Best places to propose in Devon & Cornwall

Romantic breaks

Posted by Ed on 17th January 2022

Devon and Cornwall proposals

If you're looking to take your relationship to the next level and ask the special person in your life a very important question, you'll be wanting to set the scene for your future life together with a memorable proposal in a beautiful location. 

Whether you're a couple who loves walking hand in hand along a sandy beach, you enjoy the finer things in life like delicious food and drink, or you love exploring off the beaten track, Devon and Cornwall have plenty to offer when it comes to romantic settings.

Here are a few ideas for backdrops to, potentially, one of the most significant moments of your life. And if you'd like to browse our collection of romantic cottages near these places to propose to really set the scene, just click the button below.

Romantic cottages


Best places to propose in Devon

tunnels beach

Tunnels Beaches, Ilfracombe

This potential spot for a marriage proposal is also home to a wedding venue – Tunnels Beaches is a romantic location in central Ilfracombe with a procession of tunnels interlinking some secluded beaches at the bottom of striking, wild cliffs. One of the best places to propose in Devon, it's also one of the county's best beaches; there are amazing views out over the Bristol Channel and lots of quiet areas to choose from for your magic moment. There is a small fee to visit the Tunnel Beaches.

Romantic cottage nearby: Millbrook At Bicclescombe | Sleeps 2 + 2 dogs


bucks mills

Bucks Mills, near Clovelly

If remote, rocky beaches stir romantic feelings in you, Bucks Mills is a fantastic spot to pop the question with elevated views over Bideford Bay. The South West Coast Path crosses through the village leading to unspoilt clifftop woodlands. Down at sea level, there is a waterfall, rock pools and sandy access to water. On a clear day, you can see across the bay to Baggy Point and Lundy, 10 miles out to sea. Bucks Mills is a great, tucked away spot, characterised by the ruins of a mill, deep woodlands, and links to the artists Judith Ackland and Mary Stella Edwards, life partners who lived in the charming cabin overlooking the sea. A real candidate for romantic places to propose.

Romantic cottage nearby: Bo-peep | Sleeps 2


Barricane

Barricane Beach, Woolacombe

Looking for one of the best places to propose to your lover at sunset? Well, North Devon has got several west-facing beaches, but our favourite is the narrow Barricane Beach, a Site of Special Scientific Interest which can be found beyond the northern end of Woolacombe Beach. Cut off from the main stretch of wide beach that runs south from the latter to Putsborough; it is delightfully defined by the rockpools and craggy rock outcrops that gild its high edges. You can find shells that have washed in from the Caribbean here, so keep an eye out from some beauties. Barricane Beach is quieter and lesser-known offering plenty of space and time to enjoy a romantic, personally historic sunset naturally curated just for you. Check tide times before making those ‘all-crucial’ plans, then celebrate with a curry feast from the unique restaurant on the beach.

Romantic cottage nearby: Heanton Cottage | Sleeps 2 + 2 dogs


Lynton

Lynton

Lynton is the elevated sister of the sea-level Lynmouth. Some of the highest and most panoramic beauty spots can be found in Lynton particularly along the South West Coast Path between the town and the Valley of The Rocks, 1 mile away to the west. If you like breathtaking panoramas over the sea and the town below, Lynton is a great choice for where to propose; on clear days you can see the peaks of the mountains in Wales and you're surrounding by stunning Exmoor scenery. Keep an eye out for dolphins, frequent visitors to North Devon waters. Lynton and Lynmouth have many fine eateries too, so if all the romance makes you hungry, you won’t be caught out.

Romantic cottage nearby: 28 Watersmeet | Sleeps 4


River Dart

The River Dart

The River Dart has been described as the English equivalent to the Rhine in Germany. Why not propose to your loved one on the water? The Picnic Boat is an inspired choice, available for private charter from Dartmouth. You can enjoy a fully-prepared lunch whilst floating along this entirely gorgeous part of South Devon. You could also propose in privacy in the small waterside village of Dittisham where the boat turns around, before taking a romantic riverside walk, hand in hand. This is a unique and memorable way to mark your special occasion, and there are plenty more things to do in Dartmouth to fill the rest of your romantic break.

Romantic cottage nearby: Milber Cottage | Sleeps 6 + 1 dog

Devon romantic cottages


Best places to propose in Cornwall

Kynance Cove

Kynance Cove

One of the most romantic spots in Cornwall is on the west coast of the Lizard Peninsula. Take a 2-mile cliff top walk along the South West Coast Path from Lizard Point – the most southerly tip of British mainland, to arrive at one of Cornwall’s best-loved beaches: Kynance Cove. Hidden away along a remote stretch of coast, this cove is distinctive for its rock formations and lovely café. West facing, you can watch the sunset, making it a classic Cornish spot for one of the most romantic places to propose.

Romantic cottage nearby: Kennack Heights - Kennack Sands | Sleeps 4


Pendennis Point

Pendennis Point

Falmouth’s peninsula Pendennis Point is surrounded by wide waterways around the town – Carrick Roads, Falmouth Bay, The Penryn River and out into the English Channel. You can also take in the St Anthony’s Lighthouse at the end of the Roseland Peninsula, and St Mawes Castle across the way. Gigantic cargo ships drop anchor out in the bay awaiting their turn to unload or pick up their crates. You feel like you’re a part of a wonderful piece of manmade and natural theatre. This is one of the best places to propose in Cornwall, with so much to see all year round!

Romantic cottage nearby: An Dyji | Sleeps 2 + 2 dogs


Cape Cornwall

Cape Cornwall

If you really want to sweep your partner off their feet, take a trip to what was once the edge of the known world – Cape Cornwall, a few miles north of Land’s End (and within sight of it). This is where the Atlantic mixes with the English Channel. You can climb to the top of a small hill to the foot of an old chimney stack, where you can see the Scilly Isles on the horizon and the occasional dolphin and basking shark. A true natural haven, this lesser-known but no less prolific spot is one of the most off-the-beaten-track proposal ideas in Cornwall.

Romantic cottage nearby: Hen's Nest | Sleeps 2 + 3 dogs


Botallack

Botallack Mines

Fans of Cornish literature like Daphne du Maurier and Winston Graham (writer of the Poldark novels) will enjoy the dramatic landscapes at Botallack. This is where the tin industry of 200 years ago met the deep and mysterious Atlantic Ocean. Imagine yourself to be one of Du Maurier’s heroes or heroines when you fix your eyes on the crashing waves, the sheer cliffs and the ruined engine houses that clutch themselves to the nearest rockface. What better place to hold your loved one close and whisper the words “marry me” into their ear?

Romantic cottage nearby: Little Zandras | Sleeps 2 + 2 dogs


Brown Willy

Brown Willy, Bodmin Moor

Silly names aside, one of the best views and a feeling of jubilance at reaching it combine for maximum marriage proposal potential, making it one of the best places to propose in Cornwall. Brown Willy is a hill on Bodmin Moor – its summit is the highest point in Cornwall, at 420m above sea level, and you can see the whole planet from up there (at least it seems that way!) After you’ve caught your breath and taken in the view, we think that Brown Willy is an amazing, well-earned spot for those of you in love that want to pop the big question!

Romantic cottage nearby: Widewalls Farm Cottage | Sleeps 3 + 2 dogs

Cornwall romantic cottages


Inspired to pop the question?

We have an excellent collection of holiday cottages close to all of the romantic spots we’ve picked. Why not take a look at our romantic cottages to feel inspired and enjoy an unforgettable break with your loved one?

Romantic cottages


Map of romantic places to propose

With our map below, you can see where all of the romantic spots in Devon and Cornwall listed above are located.

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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.