For anyone keen to avoid the restaurants and fixed menus, a night in the countryside can be a far more appealing way to do Valentine’s. These five escapes swap the city for space, decent food, and 10/10 spa treatments. Get booking, people:

1. Lime Wood, New Forest

The Lowdown: Lime Wood is the ultimate Valentine’s hideaway for couples seeking seclusion, serenity and understated luxury. Wrapped in centuries-old yew, oak and beech trees, the hotel feels wonderfully cocooned from the outside world, an idyllic setting for romantic escapes where crackling fires, misty forest walks and candlelit dinners take centre stage.

What to Expect: At the heart of Lime Wood is the award-winning Herb House Spa, where couples can truly slow down and reconnect, with restorative treatments, outdoor hot pools and peaceful relaxation spaces designed to nurture both body and mind. Some of the most romantic rooms are Pavilion One and The Lake Cabin – cosy woodland boltholes or indulgent suites made for lingering mornings and early nights. Italian-inspired dishes by Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder at HH&Co are served in a relaxed yet elegant setting, perfect for unhurried Valentine’s dinners accompanied by an extensive wine list.

Prices from £405 per night. More info here

2. The Great Bustard, Wiltshire

The Lowdown: For couples who bond over exceptional food and relaxed luxury, The Great Bustard offers a refreshingly modern Valentine’s escape. Set in the heart of Wiltshire, this contemporary pub with rooms combines outstanding seasonal cooking with the warmth and intimacy of a countryside retreat.

What to Expect: Led by Head Chef Jordan Taylor, formerly of two-Michelin-starred Moor Hall, the restaurant delivers a menu that feels indulgent yet comforting, ideal for romantic evenings spent over dinner and wine. Sustainability is at the heart of the kitchen, with locally sourced produce transformed into thoughtful, beautifully executed dishes. Upstairs, stylish bedrooms offer a calm, cosy retreat after dinner, while the on-site treatment room (a rare find for a pub-with-rooms) allows couples to elevate their stay with bespoke spa treatments designed for rest and reconnection.

Rooms from £200 Bed & Breakfast. More info here

3. House of George, Cotwolds

The Lowdown: Set in the picturesque village of Broadway, House of George is a beautifully restored 17th-century property where historic character meets contemporary design. The hotel features 10 individually styled bedrooms arranged around a central courtyard.

What to Expect: At its heart is Moda, a refined dining destination led by Head Chef James Wilson, formerly of The Newt in Somerset. For Valentine’s Day, James has crafted a special sharing menu featuring highlights such as sharing Beef Wellington and Tarte Tatin. With its timeless charm and relaxed elegance, House of George offers the perfect escape for those seeking a romantic retreat away from the city.

Rooms from £260 inc breakfast. More info here

4. St Michaels Resort, Cornwall

The Lowdown: Just steps away from the blue-flag Gyllyngvase beach on the south coast of Cornwall, nestled amidst subtropical gardens, St Michaels Resort is the perfect sanctuary for romance this Valentine’s Day.

What to Expect: Experience romantic restorative bliss during the 55-minute couple’s massage and a Hydrothermal Experience, taking a dip in the southwest’s largest hydrotherapy pool, and relaxing in the outdoor cedar hot tub and outdoor barrel sauna. Couples can take time to explore the surrounding area as the hotel’s location has direct access to a variety of stunning coastal walks, before enjoying an intimate and decadent three-course dinner at the ocean-facing Brasserie on the Bay.

Rooms start from £118 per night, with the 55-minute couples massage priced at £190. More info here

5. Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate, Essex

The Lowdown: Down Hall is a large country house hotel just outside London, set in 110 acres of parkland in rural Essex. For Valentine’s week, the hotel is offering a package that bundles dinner, bed and breakfast into one straightforward stay.

What to Expect: An overnight stay, a three-course dinner focusing on seasonal British cooking, and a few predictable but pleasant extras in the room, including English sparkling wine and chocolate-dipped strawberries. The next morning is left open: breakfast, a walk around the grounds, or time in the Eden Spa or the newer Barn Spa before heading home.

Available from the 8th – 15th February and priced from £345 per couple. More info here