bibury-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Row of honey coloured cottages, some clad with flowers\" width=\"625\" height=\"416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Cotswolds-cottage-bibury-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Cotswolds-cottage-bibury-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Cotswolds-cottage-bibury-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Cotswolds-cottage-bibury-624x416.jpg 624w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Cotswolds-cottage-bibury.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-4243\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pretty villages, historic market towns packed full of independent shops &amp; incredible gastro pubs &#8211; the Cotswolds has it all!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The <a title=\"Browse our Cotswolds cottages\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/cotswolds\/\">Cotswolds<\/a> are home to scenery pretty enough to make you feel as if you have stepped into a painting. <a title=\"Self-catering in Stow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/cotswolds\/stow-on-the-wold\/\">Stow-on-the-Wold,<\/a> Cirencester, and <a title=\"Cottages in Chipping Campden\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/cotswolds\/chipping_campden\/\">Chipping Campden<\/a> are just three of a clutch of bustling market towns you will never want to leave. With some of the best gastro pubs in the country, an abundance of country houses and gardens to wander around, and a central location in the country, it&#8217;s hardly surprising the Cotswolds is such a popular choice for a weekend away.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Choosing Your Romantic Cottage<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_4244\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Romantic-cottage-front-door-with-heart.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4244\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-4244 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Romantic-cottage-front-door-with-heart-1024x716.jpg\" alt=\"Blue cottage front door with rustic heart and thatched roof over\" width=\"625\" height=\"437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Romantic-cottage-front-door-with-heart-1024x716.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Romantic-cottage-front-door-with-heart-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Romantic-cottage-front-door-with-heart-768x537.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Romantic-cottage-front-door-with-heart-624x436.jpg 624w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Romantic-cottage-front-door-with-heart.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-4244\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Book a romantic cottage &#8211; you get plenty of space, privacy and maybe even a log fire and hot tub<\/p><\/div>\n<p>It is not only the location of your self-catering romantic break that will make your time so enjoyable but the details of your cottage. Heat up a winter weekend with an open fireplace, or make your evenings a delight with a glass of something cold and fizzy in your outdoor <a title=\"View our cottages with hot tubs\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-ideas\/cottages-with-hot-tub\/\">hot tub<\/a>. Even if you plan on spending most of your time gazing into each other&#8217;s eyes, a cottage with a view will be appreciated. Your self-catering choice should feel better than a home-away-from-home so take a look at our hand picked <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-ideas\/romantic-cottages-for-couples\/\">romantic cottages<\/a> for\u00a0a holiday you\u2019ll never forget.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4245\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/romantic-couple-beach-balloons.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4245\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-4245 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/romantic-couple-beach-balloons-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Couple cuddling on pebble beach looking out to see with picnic basket with orange balloons tied to handle\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/romantic-couple-beach-balloons-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/romantic-couple-beach-balloons-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/romantic-couple-beach-balloons-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/romantic-couple-beach-balloons-624x416.jpg 624w, https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/romantic-couple-beach-balloons.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-4245\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Make time to spend together and memories to last a lifetime<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It is so easy to get caught up in the distractions of busy lives that we neglect to give attention to what is most important. Cocoon yourselves away from the rest of the world and rediscover the joys of being able to spend time together on a romantic self-catering break. City and country, coast and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":4236,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3,23],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2495"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2495"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2495\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11018,"href":"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2495\/revisions\/11018"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.independentcottages.co.uk\/holiday-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}