Elianne Reed
05 February 2020
Looking for a romantic getaway with your favourite person? While there are some beautiful spots to visit across the UK, we think that the tranquillity and beauty of Norfolk make it one of the very best. You may not know this, but the first ever Valentine was sent in Norfolk in 1477, with lovestruck Victorians going on to spend more money on Valentines than Christmas - and that’s saying something! Shops were crammed with gifts for the days leading up to St Valentine’s Eve, with hard-worked postmen given a special allowance for refreshments to see them through the stress of the sack loads of cards that they had to deliver!
Of course, romantic Norfolk is available all year round, not just on Valentine’s Day. Throughout the year, there are some gorgeous places to visit for just the two of you.
Check out some of our favourite romantic spots below...
Revel in the sea views at Holkham Beach
Well known as one of Norfolk’s most romantic proposal spots, Holkham’s wild beauty makes it one of our favourite Norfolk beaches for a romantic windswept walk. Backed by towering pine trees and rolling dunes, the sandy beach is no better place to declare your love. If you can visit when the tide is in, all the better as the bay fills up like a lagoon – an impossibly romantic place for a coastal amble. It’s also famous as the beach where Gwyneth Paltrow walked along the shore in the movie Shakespeare in Love – you might not be shipwrecked like poor lovelorn Viola, but it still makes a spectacular background for an afternoon stroll.
Stay in this romantic retreat:
Flagstaff Garden House, Burnham Overy Staithe (sleeps 2 and 1 dog)
Stargaze together at Seething Observatory
Follow the story of a million stars at the Seething Observatory, where the Norwich Astronomical Society will teach you about astronomy and the sparkling night sky. Gaze through the huge telescopes at the Milky Way in one of the best places in the country for dark skies and see if you can spot your very own shooting star. If you can’t get to an event at the observatory, grab a warm blanket and a flask of hot chocolate and drive up to the heights of Kelling Heath to stargaze freestyle.
Stay in this romantic retreat:
Brundall Boathouse, Norwich 8mls (sleeps 2)
Take a walk along Lovers' Lane
There’s nothing more romantic than a country walk, especially if you usually spend your days rushing through crowds and traffic. Take the circular walk around Ludham, stopping for a cosy lunch at a country pub or an afternoon tea at one of the tearooms. Discover the sublime Norfolk Broads, strolling along riverside paths, past pretty thatched cottages and through wildlife-packed nature reserves. Walk hand in hand along Lovers' Lane at sunset and if you want to stop at one of the kissing gates, who are we to stop you!
Stay in this romantic retreat:
Isabel's Cottage, Winterton on Sea (sleeps 4)
If walking is your thing, have a browse through our guide to Norfolk's most captivating walks - from coastal routes to country rambles, you'll find a great route to blow the cobwebs away. Click on the button below to find out which one is for you.
Tiptoe through the snowdrops at Walsingham Abbey
From Instagram: @walsingham_abbey
Visit in springtime to discover the breathtaking gardens and grounds of Walsingham Abbey. Famous for the spectacular ruins of the medieval Priory of our Lady of Walsingham, this hugely important place of pilgrimage still delights visitors with its blanket of pretty snowdrops that can be seen all along the river and through the woodland. Bring a picnic packed with local goodies and a bottle of fizz, put down a warm blanket and simply disconnect for a few hours.
Stay in this romantic retreat:
St Felix, Little Walsingham (sleeps 2)
Spot the seals at Blakeney Point
From Instagram: @_enigma8444
Come and visit the cheeky grey seals at Blakeney Point between early spring and late autumn. You can take a boat tour from Morston Quay which will take you around Blakeney Harbour and out to the Point, but for extra brownie points, charter a boat with one of the private companies such as Norfolketc for just the two of you. What could be more glorious than gliding through the waters, looking out for seals splashing about while putting your feet up? Sail through marshes and creeks and then stop for a champagne picnic before being picked up for the return voyage home.
Stay in this romantic retreat:
Le Corsaire, Blakeney (sleeps 3 and 1 dog)
With so much coastal and inland water across the county, there are some great boat trips to see the sights. Our guide below to boat trips in Norfolk will give you a few pointers.
Cuddle up on the big wheel at the Valentine's fair
Not any old fair, the St Valentine’s Day fair is a centuries-old tradition which makes its debut on the great day of romance itself. Don’t worry about missing out if you can’t get there on the 14th, as for almost a fortnight, the historic quarter of King’s Lynn is bursting with merriment, from quirky stalls to colourful neon rides. Head over to the stalls and impress your significant other by winning something (or losing gracefully) on one of the stalls, whizz around on the waltzers and share some candy floss before heading home for a nightcap at your holiday cottage.
Stay in this romantic retreat:
Thorpland House, King's Lynn (sleeps 8 and 2 dogs)
Sail away, sail away, sail away…
Laze back and relax with a boat tour around the Norfolk Broads. A national park with over 125 miles of lock-free waterways, nothing will disturb you as you wind your way around the inlets and creeks, gazing out at the scenic English countryside as you go. Stop off at one of the picturesque villages for a wander through history and a spot of lunch at a traditional Norfolk inn, and look out for the fantastic windmills (many open to the public) at the side of the water as you make your way back home. Who needs Venice when you have the Norfolk Broads?!
Stay in this romantic retreat:
Lackford Cottage, Brundall (sleeps 2)
Come and stay with us in Norfolk!
We are sure that these beautiful locations will have brought your romantic side out, so why not visit them from one of our romantic cottages? Stay in a cosy stone cottage or converted stables deep in the countryside, an apartment in a majestic Victorian stately home near to the beach or a charming annexe set within the grounds of a private country house.
Let your Norfolk love story begin at one of our romantic Norfolk cottages.
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.