Kent, the Garden of England, is the ultimate setting to enjoy a romantic Valentine’s Day getaway. Fall in love with its miles of unspoilt countryside, romantic castles, cozy pubs and initimate restaurants. Get in the mood, wind down and celebrate this Valentine’s in Kent with that special someone. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…

10
The Royal Hotel, Deal
www.theroyalhotel.com

Escape from the everyday and step into a world of elegance and character on the stunning Kent coast. Taste the sumptuous seasonal local produce in the Quarterdeck restaurant which specialises in serving outstanding seafood dishes, and drink in the sea views from the Boathouse bar.

If your dream of perfection is stepping out from your luxury room onto a balcony overlooking the beach, or relaxing and soaking in a freestanding bathtub while gazing out to sea, then you’ve found the ideal place. With a range of 18 luxurious rooms to choose from, you will be spoilt for choice.

9
White Cliffs of Dover
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/white-cliffs-dover/

The White Cliffs have a special place in our national history and make the perfect location for a bracing winter walk. One of the country’s best-known landmarks, these chalk cliffs offer unrivalled views across the busy English Channel and the French coastline. Walk hand-in-hand with your loved one and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this unforgettable location.

8
A Romantic Break in Sandwich
www.visitkent.co.uk/pdfs/country-breaks/sandwich/rural_sandwich_romanticbreak.pdf

The medieval ambiance in the town of Sandwich is something to be savoured together, and there is no better way to get in the romantic frame of mind than with a wander around the streets of the old town. Follow the historic town trail around the old walls; the route will take you along lovely stretches alongside the moat and the River Stour. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the town’s many restaurants or pubs. Whether you wine and dine or just opt for the obligatory sandwich, this Cinque Port will not dissapoint.

7
Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle/

Discover the delights of this Victorian country mansion, with its many hidden secrets and stories. Take a walk around the 14th-century moated, ruined castle, which is surrounded by one of the most romantic and stunning gardens in England. Venture further into the wonderful woodland and parkland with nearly 770 acres to explore, all set within the backdrop of the fairytale castle.

6
The Blean, Canterbury’s Ancient Woodland
www.theblean.co.uk

Covering over 3,000 hectares, the woodlands at The Blean remain one of the most extensive woodlands in the South East and the perfect haven for walkers. The area is rich and diverse in wildlife, so much so that large areas are specially protected as Nature Reserves or Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The colours and changing experiences in the Blean throughout the seasons can really add a certain something that enhances the romance in the air. Crunching through leaves in winter, admiring the autumn colours, gazing across orchards in summer, or admiring the blossoms in spring are all wonderful experiences to share with that special someone.

5
Walletts Court Hotel, Dover
www.wallettscourthotelspa.com

Picture yourself and your partner in this warm and cosy country house hotel in Westcliffe, Dover. Cuddle up in front of a crackling log fire with the one you love after a romantic walk along the iconic wild open cliff tops at Dover. Champagne cocktails follow, with a heart-warming candelit dinner for two.

For the ultimate luxury, why not stay the night in one of the manor house’s four-poster bedded rooms?

4
Goodnestone Park Gardens
www.goodnestoneparkgardens.co.uk

Jane Austen’s connections with country house life in Kent provided inspiration for some of her most famous novels of romantic fiction. It was after a visit to Goodnestone Park in 1796 that she began writing the novel that soon became the classic Pride and Prejudice. Take your very own Mr Darcy for a visit, and spend a very pleasant hour or two wandering amid Goodnestone’s 14 acres of 18th-century parkland.

3
Eastwell Manor, Ashford
www.eastwellmanor.co.uk

Eastwell Manor is the quintessesntial, romantic, country manor house escape, nestled in peaceful seclusion in Eastwell Park. Roaring log fires and discreet service await you in here, with its award-winning restaurant ranked 5th in The Times’ Most Romantic Restaurants in Britain. The aquamarine haven of the Pavilion Spa offers the most luxurious spa experience, while the elegant rooms and suites in the manor house provide all of today’s comforts whilst surrounding guests in the history that the rooms have experienced.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day and surprise ‘the love of your life’  by booking a romantic lunch, dinner or even a night’s stay at Eastwell Manor.
 

2
Hever Castle, Sevenoaks
www.hever-castle.co.uk

Historic Hever Castle, with its enchanting double-moated castle, gardens and boating lake, offers couples the very best in romantic surroundings. Once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the 13th-century castle is set within magnificent gardens including the majestic formal Italian garden and topiary, to the informal meanderings of the Lakeside and Sunday Walk.

Stroll arm in arm through and soak up the atmosphere of this idyllic place, visited by the Royal couple of Henry VIII and Anne Bolyen.

1
Leeds Castle, Maidstone
www.leeds-castle.com

Set in 500 acres of beautiful parkland, Leeds Castle offers a true romantic setting for Valentine’s Day. Journey through 900 years of captivating history. Even Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon spent a night at Leeds en-route to the ‘Field of the Cloth of Gold’, a meeting between Henry VIII and Francis I of France.

Stay in one of the on-site holiday cottages, the romantic Maidens Tower on the castle island with its secluded walled garden, or enjoy ‘Knight’s Glamping’ – luxury camping with a four-poster bed, warming wood-burning stove, crisp cotton bedding and snug furry throws. Very cosy!

However you choose to spend this Valentine’s, let The Garden of England be your muse and tug at your heartstrings, to develop a love affair with our county that will last a lifetime.

www.visitkent.co.uk