Our Top Romantic Restaurants in the Cotswolds

We’re a romantic bunch at heart here at Character Cottages, and with Valentine’s Day just around the corner we know you’ll be planning your February break. Here are our five favourite romantic restaurants in the Cotswolds that are perfect for a special and intimate occasion.

The Wild Rabbit, Kingham

First up we’re getting dirty. By which we obviously mean a heart-warming romantic meal followed by cross-country muddy walk or romp to the nearby farm estate. The Wild Rabbit is dubbed ‘the poshest pub in Britain’ and is set in the UK’s largest Organic farmland in the idyllic Gloucestershire countryside.

Strictly a ‘modern British pub’, rather than a restaurant, but this is no ordinary inn, not least because the landlord is non-other than Lady Bamford.

The idyllic village setting and stylish ‘at home’ atmosphere combined with high-end, award-winning food, makes this an ideal choice for a relaxed dining experience, where couples with no need to impress can sit back and take in the theatre of the open kitchen and admire the thoughtfully stylish décor.

Le Champignon Sauvage, Cheltenham

This understated but sublime restaurant is the one to head to for a particular special occasion, such as an anniversary.

We have moved west across the Cotswolds now and journey along the culinary map to classic French dining at Le Champignon Sauvage, which translates as Wild Mushroom. This is a Michelin star restaurant but the service and atmosphere are unobtrusive and unpretentious, with outstanding food and spacious dining tables, giving diners privacy to enjoy a special occasion or romantic meal without distractions.

Eckington Manor

A lovely husband and wife foodie partnership continues into our next recommendation with this charming 12th century manor house set in a 260 acre estate on the River Avon. Whilst sitting just outside the Cotswolds, a state-of-the-art cookery school and award-winning restaurant makes this a destination dining experience.

The chef team, Sue and Mark Stinchcombe, met at Le Champignon Sauvage and bring to Eckington Manor a passion for foraging that was a signature of Le Champignon Sauvage long before it was fashionable. If you visit Eckington Manor over the summer season, the nearby Confetti Flowers Field is a truly unique romantic experience too.

Lords of the Manor, Upper Slaughter

The restaurant at the Lords of the Manor Hotel, set in the rolling countryside of Upper Slaughter, is named as one of the Top 20 Most Romantic Dining Rooms by The Times. And we quite agree. With pre-dinner drinks and canapes in the drawing room, a refined table service looking out over a private walled garden, expert Sommelier and award-winning Young National Chef of the Year in the top-class kitchen, this is a memorable restaurant that is ideal for a special occasion.

Alternatively, enjoy a romantic stroll with your loved one around the eight acre manor house gardens followed by one of the best Afternoon Teas in the Cotswolds.

Purslane, Cheltenham

Known for their superb tasting menus, Valentine’s is a great time to try their intimate dining experience. With combinations on the tasting menu including rose, doughnut and pistachio, we’re already feeling our taste buds tingling.

Purslane’s small, intimate atmosphere offers the best of relaxed fine-dining in the Cotswolds. Owner and chef of the family-run restaurant, Gareth Fulford, puts seafood from the British coastline at the heart of his seasonal menus. Aphrodisiac or not,
we couldn’t choose a better place for sharing a platter of fresh oysters with a loved one this February.