Kent’s Most Romantic Places to Visit This Valentine’s

It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, and for those who celebrate we’ve found some of the most romantic places in Kent to visit this February. From castles, to beach walks, to classic sunsets, this list covers the best places to visit for your romantic celebrations this year.

Eastwell Manor

Located just outside of Ashford, Eastwell Manor is a luxury hotel and spa set in 62 acres of beautiful, sprawling grounds. The Manor itself was originally built in the 1540s, hosting Earls, Princes, and even a future Queen of Romania over the years. After suffering extreme fire damage in the 1920’s the house was largely demolished before being artfully rebuilt with painstaking attention to detail. The picturesque estate is now one of the most romantic stately homes in Kent.

In 2016 the estate was acquired by Champneys, the UKs original health spa, and was refitted into the luxury hotel and spa it is today. Perfect for a Valentine’s Weekend treating yourself to a ‘Sweetheart’s Spa Day‘, indulging in the isolated rural luxury. Or even a romantic afternoon tea looking out over the manicured lawns, and beautiful grounds.

Visit a Vineyard!

Kent is home to several Vineyards and wineries, a classically romantic location for any Valentine’s date.

Chapel Down in Tenterden is perhaps the best-known in Kent, being partnered as the Official Sparkling Wine of the England & Wales Cricket Board, Official English Sparkling wine of Ascot Racecourse and the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race. The vineyard offers everything from overnight stays, wine tastings, guided tours and even dining experiences. A ‘Lover’s Wine and Dine’ event has been updated for the holiday, making it perhaps the perfect place to spend your Valentines.

Other vineyards include The Mount at Sevenoaks, Biddenden Vineyards, Balfour Winery, or perhaps Gusbourne. Each location has potential to be the perfect romantic location this February.

Port Lympne Reserve & Hotel

A slight wild card on this list, Port Lympne Hotel and Animal Reserve is becoming an increasingly popular spot for weddings, and short romantic breaks. Located in Hythe, the hotel offers beautiful views of the coastline, safari, and canal, as well as a new Moroccan Courtyard and Wedding venue.

With the option to spend the night overlooking Tigers, Lions, or even Giraffes, Port Lympne has created the perfect couples retreat. These isolated, romantic lodges overlooking the animals are dotted throughout the park, the Reserve offering everything from a decadent hotel room to a little one room cabin tucked away in the woods. Much like Chapel Down, Port Lympne is offering Valentines packages including overnight stays, afternoon teas, proposals, and even elopement deals. The zoo is perhaps not the obvious thought when it comes to romantic getaways but provides several intimate options to choose from.

Sunset in Thanet

The North facing coastline of Kent is renowned for its sunrises and sunsets. Enough so that Charles Dickens claimed that there was ‘never so fine a sunset’, whilst the famous painter JMW Turner quotes that ‘the skies over Thanet are the loveliest in all Europe.’

A romantic, yet budget friendly, trip this Valentine’s could be to catch the first (or last) rays of sun over the Kentish coastline with your partner. There’s even a famous walking route between Margate and Broadstairs you can follow, with one end at the Turner Contemporary, and the other at Broadstairs promenade by the Dickens House Museum. Minnis Bay is another popular spot along the coastline where you can book a meal and enjoy the view with your partner. Perhaps a slightly more classic take on romance, Thanet could hold the answers to your Valentine’s plans.

Scotney Castle

Unfortunately, unlike the others on this list, Scotney Castle requires a National Trust pass to enter. However, the medieval castle is known for its beautiful fairytale-esque appearance, and protected gardens. The castle itself isn’t so much a castle, rather a moated manor house dating back to 1137. Set just North of our Miller’s Meadow development in Sandhurst, the castle is nestled in the rural beauty surrounding Bewl Water.

Playing location to both a Richard Gere film, and the recent adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s ‘The Sandman’ the castle’s medieval charm is undeniable. Walking round the grounds transports you into an ancient English fairytale; romantic, magical, and isolated. Maybe a little more niche for a Valentines date, but this Kentish castle holds a certain charm and magic about it.

Got any questions or feedback on the article? Or maybe a topic you would like to be covered in a future blog? Email caitlin.willis@clarendonhomes.co.uk today, I would love to hear from you!