Valentines is all about spending time together, sharing experiences, having fun and making lots and lots of happy memories. It’s the most romantic time of the year and, with a little planning, can be one of the most unforgettable for you and your partner. Even if you’re on a budget, you can create a fantastic break away in a gorgeous New Forest Cottage.
Here are our top tips for a Romantic Valentines Weekend in the New Forest
1. Book a Romantic Cottage in the New Forest
Prices start at £272 for a three-day break this Valentines weekend. Choose from little bolt-holes just for two or book a larger property and sprawl out. There are cottages with log fires, cottages on the coast with amazing sea views and thatched cottages where the famous free-roaming New Forest ponies graze outside your window. Maybe arrange for some flowers or chocolates to be there when you arrive? Take a look at New Forest cottages here.
2. Write an Invitation
Forget texting or a passing comment of ‘fancy a weekend away?’ Instead, go super soppy and hand write an invitation. Try your hand at calligraphy on some classy stationery – it’ll put a smile on your partner’s face and melt their heart.
3. Go on a Walk Somewhere Beautiful and Watch the Sunset
Once in the New Forest, take a walk through magical woodlands with wonderful views. Why not pack a flask of hot chocolate and head to a beautiful setting, whether it’s the coast or forest, and watch the sunset. The team at New Forest Cottages know the area really well, so can help advise you where to go. As the sun goes down, share a kiss and pose for a selfie to frame when you get back home.
4. Cook a Valentines Dinner Together in your Cottage Kitchen
Research delicious recipes you know your partner loves and practice them in secret. You can buy ingredients when you get here from the plentiful farm shops and independent stores stocked with fresh fruit, vegetables and local produce. Put some music on, pour the wine (pop into Setley Ridge Vineyard near Brockenhurst) and chatter away as you set about creating an incredible meal. But don’t worry if cooking isn’t your bag, order in a takeaway, but arrange the meal restaurant-style on china plates. Then light the candles and let the magic begin.
5. A Lazy Breakfast in Bed
Enjoy a long, lazy morning in bed, taking in views of wildlife across the forest outside your window. You’ll find it very easy to snuggle in marshmallow bedding with a cup of morning tea and toast. Or, take it up a notch and produce a full English on a lovey tray adorned with a rose.
6. Plan Not to Be Interrupted
Nothing kills romance like a mobile phone beeping and buzzing. Leave the modern world behind and forget social media and news feeds – the weekend is just about the two of you. So unplug from the world and concentrate only on each other.
7. See the New Forest on Horseback
Horse riding is so much fun and an experience to do together – especially if you’ve never done it before! And hey, what girl doesn’t dream of her prince coming to take her on an adventure through the woods on his trusty steed? Go for an hour or two or a full day at Burley Villa in Bashley. Other stables in the forest include Arniss Livery Stables near Godshill and Brockenhurst Riding Stables.
8. A Relaxing Day at the Spa with a Couples Treatment
Your thoughtfulness will go a long way – just make sure you plan ahead. There’s a wide choice of New Forest spas to choose from, most of which have treatment rooms for couples, with dedicated ‘couples therapies’ packaged at a discounted price. Take a look at SenSpa at Careys Manor. Chewton Glen Hotel, home to the rich and famous, has an amazing spa. And, although it’s a hotel aimed at families, the spa at New Park Manor Hotel is for over 16’s only and has a menu of lush Elemis and Jessica treatments.
9. Dinner in a Fine Dining Restaurant
Who doesn’t like a sumptuous meal in beautiful surroundings? Be that starry-eyed couple and spoil yourselves! The New Forest has some fantastic fine-dining restaurants. Go Italian with Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder – Hartnett and Holder at the five star Limewood Hotel. For French food lovers, Les Mirabelles in Nomansland is terrific and The Pig in Brockenhurst waves the British flag with local produce in a dreamy setting.
10. Cosy Up in front of the Fire
Return home and light a log fire. There are very few things that are more romantic than sipping wine in front of a flickering open fire. For an extra special touch have a bottle of chilled Champagne on standby and maybe a punnet of strawberries then cosy down and watch the flames flicker.
Call our team at New Forest Cottages, and we can help and advise you how to create a romantic Valentine’s weekend break in the New Forest National Park. It’ll be one you both remember forever.
Take a look at our collection of New Forest Cottages