What could be more romantic than a stay in a stately home? That is exactly what you get at Swinton Park in Masham, North Yorkshire. The 30-room castle sits on a 20,000-acre estate, and a stay here feels like a visit to a family-friend's country manor. There are plenty of activities on the estate to engage in, but the indoor activities - such as reading in the drawing room - offer plenty of options for rainy days. The interiors are classically grand.
Swinton Park: Masham, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 4JH (01765 680900; www.swintonpark.com).