Couples glamping breaks with romantic activities

You know your romantic break is off to a great start when you discover the impressive selection of “welcome gins” waiting on the dresser at Bowcombe Boathouse in Devon. Within minutes you’ll be nursing one, barefoot on the deck, gazing out over the peaceful water. The best way to explore is by kayak so pack a few snacks and head out from your private jetty to drift gently around the Kingsbride estuary. If paddleboarding is more your cup of tea, they’re available to rent from nearby Crabshell Inn. The Boathouse is sumptuously decorated in dark teal, aged brass and a collection of foraged and found treasures. It’s somewhere to cuddle up after a day on the water and relive your adventures.

If movie night is your favourite way to spend time together, you’re in for a treat at Ragnarr shepherd’s hut in Cornwall. It’s got its own private cinema shed where you can stage a romantic screening just for two (or three, the hut can accommodate one child). If you’re not relaxed enough already, sink into the hot tub on the deck for a long soak and keep your eyes peeled for birds, bats and even deer wandering through the gardens. Some of Cornwall’s most beautiful countryside is on the doorstep, from Dartmoor and Bodmin to the 18-mile long Camel Trail – perfect for beginner cyclists.

Up your swashbuckling adventure quotient at The Nancy Blackett, perched on a little island in Somerset. You and your partner can role play Swallows and Amazons for a few days, paddling around the lake in your boat, rowing over to a secluded spot with a hammock and cooking sausages over the campfire. When it’s time to relax, sneaky little luxuries like the hot tub and wood fired pizza oven are the perfect counterbalance to all that exploring. If you can drag yourselves away from your little kingdom, you’re only half an hour’s drive from the magnificent cathedral at Wells, the mystic magic of Glastonbury and the stunning stalactite caverns of the Cheddar Gorge.

Impress your partner with your flair for the dramatic by putting on a performance they’ll never forget in the open-air cliffside amphitheatre at Halzephron House. Once the applause has died down, check out a different type of star through the telescope in The Observatory. On a clear night, you might spot the Milky Way and shooting stars. By day, the epic sea views are best enjoyed with a glass of wine from the chairs on the deck overlooking your spacious garden. Halzephron House is perfectly situated to explore miles of secluded Cornish beaches and pretty fishing villages. While you’re there, pick up some fresh seafood to cook for a romantic dinner.

Southcombe Piggery is in the heart of beautiful Dartmoor National Park but there’s so much to do on site you could easily forget to venture further afield. As well as a contemporary art gallery up at the main house, there are numerous wellbeing activities and workshops available including sound baths, Indian head massage, forest bathing and Reiki. If craft is more your thing, try making each other a flower crown or book a Lino-cut printmaking session and create a personal work of art together. Even going for a walk is pretty special at Southcombe Barn with five acres of National Garden Scheme wildflower gardens to explore.