From country houses to cosy pubs, these eateries are some of the UK's most romantic restaurants. And as some have rooms why not make a flirty weekend of it?
North
Hipping Hall
Cowan Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancashire
Hipping Hall is a lovingly restored 17th century house draped in wisteria surrounded by stunning countryside – the Eden valley, the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and Trough of Bowland. The restaurant is in a high-vaulted hall adorned with tapestries, and features a minstrels’ gallery and a large open fireplace. The smallest details have been considered making the entire experience an gastronomic delight. The food is a modern take on traditional British fare, with origins in Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cumbria, and the seasonal vegetables are plucked straight from the walled garden. There are also comfortable rooms to stay in. Delightful. Website.
The Star Inn
Harome, nr Helmsley, North Yorkshire
For romance, book a table in the cosy, atmospheric bar of this 700-year-old inn; the Star boasts a Michelin star and offers comfort – and comfort food – par excellence. Andrew Pern’s cuisine is British food at its best; he embraces the wealth of produce Yorkshire offers with a big bear hug. The Terrine of ham knuckle with spiced pineapple pickle and Pan-roast haunch of Duncombe Park roe deer with a little venison ‘cottage pie’ are prime examples of Pern’s hearty, sensual food. Book a suite in one of the Black Eagle Cottages down the road in pretty Harome to complete your country break. Website.
South
Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons
Great Milton, Oxfordshire
Le Manoir is a beautiful house nestled in the village of Great Milton with a two Michelin starred restaurant, rooms, and an idyllic kitchen garden. As you would expect from Raymond Blanc, you’ll find modern French food of the highest quality, made with the freshest organic ingredients. Treat yourselves and discover the 10 course Decouverte Menu or go for the five course Les Classiques and feast on dishes such as Smoked haddock soup, native oyster and Oscietra caviar, and Assiette of suckling pig in its own roasting juices. Highly romantic; simply stunning. Website.
The Inn on the Green
Cookham Green, Berkshire
The Inn on the Green is a boutique hotel and restaurant situated in the picturesque and quintessentially English village of Cookham Dean. Enjoy some fine dining in this sister restaurant to Embassy in London’s Mayfair and tuck into rustic fare such as Leg of lamb steak with garlic mash potato, crispy onion and rosemary and the decadent Vanilla cheesecake with caramelized bananas. Both the Lamp Room, lit by a central chandelier, and The Stublie, with its wood panelling and beautiful open fireplace, are ideal for a romantic date. Website.
Restaurant Nathan Outlaw
Fowey, Cornwall
With stunning sea and river views, the Michelin starred restaurant Nathan Outlaw offers a tranquil and luxurious dining experience. The food is developed from simple principles using the best seasonal Cornish produce and focuses on intense flavours. Dishes like Black bream with rosemary dumplings with and olive sauce and Duck with pistachios, cherries and potato cake are a testament to this. The décor is funky and minimal; a great place to take a date. Website.
Wales
The Drawing Room
Builth Wells, Powys, Wales
The Drawing Room is a restaurant with rooms, set in a building that started life as a Georgian country residence. The restaurant serves quality food, cooked simply with the freshest local ingredients. The dish of Tournedos of Welsh beef with caramelized shallot tarte tatin is a great example of this. The décor is classic and understated and the atmosphere friendly and accommodating . A self-styled restaurant with rooms, book the top-end B&B and make a weekend of it. Website.
Scotland
Number One
Balmoral, Edinburgh
The golden velvet banquettes and rich red lacquered walls shipped from Hong Kong give this sumptuous restaurant (pictured) an opulent and sophisticated ambience. Executive Chef Jeff Bland, alongside Head Chef Craig Sandle, place emphasis on innovative French dishes whilst promoting the best of Scotland by using only the finest and freshest local ingredients. Website.
The Cellar
Anstruther, Scotland
The Cellar is a first class seafood restaurant tucked away behind Anstruther’s Scottish Fisheries Museum, just off the harbour front. The 17th century listed building, with its pretty cobbled courtyard garden, original beams, tiled floor and candlelit tables is a truly romantic setting. Peter Jukes (the Rick Stein of Scotland) sources fresh, local ingredients and does not over-elaborate the food, creating clean and sharp flavours. Dishes such as Veloute of wild mushroom and amontillado soup and Pesto-crusted fillet of coley on basil mash and pak choi demonstrate this. The service is friendly and attentive, making diners feel relaxed and at ease. Website.
By Constance Cooper and Debra Waters