Valentine’s Day is swiftly approaching and no doubt you are racking your brains to find the perfect romantic gift for your loved one. Why not gift some incredible memories together by giving the gift of Sidmouth? Whether you are thinking of a long weekend, short break or just a day trip, there are a host of romantic things to do in Sidmouth, take a look at some of our suggestions below.
Book a hotel stay
Sidmouth is home to an abundance of beautiful Regency-style hotels. With beautiful architecture, comfortable rooms and plenty of luxuries to ensure the perfect Valentine’s stay, these hotels are ideal for a romantic break away.
The Royal Glen, which at one time was home to an infant Queen Victoria – and we all know about her epic love story!, is a relaxed and quiet option, just off the Esplanade with its own sheltered garden offering a tranquil place to stay. It’s also a great spot for an afternoon tea!
If you want a sea view, there are several options when it comes to hotels. Hotel Riviera is in the centre of the esplanade and overlooks the beach. All the ensuite rooms have a sea view and are designed with the hotel’s history in mind, making it a lovely option for those of you wanting a romantic atmosphere. Occupying most of the seafront is the Royal York and Faulkner, which has a variety of rooms overlooking the beach and Lyme Bay with balconies, giving you an unrivalled view. The Royal York and Faulkner is home to their own Aspara spa, giving you an extra chance to treat your loved one to some pampering. You don’t even need to be a hotel guest to use the spa, which features the beauty room offering a range of treatments, as well as a hydra spa, sauna and steam cabin. Make sure to look out for their packages, giving you treatments and cream teas combined!
Positioned a little higher up is the Victoria Hotel, one of the Brend Hotel’s portfolio. As a former Victorian mansion, this hotel has a special home from home feel, despite its impressive exterior. With an award winning restaurant, comfortable rooms and spa, this is a truly romantic option for a break away. Nearby there is also the Belmont, the Victoria’s sister hotel. This was also once a family home, operating as the summer house for a well to do Victorian family who would visit the coast during the warmer months. As such it is a friendly hotel with the warm ambience of a family home, while still showering you with luxury. Guests at the Belmont also have use of the facilities at the Victoria, so you can gift a stay in one luxury hotel and a pamper session in another!
Another option is a stay at the Sidmouth Harbour Hotel. This hotel boasts rooms complete with 400 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, cosy bathrobes and complimentary toiletries. They also have an amazing onsite spa, allowing you to forget the outside world and enjoy some time together.
Caught up in the romance? Sidmouth Harbour Hotel are hosting a Wedding Showcase on 18th February – if you plan to propose over Valentine’s this is a great way to get the wedding planning off the ground. All these hotels also offer vouchers for stays, if you can’t make it over actual Valentine’s Day. Why not surprise your loved one with a voucher for a romantic stay whenever they like? It’s a great way to acknowledge the day, while also spreading out the romance to the rest of the year! There aren’t just vouchers for stays either, hotels in Sidmouth also offer vouchers for food and drink, including cream teas and spa days!
Book a meal out
Whether you and your partner are foodies or not, a meal out is a great way to celebrate your relationship and East Devon is one of the best places for enjoying a special dinner. Not only does being close to the Jurassic Coast mean incredible fresh seafood is abundant, but the whole region is dedicated to sourcing local ingredients, so you can be sure of delicious, seasonal dishes, wherever you stop to eat in East Devon.
Places like the Victoria Hotel have award winning dining options, with both informal and formal experiences, as well as lighter bites, like traditional Devon cream teas and more indulgent afternoon teas. If you don’t fancy dining in one of the region’s hotels, take a look at some of the independent eateries like Le Pisani in nearby Seaton which provides fresh food with a Mediterranean flair and for those with a sweet tooth, their very own Seaton Waffles.
Or for dinner with a difference, why not embark on a unique journey with Seaton Tramway and their Valentine’s Twilight Tram and Meal event? Great for those of you wanting to put a twist on the typical Valentine’s outings, Twilight Tram and Meal involves a tram ride between Seaton and Colyton followed by a three course meal and complementary prosecco on arrival.
Enjoy a day out
There are plenty of ways to enjoy Valentine’s in East Devon without having to do the more traditional things like hotel stays or meals out. Why not create some memories together by having a day out? There are a host of attractions offering fun whatever your age around East Devon, as well as plenty of picturesque places like the South West Coast Path, Mutter’s Moor, The Byes and Seaton Wetlands, offering places to get out and about and enjoy the natural world.
Alternatively, why not create memories and something you can take home with you by doing some pottery painting at Something Lovely? There are options for same-day painting using acrylics, so you don’t even need to wait!
Looking for more ideas for things to do or places to stay while in Sidmouth and the surrounding area? See below for more options.
