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Keen to whisk your loved one off for a weekend to remember? Rhiannon Batten has scoured the UK to find a dozen of the most romantic retreats around
Full hearts, empty pockets
if you want to show how deep your low is without breaking the bank. consider this cute Cornish Shepherd's Hut. Originally used as a shelter during the long nights of the lambing season it has been restyled as a cosy. sell- catering bolthole. complete with king-sized bed. cooker and wood buming stoy'e (basic bathroom facilities are provided a few metres away l. Sleeping just two. it‘s set in romantic seclusion near Polzeath. There‘s also a tire pit/barbecue area or. if you get tired of gazing into each other‘s eyes. the t‘eny to Padstow ihome to Rick Stein and co if you‘re in the market for a decadent tish supper) is only five minutes away. What’s the damage? From £40 a night for two. Booking 01208 862331. www.moylest'arm.co.uk
24 1’"! LIST 31 Jan—1.: Feb 2008
Merchant Hotel
Shepherd's Hut
3! A I, r_ . j," “I I
Gay-friendly and glamorous
Being gay doesn‘t mean you hay e to ptit tip with rhinestone-liestooncd. showttine—playiiig hotels. The sophisticated Bc‘c‘c‘liyytitid litilc‘l iii the Norfolk town ol‘ .\'orth \Valshain proyes it. Decidedly gay l‘riendly (though much ol the clientele is straighti the emphasis here is on the liner things in Me. with luxury bedding. .\loltoii Brown toiletries and a menu sourced. where possible. within a ten-mile radius or the hotel (including oy stersl. (iood days out can be had exploring the Broads. strolling along beaches or browsing nonh .\'orlolk's chi-chi boutiques. What’s the damage? Double rooms cost li'oni £90 per night. 8&8.
Booking () I 6*): 403331. w ww.beechwood- hotel.co.uk
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Gilpin Lodge
Luxury Love-nesters .\n opulent. laiiiily owned lake District hotel. (iilpin lodge has a \ilc’llc‘llli staried iestaiiraiit. e\pcrt therapists and iiiiiiiaculatc liye slai sciyice
on call liitissagc l)y'c.ltit‘lll ;tlltl coiiiloi‘tiiigly trad. il you really want to spark soine passion. book one ol its sty lisli new garden suites and take the plunge in your priyate. cedai
wrapped outdoor hot tub. beloi‘e heading down l'or pre dinner champagne and canapes by the lotinge's open lire,
What’s the damage? ( iai'dcii suite rates start at UN) per person. including a liye couisc dinner and lay isli breakl'ast.
Booking illii‘) 4385' l H. w w w.gilpinlodgecoiik
Escaping the kids
.\orthern Ireland was w ider tipped as one ol the iiiust—yisit destinations ol 2(lll7 btit. il you hayen't got there yet. don’t panic. It will still hayc plenty ol' street cred aiiioiig 3(lll.\"s trayellers. lit sec \\ll;tl till the ltlss is about iiil' yourscll. lcaye the kids at home and check into llit‘ .\lc‘l‘c‘lldlil litiic‘l. ill “elitist. ltil' \(illiL' seriously giowii-up glaiiioui'. llie l'oriiier llc‘atiqllitt‘lt‘l‘s (ii lllc‘ lllsic'l' littllk. this recent addition to the city's lll\lll'_\ hotel scene is bold. bu//ing and bursting with atiiiosphei‘e. Home to scyet'al stylish bars and a restaurant. it‘s the perl'ect place to party a (it‘ll\.
What’s the damage? l)oub|cs cost li'oiii [3]) per night. litkli.
Booking (DH Willi .isss.
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Frog princes
ll you're planning to propose oii Valentines Day. the pressure is on to lind soiiiewhcre suitably dill'erent to do it. Help is at hand in the shape ol l'rogg .\lanor's l.ady (iiiineycre suite. .-\ tree house set in the grounds ol an eccentric ('heshirc hotel. it lcatures a king-si/e bed. en—suite bathroom and yiews oyer the \‘y'clsh mountains. The owners large collection ol ornanicntal hogs and enthusiasm lor alter—dinner dancing won't
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