VALENTINE’S DAY RESEARCH REVEALS THE POPULARITY OF THE HONEYMOON STAYCATION

With Valentine’s Day less than a month away, new research reveals that exactly half of married couples have honeymooned in the UK – proving romance is alive and kicking in some of the nation’s most popular resorts.

A further 64 per cent have returned or already plan to revisit their honeymoon destination to rekindle those magical memories, according to findings from cottages4you. The leading cottage letting agency has partnered with VisitEngland to celebrate the importance of holiday memories, with 2012 shaping up to be one of the most memorable yet. 

For those planning a romantic break, VisitEngland and cottages4you provide their following guide to ‘five of the best’ activities and places to stay across England on February 14th:

1. The Peak District – Experience a taste of Pride and Prejudice
Chatsworth in the Peak District stands in for Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice, arguably the most romantic love story of all time!
Where to stay: Orchard Cottage, Holmesfield, Derbyshire (cottages4you ref: QWM)
In a picturesque country location on the edge of the Peak District, this cosy, beamed cottage with its own terrace overlooking orchards, has been meticulously converted from 18th-century stables and furnished in a traditional style.
Price: £272 for a four night self-catering stay arriving Monday, 13th February. This equates to £34 pppn.

2. Norfolk – Visit the romantic final scene from Shakespeare in Love
A young Shakespeare, out of ideas and short of cash, meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays in the film Shakespeare in Love (1998).The romantic final scene was filmed on Holkham Beach in North Norfolk.
Where to stay: Flint Cottage, Fakenham, North Norfolk (cottages4you ref: AD81)
This delightful, tastefully furnished, 19th-century holiday cottage is set in a quiet location and is approximately 10 miles from Holkham Beach. 
Price: As part of cottages4you’s Winter Sale, the property was £329, now £284.15 for a four night self-catering stay arriving Monday, 13th February. This equates to £11.84 pppn

3. The New Forest – What better place to escape to than ‘Lover’ in The New Forest?
What more romantic setting could there be than a place named Lover? This peaceful forest hamlet at the northern tip of the New Forest, is an ideal place for couples to visit, if only to pose by the village sign for an amusing photo opportunity!  The nearby woodlands also provide a lovely spot for a romantic stroll.
Where to stay: The Stable Beaulieu, Beaulieu, Hants. (cottages4yoy ref: DBBD)
The Stable at Beaulieu is set in a peaceful, rural location with direct access to The New Forest. The detached, former stables has been converted to a high standard, whilst its wood-burning stove makes it a perfect holiday retreat on those cold winter nights.
Price: £306 for a four night self-catering stay arriving Monday, 13th February. This equates to £38.25 pppn

4. Northumberland – Let stargazing put you in the mood for romance!
Kielder Forest is a great location for gazing up at the clearest and least light polluted skies in the country. A perfect destination in which to experience the great outdoors, the magnificent landscape holds ideal conditions for stargazing, with regular star camps allowing amateur astronomers to sleep under the stars.
Where to stay: Bankhouse Farm Cottages – Middle Berry, Guyzance, Northumberland (cottages4you ref: MQS)
One of 12 charming holiday cottages set in a beautiful small development of traditional farmhouse and barn conversions – providing a gateway to the picturesque Northumberland National Park.
Price: £280 for a four night self-catering stay arriving Monday, 13th February. This equates to £17.50 pppn

5. Cambridge – Take a romantic stroll or go punting on the River Cam
Represented by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (otherwise known as Kate and Wills, the world’s most famous newlyweds), Cambridge is the perfect place for a romantic date. Go punting on the River Cam, take a stroll through the history-steeped colleges and have afternoon tea at Grantchester. This riverside village is home to the Orchard Tea Garden, where artists, poets, writers and intellectuals have met for picnics for over a century.
Where to stay: Netherall Manor Lodge, near Ely, Cambridgeshire (cottages4you ref: 50311)
A charming converted stables with clock tower is situated in the grounds of the owner’s house, providing a quietly secluded, idyllic setting.
Price: As part of cottages4you’s Winter Sale, the property was £209, now £191.10 for a four night self-catering stay arriving Monday, 13th February. This equates to £15.93 pppn

For further information or to book any of the above cottages:

www.cottages4you.co.uk
0845 268 1560

For more information and for holiday inspiration visit www.enjoyengland.com  

ENDS

For more press information or images, please contact press@lucre.co.uk or speak to Chris, Gaby, Gemma, Tom, Claire or Calvin on 0113 243 1117.

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cottages4you  

About cottages4you:
cottages4you, voted best UK Cottage/Self Catering Booking Company at the British Travel Awards, is part of the Hoseasons Group (THG), the UK’s leading supplier of self catering holiday accommodation with a portfolio of over 27,000 properties across the UK and Europe. THG is comprised of a variety of customer facing brands and brand families, available through travel agents or direct over the telephone or internet. THG is part of Wyndham Exchange and Rentals, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN). 
 
About VisitEngland:
VisitEngland is the country’s national tourist board, which works in partnership with the industry to develop the visitor experience across England, plans national tourism strategy, grows the value of tourism in England and provides advocacy for the industry and our visitors. More information can be found on www.enjoyengland.com and www.visitengland.org