Ed
25 January 2014
If you’d like to treat your loved one to a well-deserved romantic break or you’re bereft of inspiration this Valentine’s Day and the weight of doing something terribly romantic is weighing heavily on your shoulders, fear not! We have the answer…
Take your pick from our top 6 romantic days out in Yorkshire and treat your loved one to a truly special day, whatever the time of year…
1. Take a jaunt on the North York Moors Railway
What could be more romantic? Standing on the platform, hand in hand, eagerly awaiting the arrival of your steam locomotive. And once onboard, why not settle down to crisp white linen, a glass of champagne and look forward to a journey through the stunning North York Moors.
The steam trains of the NYMR run from Pickering to Grosmont and vice versa throughout the year. You can book lunch, dinner or afternoon tea, depending on the date and services running at that time. And while you’re there, Pickering is a charming Yorkshire market town with lots of lovely cafés, inns and restaurants to squirrel yourself away…
Where to stay: Swaswara, Kirkbymoorside
2. Fall helplessly in love with Helmsley
Charming Helmsley with its handsome huddle of old stone houses is the only market town within the North York Moors National Park and is an idyllic spot to whisk your loved one away. Start your day with a hand-in-hand wander around the beautiful ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, or among the scented flowers of Helmsley Walled Garden. After your scenic stroll, head to one of Helmsley’s many cafes, tearooms or pubs for a light lunch and a spot of people watching – we recommend the Black Swan Tearooms for a decadent afternoon tea and a glass of fizz.
Then, why not surprise your beloved with an indulgent treatment for two at The Verbena Spa and enjoy some R&R together. End your romantic day out with a candlelit meal for two at the Star Inn at Harome, before snuggling in front of a roaring fire in one of our cosy cottages. We promise you, your special someone will love you forever for this.
Where to stay: St Aidans, Helmsley
3. Enjoy an indulgent spa day at Raithwaite Hall
The Spa at Raithwaite Hall near Whitby is one of Yorkshire’s most prestigious spas. Set on a hillside sweeping down to the bay at Sandsend, it’s a perfect location for a romantic break. Boasting four sublime treatment rooms, a relaxation room, heated pool, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and small gym, this luxury spa in Yorkshire will leave you both feeling relaxed in no time.
Indulge in one of the sumptuous spa treatments for couples, including facials, massages and skin-quenching body wraps – we love the sound of the ‘Champagne and truffles deluxe treatment’. Then chill out by the glass-fronted pool in a fluffy robe and admire the glorious garden views. After restoring body and soul, wander down into Sandsend to the very sweet Woodlands Restaurant for some lunch. Then top it all off with a romantic stroll along the beach.
Where to stay: The Retreat – Sandsend, Sandsend
4. Try champagne and oysters in Whitby
Have you been to Whitby on the Yorkshire Coast lately? In recent years Whitby has seen something of a renaissance. Of course, it still has its traditional seaside charm – old cobbled streets and quirky independent shops but tucked alongside, you’ll also find some excellent seafood restaurants like Trenchers, The Marine Restaurant and Bridge Cottage Bistro, and several plush new bars.
After soaking up the sea views from the dramatic Whitby Abbey, watching the fishing boats come and go at the harbour, or enjoying the fresh coastal breeze along Whitby’s long sandy beach, settle down with a bottle of bubbly, a dozen oysters and waterside views for the afternoon - romance guaranteed!
Where to stay: Rose & Crown, Whitby
5. Chocolate afternoon tea in York
There is something synonymous about chocolate and romance. Of course, you could always buy a box from the local supermarket, but why not go one step further and treat your Valentine to some delicious chocolate straight from the source – a chocolate afternoon tea at York Cocoa House. Available every Sunday, the mouth-watering menu includes decadent treats like Yorkshire blue cheese and chocolate tart, chocolate and cherry scones served with fresh whipped cream and strawberry jam, and chocolate truffle torte.
And once you are suitably filled up with delicious chocolate, venture out into romantic York and spend an evening enjoying this wonderful city. If you’re still hungry, then dinner at The Star Inn the City is highly recommended…
Where to stay: The Mustard Pot, York
6. Discover Brontë Country on Ilkley Moor
“If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger.” Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights
A classic tale of passionate, intense love; Emily Brontë’s Heathcliff and Catherine played out their romance on the striking moors above Ilkley. Visit the Brontë Parsonage in Haworth, home to the Brontë family from 1820 and now a beautifully preserved museum, to see some of the sisters' original manuscripts.
Afterwards, explore the wild landscape that inspired such romantic classics. Discover the Brontë Bridge, the ruins of Top Withens and the Brontë Falls, and take a wander up to the Cow and Calf rocks and drink in the view of pretty Victorian spa town Ilkley far below you. For dinner, wander down to the Michelin-starred Box Tree in Ilkley for an indulgent end to the day.
Where to stay: Folly Rigg Cottage
We hope our suggestions for romantic days out in Yorkshire have inspired you. And remember, our Gorgeous collection of romantic Yorkshire cottages are available to book whatever the time of year!
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.