Five romantic forest cabins where you won’t see another soul

You can see for miles from the covered deck of Skylark but there’s no one else in sight, just the rolling hills of Exmoor stretching out before you. This rustic Devon cabin is in Europe’s first dark sky nature reserve, so stargazing should be a headline act on your leisurely line-up. 

Even if you’re not a born romantic, Skylark and its stunning surroundings make it ridiculously easy to set the scene. Just pop the fizz, melt into the blissful warmth of the outdoor bathtub and gaze up at the starry skies. Your work here is done. The two of you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to places to cuddle up. Alternate between the rocking chair on the veranda, the elevated sunset seating area or the squidgy red sofa in front of the wood burner.

This grown-up bolthole-for-two has its own sauna where you can warm up after a stomp in the hills or dry off after a soak in the outdoor bath. When you can offer up a mini spa break as part of your romantic cabin holiday, your other half is bound to be impressed. 

In a peaceful dell surrounded by rolling valleys, this cool forest retreat has a vast king-size bed made from windblown oak, a wood burner and a sleek kitchen, all designed for maximum comfort. Hiking trails are close by for ruddy-cheeked walks, and there’s an abundance of atmospheric pubs for dreamy candlelit dinners.

Get lost in the woods together at secluded River Lodge, deep in the heart of a 6,000-acre estate in the North York Moors. The forest cabin sits on a private stretch of river where you might spot salmon, sea trout and curious otters. There’s no need to leave the cosy comfort of the obscenely inviting king size bed to take in the views – just throw open the sliding doors to the veranda, snuggle up on piles of pillows under sheepskin rugs and gaze at the river below. 

If you can drag yourselves out of bed, dip a toe (or fully submerge yourself) in the flowing water and soak up the perfect peace. It only gets better when you realise Egton Estate even has its own pub with a beer garden, outdoor bar, BBQ and fantastic farm shop. Why can’t normal life be more like this?

At Kingfisher Cabin, the riverbank and woodland are your playground with owls, otters, goldfinches and, of course, kingfishers as your only companions. The spacious forest cabin is charmingly decorated with a king-size bed, wood burner, large veranda and a hammock strung between the trees. 

For a movie-montage romantic outing, Kingfisher Cabin has its own rowing boat to take out on idyllic river trips. If you’d rather experience the thrill of the cold water together, try swimming by the waterfall on the brook. There are some incredible walks nearby, and the beautiful and eccentric book haven of Hay-on-Wye is down the road for a fun, literary outing before you retreat to the cabin to read your souvenirs in companionable silence.

Off-grid and hidden in ancient woodland, Hansel is a romantic forest cabin made for couples craving peace and seclusion. Set in the Cumbrian mountains, with lakes just minutes away, it’s a place to slow down, stargaze and reconnect.

Spend days wild swimming, hiking hand in hand or feeding the friendly goats and donkey onsite. When the weather turns, cosy up indoors with board games and the sound of rain on the roof. Outside, soak in your private wood-fired sauna and plunge bath, or light the firepit for a starlit dinner. With panoramic views and no one else in sight, this is the kind of romantic escape that feels like your own secret hideaway.