Instead of saying it with flowers this year, treat your loved one to a romantic, secluded escape in some of the country’s most unique and quirky properties; without skimping on luxury. Even better, these top picks are all available for Valentine’s weekend. From a shepherd’s hut in Norfolk to a WW2 listening station in Suffolk, a fairytale castle in the Scottish Highlands to a beach hut with sea views, we’ve rounded up the most unusual, romantic getaways in the UK.

All of these unique properties can be booked at www.michaelpaulholidays.co.uk.

1. Secluded Woodland Shepherd’s Hut

A secluded woodland setting is the perfect backdrop for this cosy shepherd’s hut in Norfolk with its pretty vintage gypsy-style. Perfect for two and absolutely unique, it doesn’t get much more romantic than this. Near coast and country, holidays in Norfolk are wonderful. Take a boat trip to see the newborn pups of one of the largest seal colonies in the UK from nearby Blakeney Harbour.

2. Wooden Beach Hut with Sea Views 

If sea views are your passion then this wonderful beach hut with wood-fired hot tub in Scotland could really float your boat. Sink into the hot tub with the fire pit glowing and look right across the Firth of Forth to the gorgeous Isle of May. Take a ferry to the island nature reserve that’s home to nesting seabirds, including puffins, and a large colony of grey seals from April to September.

3. Rustic Log Cabin in the Trees 

For environmentally-minded couples, these quirky green rustic eco-lodges in secluded woodland look down onto beautiful Wembury Beach in South Devon. Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the timber-framed cabins are designed to fit in with their natural surroundings. The park has won the David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award and has recently been recognised as a ‘Honey Bee Friendly Park’. The views have to be seen to be believed.

4. Lighthouse Cottage with Sea Views

This unusual lighthouse cottage has a real wow-factor for a surprise romantic break. Offering spectacular sea views of Cromer in Norfolk, the bedroom has a beautiful domed ceiling formed from the lighthouse tower’s base. The lighthouse is a lovely ten-minute stroll along the coastal path or beach to Cromer’s shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. The sandy beach is particularly picturesque with colourful beach huts and the pier has a very popular traditional theatre with regular shows.

5. Fairytale Tower with Rooftop Hot Tub 

Unique is the only way to describe this amazing fairytale castle tower with a magical turreted rooftop terrace hot tub and breath-taking views over Loch Tay in the Scottish Highlands. This is a seriously impressive romantic escape set on three floors with a second outdoor terrace and dining furniture, a choice of en suite double bedrooms, its own private sauna, a wood-burning stove and even a library!

6. Woodland Shepherd’s Hut  

Another cosy and romantically secluded shepherd’s hut, this time in Suffolk woodland near the market town of Framlington. It’s a wonderful space with a bed/sofa, underfloor heating, a kitchen area and a bathroom, all just a ten-minute walk to the country pub. Outside, there is a decked area with a table and chairs around a fire pit so don’t forget your marshmallows or guitar, and you can even bring your horse!

7. Riverside Windmill Keeper’s Cottage 

Here’s an unusual one, this award-winning windmill keeper’s cottage is in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Norfolk. A very quirky holiday cottage, it won the House of the Year award for architecture and it’s easy to see why. Inside there’s a choice of bedrooms, each with amazing views, and outside are extensive gardens and meadows with a lovely river-front garden. Just half an hour away from Norwich, it’s an ideal base for a day trip to the art galleries and exhibitions at Norwich Castle Museum.

8. Converted Edwardian Railway Signal Box 

If you and your partner love vintage style or the romance of the railway, this lovely restored Edwardian signal box should ring your bell. Situated near the market town of Holt in Norfolk, near Cromer, it is surrounded by landscaped gardens and rolling countryside. Designed as an ‘upside-down’ house with the open plan living space upstairs to take advantage of the countryside views from the tall windows that fold around on three sides while downstairs there is a cosy double bedroom, with en suite shower room.

9. Hexagonal Penthouse with Panoramic Sea Views 

Atop the beautiful Victorian Inn built in 1875 is this exciting hexagonal bedroom with a luxury oversized bed and free-standing copper bath in the unusual penthouse apartment. Situated in John O’Groats on the remote Caithness coastline in the Scottish Highlands, the Inn is set over 2 floors with a spiral staircase and 180-degree views of the Pentland Firth. Ideally located for a whisky-tasting tour at Pulteney Distillery, ferry trips to the Orkney Islands or a visit to the nearby 16th-century Castle and Gardens of Mey.

10. Luxury Eco-Lodge with Rugged Countryside Views 

Get cosy in this unusual luxury eco-lodge overlooking some of the wildest looking landscapes in North Yorkshire. These custom-designed timber eco-lodges have ceiling to floor windows and are built from sustainable wood, have biomass heating, and use a source of natural spring water as to not impact the surrounding environment. Even the luxury toiletries provided are responsibly sourced using natural ingredients. From here you can enjoy wonderful walks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and explore the curiously intriguing Forbidden Corner.

11. WW2 Listening Station Building 

Romantic and unusual, this unique holiday home is on the site of an old World War II listening station once used by Royal Navy Wrens for listening out for German submarines. Situated in Suffolk, it has sea views and a beautiful, secluded beach on its doorstep. Explore nearby Somerleyton Hall, a fine example of Victorian architecture with over 12 acres of gardens and a large arboretum, or Helmingham Hall and its formal gardens within 400 acres of parkland, home to herds of both red and fallow deer along with other wildlife.

12. Scandinavian-style Woodland Lodge 

And finally this glass-fronted Scandinavian-style lodge in Weybourne Forest is close to the coastal village of Weybourne on the North Norfolk coast. Take romantic walks through pretty woodland trails and explore the National Trust’s Sheringham Park, Kelling Heath and the North Norfolk coastal path. You could also take advantage of complimentary membership at the nearby leisure club with a heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spa bath, gym and beauty spa. The lodge is one of a small village of woodland lodges so you won’t feel completely hidden away.

These interesting and unusual holiday homes are certainly all unique in their own sweet ways. You know your partner better than we do (probably), so it’s up to you whether you make the choice and surprise them or decide together which place is just right for you both. One thing’s for sure, everyone loves a romantic getaway.