What could be more romantic than gazing up at thousands of stars with the one you love? From romantic retreats for two in a Dark Sky Friendly cottage to 'stars & spa' breaks and stargazing evenings, discover the wonder of the night sky this Valentine's Day. To help you, we've rounded up some of the best ways to enjoy the skies above Northumberland in February.
Stay & Gaze
Snap up this late availability cottage from Cottages in Northumberland and take stargazing in Northumberland at your own pace.
Built originally as a fisherman's cottage in the 1820s, Kittiwake Cottage in Seahouses is full of cosy character and charm. It provides an excellent base for a couple looking to stroll hand-in-hand along the beautiful Northumberland coast beaches for a chance to glimpse the mesmerising aurora borealis far out over the North Sea.
By day, take a walk along Main Street for a little retail therapy or head for the harbour to catch a boat trip to the Farne Islands.
Supper with the Stars
Enjoy an introduction to galaxies and cosmology with the Dark Sky Discovery Night at the award-winning Battlesteads Hotel Observatory on the edge of the largest area of protected dark skies in Europe, the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park.
Thanks to their restaurant with a tasty menu full of produce from their kitchen garden, you can 'gaze with good grub'. Extend your stargazing experience even further with an overnight stay for the chance to go wild with a walk in the nearby Northumberland National Park.
Stars and spa
If you prefer a little luxury in your life, treat your loved one to a romantic night away at award-winning hotel Matfen Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa from just £89pp.
Their dinner, bed and breakfast Valentine's special offer includes full use of the Aqua Vitae Spa, so indulge yourself with some relaxing treatments by day before being wined and dined in the AA rosette Library restaurant. Skip after dinner drinks and take the short drive to the iconic Hadrian's Wall to stargaze as the Romans would have done 2000 years ago.
Already prepared for Valentine's Day?
If you don't celebrate Valentine's Day or want to keep the romance going throughout 2016, there are plenty of things happening in March.
Get into the wilds with the Spring Kielder Starcamp or an astro camp-over at Bellingham Campsite. If you like your creature comforts, book up for the 'Jupiter, Moon, Sun & Stars' weekend at the Redesdale Arms in Otterburn.
