Five romantic forest cabins where you won’t see another soul

You can see for miles from the covered deck of Skylark but there’s no one else in sight, just the rolling hills of Exmoor stretching out before you. This rustic Devon cabin is in Europe’s first dark sky nature reserve, so stargazing should be a headline act on your leisurely line-up. Even if you’re not a born romantic, Skylark and its stunning surroundings make it ridiculously easy to set the scene. Just pop the fizz, melt into the blissful warmth of the outdoor bathtub and gaze up at the starry skies. Your work here is done. The two of you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to places to cuddle up – alternate between the rocking chair on the veranda, the elevated sunset seating area or the squidgy red sofa in front of the wood burner. Nearby, there are bracing coastal hikes and beautiful beaches to explore, or you could just go for one more dip in that tempting tub again.

This grown up bolthole-for-two has its own sauna where you can warm up after a stomp in the hills, or dry off after a soak in the outdoor bath. When you can offer up a mini spa break as part of your romantic cabin holiday, your other half is bound to be impressed. Nestled in a peaceful dell surrounded by rolling valleys, this cool forest retreat has a vast king-size bed made from windblown oak, a wood burner and a sleek kitchen – all designed for maximum comfort. Hiking trails are close by for ruddy-cheeked walks, and there’s an abundance of atmospheric pubs for dreamy candlelit dinners. If you prefer to remain in splendid isolation, whip up a feast in Eden Vale’s fully-kitted kitchen, then roast marshmallows over the fire pit and watch the bats flying above. After a few days of Cumbrian magic you’ll return with a glow in your hearts as well as your complexions.

Get lost in the woods together at secluded River Lodge, deep in the heart of a 6,000 acre estate in the North York Moors. The forest cabin sits on a private stretch of river where you might spot salmon, sea trout and curious otters. There’s no need to leave the cosy comfort of the obscenely inviting king size bed to take in the views – just throw open the sliding doors to the veranda, snuggle up on piles of pillows under sheepskin rugs and gaze at the river below. If you can drag yourselves out of bed, dip a toe (or fully submerge yourself) in the flowing water and soak up the perfect peace. It only gets better when you realise Egton Estate even has its own pub with a beer garden, outdoor bar, BBQ and fantastic farm shop. Why can’t normal life be more like this?

At Kingfisher Cabin, the trees seem to wrap their branches around the two of you while the rest of the world melts away. Along with the mobile phone signal, which is blissfully minimal. The riverbank and woodland are your playground with owls, otters, goldfinches and – of course – kingfishers as your only companions. The spacious forest cabin is charmingly decorated with a king size bed, wood burner, large veranda and a hammock strung between the trees. For a movie-montage romantic outing, Kingfisher Cabin has its own rowing boat to take out on idyllic river trips. If you’d rather experience the thrill of the cold water together, try swimming by the waterfall on the brook. There are some incredible walks nearby, and the beautiful and eccentric book mecca of Hay-on-Wye is down the road for a fun, literary outing before you retreat to the cabin to read your souvenirs in companionable silence.

Love birds look no further, your luxurious nest awaits. The Bird Box is a quirky, fairy-lit hideaway in Honeyside Down’s wild wooded garden. It’s sheer escapism as you soak under ‘candlelit trees’ in the hot tub then cosy up together in your rustic four-poster bed, perched on the upper floor. When you wake up, you’ll be tempted to linger and chat for hours over morning coffees on the veranda, while gazing at the park and the river way down below. For a romantic treat, book an indulgent massage in your forest cabin, or if you’re ready to fly the coop, explore the delights of the local Devon countryside. Dartmoor is easily reached by following an old tramway through fields and meadows. You might not be royalty, but a stay in Bird Box will definitely feel like a fairytale romance.