With foreign travel suddenly looking a lot less attractive or even possible for the foreseeable future, special holiday plans for couples of all ages might have to go back to the drawing board when it comes to creating the truly romantic getaway for two. But why travel when you have one of the most romantic destinations in the world right here in the British Isles. Cornwall has form in the romance stakes so here is the recipe for a perfect romantic break for two, whether you plan on just staying a few days or a couple of weeks.
Pick your accommodation
If you are looking for luxury, charm, uber-modern design or just breathtaking views then Cornwall will have the perfect holiday cottage or residence to make your stay extra special. If you are going old style, then pick a beamed characterful whitewashed fishermen’s cottage right on the harbour front in St. Ives or Mousehole, perfect to cosy up in and with a wood burner for those magical evenings by the fire.
If its views and horizons you are after then there are some stunning classic and contemporary properties with breathtaking views over the coastline many with a hot tub in the garden so you can watch the sun set over the sea whilst sipping chilled champagne.
Cornwall is full of lush and verdant valleys with hidden cottages and barns offering the perfect secluded location, away from the visitors but never far from the beach if a tranquil haven is what you are after.
Whether your taste is old school or modern contemporary style, Cornwall will have the ideal cottage for your romantic getaway and you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to location.
Romantic settings
Cornwall has a truly magical effect on a lot of people; it goes far deeper than just liking the view or feeling relaxed because you are on holiday, Cornwall is known to turn people’s head. Maybe its the legends or the saints, the ancient Celtic mysteries or just perhaps the beautiful scenery but Cornwall is truly magical.
Here are some of the most special locations in Cornwall to enjoy during your break, they also double up as possibly some of the most romantic places to pop the question!
Kynance Cove – one of the most photographed and painted coves in Cornwall, Kynance has a rugged beauty which just captures people’s hearts. Kynance is located on the western side of the Lizard Peninsula with spectacular views from the cliffs above and a pretty and private cove below. Check the tide times as at high tide, the beach all but disappears. There is a winding path which takes you down to the cove with inviting golden sands and azure waters which crash and break on the rocks, it really is the most stunning of locations for a special moment
Godrevy Head – close to both Hayle and St. Ives, a meandering coastal path takes walkers along the edge of the cliffs with panoramic views of the coastline and Godrevy Lighthouse, perfect for a picnic
Tintagel Castle – Tintagel is the stuff of legends, Arthurian legends in fact and is an ideal place to explore in the winter months when the visitors have gone home and the sense of history and drama is just palpable
St. Michael’s Mount – if you are staying in Marazion or Penzance then you can spy St. Michael’s Mount sitting majestically in Mounts Bay, a castle on an island which you can approach by boat or via a stone causeway at low tide, it is hard to imagine anything more romantic. On the island, you can visit the historic house or wander the through the sub-tropical gardens, it's just so secret and magical
Cornwall, a place for all seasons
Cornwall offers romance and magic whatever the time of year and whatever the weather. There is nothing quite like relaxing in a clifftop hot tub as the sun sets over the ocean but visiting in the autumn and winter allows you to experience the real Cornwall. Imagine long walks across wild and desolate beaches with a huge sea running and crashing breakers with a cosy Cornish cottage to come home to or a delicious meal waiting for you by the fire in a welcoming harbourside pub.
Special touches
There are so many little extras which you add to your cottage or holiday home to make your visit just extra special and memorable. Why not organise a delicious home-baked cake to be waiting for you on arrival, with some champagne on ice, of course. Lots of holiday homes now have both wood-burning stoves and hot tubs in the garden which are some of the essentials on the romantic getaway shopping list. Cornwall is a food mecca with fabulous eateries where you can sample award-winning cuisine – why not try Pandora Inn at Restronguet if you want to combine a magical location with fantastic dining? Or you can organise a chef to come into your cottage and cook a meal just for the two of you, what could be more romantic. Design your own menu and make the very best of fresh local produce.
It is hard to beat that perfect recipe of beautiful scenery, history and fine cuisine whether your romantic Cornwall is a hidden green valley by a sleepy creek, a dramatic clifftop hideaway overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the north Cornish Coast or a bijou bolthole for two on the waterfront in St. Ives. Beaches, landscape, ancient houses and castles with beautiful exotic gardens mean you will be spoilt for choice. And if all you can do at the moment is dream, then look online for tons of inspiration and get planning your perfect romantic break. And in the meantime? Why not treat yourself to some literary Cornish romance to whet the appetite? Who could fail to be beguiled by Daphne du Maurier’s famous novel, Rebecca but there are plenty more good reads in that genre. Cornwall has a romantic heritage that has been felt by many over the decades and is hard to beat.
