Our most romantic places to celebrate a milestone birthday

If you’re planning a surprise birthday getaway, this one pulls out all the stops. Think dramatic views, steamy saunas, and outdoor star-lit soaking in the twin roll-top baths, perfect for a romantic moment with your favourite person as the sun dips behind the hills of this 11th century farm. There’s also a suspended king-sized bed that turns sleeping into a magical experience. 

To add a thoughtful touch that will set the tone for a romantic stay, the hosts can arrange for a locally grown, hand-tied bouquet to be waiting when you arrive. And for a celebratory dinner, head to The Old Inn. They offer Michelin-star-level food in a warm, relaxed setting. It’s finesse without the stuffiness, which makes for the perfect balance.

Tucked into a private cove on the Devon coast, Carswell Beach Hut is a perfect birthday escape for anyone who dreams of marking their birthday with salt in their hair and sand between their toes. Wake to the sound of waves, then laze the day away between sea swims, hammock naps, and outdoor showers. 

Pre-order one of the delicious local hampers and choose between a Devon cream tea hamper, breakfast hamper for two, or the organic BBQ box. Walk a chunk of the South West Coast Path or simply sink into the wood-fired hot tub as the sun melts into the sea. At night, hold an intimate beachside BBQ, stargaze with a glass of wine, and wriggle into the mezzanine bed warmed by the wood burner. It’s rugged, romantic, and ridiculously special.

Willow Igluhut is a dreamy retreat offering complete peace and privacy. Wake up to birdsongs, sip coffee in bed, and breathe in the crisp countryside air. Start the special day by wandering to the honesty shop for a homemade breakfast treat, then spend the afternoon paddleboarding on the River Alde, exploring the wild Suffolk coast, or simply cuddled up together in your cosy cabin.   

As the sun sets, light the firebowl, pour a glass of champagne and toast to a year of new adventures. If you feel like dining out, a short stroll leads to The Royal Oak’s charming beer garden or the King’s Head’s intimate tap room, where you can enjoy delicious food and a few celebratory toasts. At the end of the night, retreat to the warmth of your cabin, listen to the owls calling in the trees and savour the magic of this milestone moment together.

If you’re looking for a milestone birthday that’s equal parts romance and indulgence, The Damselfly Treehouse is the spot. This luxury hideaway sits directly above a working vineyard. A complimentary bottle of award-winning Black Chalk fizz, made from the vines beneath you is chilling in the fridge on arrival, so you can pop the cork and get the celebrations started right away.  

Start the day with an outdoor shower under a towering sycamore or sink into the giant copper bath on the deck, glass in hand, taking in the rows of vines below. Book the wood-fired sauna or winery tasting tour, explore the breathtaking Test Valley, or join a seasonal truffle hunt for a truly unique experience. Once you’re suitably wined, dined and pampered, light the wood burner, get cosy and toast to the start of another great decade.

If you want serious wow-factor for a birthday escape, Chui Treehouse delivers big-time romance. Sumptuously decorated in rich golds, teals and natural wood inside, it feels fit for any special celebration, but the true magic is its connection to nature. Set in the canopy of an ancient oak wood, this lavish treetop retreat wraps you in nature’s embrace while spoiling you with luxurious details. A skylight above the bed lets you drift off under a blanket of stars, while huge windows flood the space with golden light and sweeping views of rolling hills.  

The hot tub, tucked into its own private orchard, is the perfect spot to toast your milestone moment. For a zen start to a new decade, unwind together with an on-site couples' massage, reflexology, or yoga session. Once you’re ready to explore, you’ve got the best of Cornwall on your doorstep with St Ives, The Eden Project and National Trust beaches close by.

Pomeroy Treehouse is a hideaway in the Somerset countryside that’s equal parts whimsical, luxurious and tailor-made for a romantic birthday escape. Borrow vintage Dutch bikes to explore the orchard lanes in the day, then return and unwind in the Finnish-style sauna or al fresco bath.  

Cook under the stars or bake your own pizzas with the BIY pizza pack or go all out with the celebration bundle. It has flowers from the region’s most sought-after florist, local chocolates, champagne from the neighbouring vineyard, and a handcrafted birthday banner. To end the day, follow the winding spiral staircase until you emerge out onto the secret roof terrace, draped in willow leaves, with cosy seating in front on a firepit and an outdoor tv built into the wall.

This cosy shepherd’s hut on edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park is made for starry nights and some serious snuggling. Slip into the outside bath and soak beneath the night sky in the glow of lantern light, and the softest couples' robes to wrap up in afterwards.  

For a unique birthday adventure, Alpaca My Boots offers scenic walks with fluffy, nose-nuzzling companions nearby. Or take a Dragonfly Cruise along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, drifting along a historical waterway and past some of Wales’ most breathtaking scenery. And because no milestone birthday is complete without a toast, head to Hop In Beer & Gin, a tiny but mighty local gem with an epic tapas menu and an even better drinks selection. At the end of the day, curl up in bed, draw the curtains and let the crackling fire lull you to sleep.

Because sometimes being romantic means showing your loved one how much you care by gathering their favourite people in one magical place for a big birthday surprise. Box Barn at Munday’s Meadow is a wildflower-filled glampsite in the Cotswolds where up to 24 guests can celebrate. 

You’ve got six gorgeous lotus belle tents, two shepherd’s huts, and a cosy cabin to choose from, so you can still sneak away for private birthday moments together too. You can book in for woodland foraging and feasting, flower crown workshops, or holistic massages in the meadow’s treatment tent, then toast to a new decade under fairy lights and festooned trees. This birthday will feel like a joyful, grown-up festival, and your loved one will be over the moon you prepared such a thoughtful trip for them.