Fancy a romantic weekend away for Valentine’s Day?

Then you won’t have far to go to enjoy some home-grown delights.

THE North is home to some of the most romantic and dramatic love stories ever told. The region’s countryside and coastline has been the backdrop for love stories from Lord Byron’s wedding and honeymoon, to the forbidden love and elopement of Bessie Surtees.

The region’s castles, beauty spots and cities will provide an unforgettable Valentine’s weekend break. Here are just a few romantic spots to inspire you:

STARGAZING AT KIELDER

PACK a blanket, snuggle up on the lake shore and watch the stars’ reflections twinkling in the water. Kielder Water and Forest Park is one of the least light-polluted places in England and was named the most tranquil place in the country by the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

The new lakeside way encircles the man-made reservoir and is great for discovering the art installations dotted along the shoreline, including the minotaur maze.

See visitkielder.com

Stay nearby: The luxurious Scandinavianstyle Kielder Lodges are in peaceful surroundings with stunning views across Kielder Water and are perfect for a romantic break.

See nwl.co.uk

CITY BY NIGHT

THERE is no better way to see Newcastle and Gateshead than by night. Newcastle has a huge choice of bars and restaurants, and an evening stroll along the dramatic Quayside is one of the best ways to share a romantic moment.

Standing on the dramatically lit Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the newest of the seven bridges crossing the River Tyne, you can take in the sights, including the nearby SageGateshead music venue; the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts and the iconic Tyne Bridge.Finish off your night with a drink in the Pitcher and Piano bar which overlooks the Millennium Bridge.

Visit newcastlegateshead.com

Stay nearby: Malmaison, on the Quayside, offers fantastic views of the Tyne and its attractions.

The hotel’s brasserie is ideal for an intimate meal for two, serving simple, classic dishes using the best local produce.

See malmaison.com

CASTLES RULE

THE North-East is home to more castles than any other region in England and Dunstanburgh Castle is one of the most magnificent.

The views from this ruin, wave-battered by the coastline, are some of the best in the region. To get there, set off from the fishing village of Craster walking along the North Sea shore.

Make sure you leave enough time to sample Craster kippers, still smoked in a traditional smokehouse in the heart of the village.

Visit english-heritage.org.uk/dunstanburghcastle Further along the coast is Bamburgh Castle, standing on a cliff overlooking the Northumberland coastline, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the castle was restored in the 1900s by industrialist Lord Armstrong.

Stay nearby: Where better to escape to on your Valentine’s break than a luxurious, cosy cottage on the coast? Coastal Retreats looks after a number of luxury coastal cottages to cater for all needs. The company picked up the Self- Catering Accommodation of the Year Award at the 2010 North East England Tourism Awards, for the Moo House and Cow Shed, near Newton by the Sea.

See coastalretreats.co.uk

TOP OF THE WORLD

HIRE an open-top car and drive along one of the most scenic roads in England. Cutting through the heart of the North Pennines, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the road takes you from Stanhope, through moorland famed for its array of wild flowers in spring and heather in summer. The road continues past High Force, England’s longest waterfall, and part of the Raby Castle Estate. Eventually you will find yourself in Barnard Castle, home of The Bowes Museum.

Visit northpennines.org.uk and thebowesmuseum.

org.uk

Stay nearby: Slack House Farm B&B, Ireshopeburn, Weardale. Feltmaker Ellie Langley provides award-winning eco-friendly accommodation as well as hosting courses on everything from feltmaking to basketweaving and healing herbs. This Green Tourism Business is powered entirely from renewable energy, helping you to escape from it all and get back to basics.

See fleecewithaltitude.co.uk

ISLAND LIFE

TO get away from it all and spend some quality time with your loved one, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, is the place to head.The island is cut off from the Northumberland mainland twice a day by the tide and is accessible only by a causeway.So once you watch the last car leave, you can wander around the island (population about 160), snuggle up in front of the warm fire in one of the island’s pubs, or take an evening stroll along the beach, which looks across to the mainland and Bamburgh Castle.

Stay nearby: The Crown and Anchor pub offers B&B and has rooms overlooking Lindisfarne Castle and the Priory as well as the neighbouring Farne Islands.

See holyislandcrown.co.uk

* For more inspiration for your Valentine’s weekend break go to the Inspire Me section of visitnortheastengland.com and check out the Rediscover the Romance itinerary.