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The most romantic day of the year approaches, and out of peak season it may be the smartest time to enjoy all the very best bits Cornwall has to offer.
As Valentine’s Day presents the perfect excuse to stay somewhere new, a trip to the Duchy will allow couples to fill their lungs with Cornish air, taste some of the finest local fare and make wonderful memories in this slice of heaven.
Magnolia tree in bloom at Caerhays Castle Garens, Cornwall ©Exposure Photo Agency, Simon Burt
Magnolia tree in bloom at Caerhays Castle Garens, Cornwall ©Exposure Photo Agency, Simon Burt
Springtime in Cornwall is heralded not only by the longer gentler days, but by the candy-coloured explosions of colour with the blooms of Magnolias across six of the champion trees of The Great Gardens of Cornwall bursting into life. Last year, spring was announced on 22 Feb, so Valentine’s Day is an ideal day to take to the great outdoors to see the best kind of valentine’s flowers.
The Great Gardens of Cornwall is a collection of 13 of the best-known, largest, most historically and horticulturally important gardens in Cornwall. Spread across Cornwall, from a tidal estuary on the River Tamar, to the tip of the Isles of Scilly, the 13 gardens include: Antony Woodland Gardens, Bonython Estate Gardens, Caerhays Castle Spring Gardens, the Eden Project, Lamorran Gardens, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Trebah Garden, Tregothnan, Tregrehan Garden, Tremenheere Sculpture.
They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but we think this applies to everyone when the Duchy is the chef’s larder. As always Cornwall’s food scene continues to make our tummies rumble, but with Valentine’s being the most romantic day of the year we’ve highlighted some of the most lovable ways to dine this Valentine’s Day.
According to TripAdvisor’s 2022 Travellers’ Choice “Best of the Best” the most romantic restaurant happens to be here in Cornwall. Salamander in Mevagissey received the Date Night top spot in the highly regarded awards. While it may not be the glitziest affair, at the very least you’ll fall in love with the locally-sourced dishes.
©HuftonCrow
For a truly unforgettable evening, head to Cornwall’s Eden Project to enjoy a tropical experience in its Mediterranean Biome on 14, 16 and 17 February. Guests will be welcomed with a glass of Eden sparkling brut, produced at the local Knightor vineyard. Take your seats for dinner in the Spice grove of the Biome, where you’ll tuck into a delectable four-course set menu which has been locally sourced, while enjoying the evening’s entertainment by string quartet 4tissimo. Couples will also be treated to a token Valentine’s gift from Eden. Pre-booking is required and tickets cost £150 for 2 people
edenproject.com/visit/whats-on/valentines-dinner
St Michael's Mount, Cornwall, silhouetted against the sky at sunset. ©National Trust Images David Sellman
It doesn’t get more romantic than watching the sun go down with a loved one. Look out to the Atlantic Ocean as you see the sun disappear into the sea horizon. There are some truly fantastic coastal spots to see a sunset from St Michael’s Mount and dramatic Land’s End, to gorgeous Godrevy with the lighthouse in the distance. So layer up, grab a blanket and a flask of Cornish tea and hunker down for a mesmerising scene. In February, golden hour in Cornwall – the hour before sunset – is around 4:45pm, so head down and get yourself a good spot.
We’re fortunate to have some of the country’s finest here in Cornwall, and what better excuse to check in to the spa than Valentine’s day?
A trip to the newly enhanced C Bay Spa at Carbis Bay Hotel comes recommended. Unwind and soak up the bubbles in the hydro pool, embrace a seaweed wrap or a Lava Shell massage and enjoy the heated outdoor swimming pool and sauna pod with panoramic views of the bay.
carbisbayhotel.co.uk/spa
The Scarlet in Mawgan Porth offers a glorious ‘Swim, Soak and Supper’ package. Relaxation seekers can arrive from 4pm to indulge in the eco spa’s fabulous spa facilities, enjoy a candlelit soak in the restorative Copper Tub for two, followed by a delicious three-course dinner at the Scarlet restaurant.
scarlethotel.co.uk/spa
Or perhaps you’d rather stay in the comfort of your holiday home? Let the talented therapists from Home Spa Cornwall come to you. A heavenly experience without leaving your holiday home, you can each enjoy 60-minutes of bliss while you relax on a heated couch, the perfect way to switch off from the world for a while.
homespacornwall.co.uk
Rolling hills, high moors and undulating coastal tracks await in picturesque Cornwall. Wherever you choose to clock up your step count, Cornwall is a stroller’s paradise. A recent survey stated that one in 2,000 proposals took place on Bondi Beach in Sydney… how about something a little closer to home on one of Cornwall’s beautiful bays?
Valentine’s Day ought to be celebrated with something delicious in hand. When in Cornwall it would be rude not to sample some local liquor…
Ingredients
50ml Penzance gin
30ml Lemon juice, Freshly squeezed
15ml Blackberry and Vanilla liqueur
15ml Sugar Syrup
Dried orange slice to garnish
Method
In a shaker packed with ice, shake gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup vigorously. Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Drizzle liqueur over ice.
Embrace romance in some of our superb properties for two in picturesque places, where you can dine in and snuggle up, while taking advantage of the superbly beautiful locations. Must haves? Fabulous bathrooms and bedrooms certainly help you to sleep well, relax and cosy up. To make your Valentine's day unforgettable, book a Cornish Secrets property.
