WITH THE START OF THEIR ROMANTIC RENAISSANCE

The Yorkshire coast is calling for a romantic renaissance in 2022, starting with the most loved-up date in the UK calendar – Valentine’s Day.

“Whether you’re renewing your vows or popping the question, many couples are feeling ready to make 2022 the most romantic ever after the past two years.   Here on the Yorkshire coast, we’re coming to the rescue of true romantics.  Not only do we have the setting – stunning scenery, glorious sunsets and luxurious places to stay – but we have a passion for living love ‘a little less ordinary’,” says Janet Deacon, head of tourism and culture for Scarborough Council and Discover Yorkshire Coast.

Scarborough Spa’s Sun Court makes a wonderful place for a wedding or to pop the question.

Romance under the stars  Enjoy a celestial, sensory Dark Sky or Magical Moonlit Meander, or a starlit ‘Awe Walk’ with Adventures for the Soul.  Or take a trip to the Milky Way during the region’s Dark Skies Festival and unlock the secrets of Britain’s starriest skies together (and if you’re lucky, spot the Northern Lights).

For the ring?  Long before diamonds came on the scene, Whitby Jet was legendary for lovers, a magical symbol of never-ending love.  Today, the gemstone is becoming increasingly popular as an engagement ring and forget-me-not charm – and the best place in the world to get your hands on it is Whitby.  The tiny seaside town is one of the few places left on earth where locally-sourced jet – of the highest quality in the world – is hand-crafted into jewellery.

If music be the food of love?  Some of the world’s greatest love songsters – including Simply Red, Tom Jones, Lewis Capaldi, Bryan Adams, Westlife and Lionel Richie – will be performing in Scarborough (in summer 2022) at Europe’s largest open-air theatre, the beachside Scarborough Open Air Theatre.

Scarborough Open Air theatre.

For the Bridgerton effect, head to magnificent Castle Howard, a stately mansion that was intimately revealed in this year’s sexiest costume drama, Bridgerton as the home of the dashing Duke of Hastings.

Castle Howard

Get Grease-style giddy with love on vintage fairground rides – including the cakewalk, dodgems, ghost train, and golden galloping horses – at the Scarborough Fair Collection.

Breakfast with seals or meet penguins poolside for a VIP experience that is also helping wildlife conservation at Scarborough Sealife or Flamingo Land Zoo.

Fall in love, body and soul. The Yorkshire coast takes the idea of romantic relaxation to whole new level: spend a day at Wellness Alpamare a unique and world-leading luxury spa experience with multi-sensory saunas and steam rooms, and an extraordinary menu of rituals and treatments from across the globe.

If all of that’s whet your appetite, feed your passion with the very best of food.  The Yorkshire Coast has all of the top ingredients for love in abundance, some of Britain’s top restaurants and gastropubs for wining and dining, as well as tea-rooms and bakeries of such excellence that the area has been dubbed Britain’s ‘Capital of Cake’.  You can even enjoy a celebrity-style sunset cruise on your own boat (Whitby’s A Starr in the Harbour), entertained by your personal chef.

Locally-produced aphrodisiacs – with a UK-leading reputation – include seaweed, organically grown by the UK’s first seaweed farm; strawberries and asparagus; heather honey from the North York Moors; North Sea oysters; chocolate; beef (favoured in medieval times for a romantic meal); and even whisky and beer made with ‘holy’ spring water once revered for fertility.

“You don’t need to travel halfway around the globe, to create a special moment that you’ll remember together for years to come.  For centuries, the Yorkshire Coast has been a favourite destination for honeymooners, and couples seeking to rekindle their flame.  You could even say that the region was designed for romance.  With our eateries and accommodation all set to welcome lovers with exclusive Valentine’s packages, there’s plenty of temptation for those seeking something a little extraordinary in 2022,” says Janet.

She adds: “Even being beside the seaside puts us in the mood for love: apparently, the negative ions in sea air help us absorb oxygen and balance our seratonin levels, making us feel more relaxed and energised.   It’s even thought that the ‘white noise’ of listening to waves can make us feel calmer, allowing us to engage better with our surroundings – and each other!”

You’ll find much more inspiration at www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com

Castle Howard Pic. Mike Kipling