Leap into romance

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4 FEBRUARY 2004
Beyonce may have said she's too much of "an old-school girl" to pop the question to rap star boyfriend Jay-Z, but for the more daring among you we’ve chosen some romantic spots for this very purpose. And there are a few unusual extras thrown in.

Country chic: Cliveden, Berkshire
Few hotels can claim such a high society pedigree as Cliveden in Berkshire. Since its creation in 1666, occupants have included three Dukes, an Earl and a Prince of Wales. Queen Victoria visited no fewer than nine times. And when the Astor dynasty was given the stately home as a wedding present, the guest list read like a Who's Who — including George Bernard Shaw, President Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin. In 1961 Cliveden became notorious for hosting Stephen Ward and Christine Keeler — a portrait of the latter hangs in one of the two restaurants, Waldo's.

Opened in 1984 as a luxury hotel, Cliveden is set in 376 acres of National Trust grounds, perfect for the couple who like their country pursuits. There's woodland to explore, a stunning formal garden and water gardens for pottering in, and a heated outdoor pool in walled gardens. Inside, a notable art collection adorns the walls and the Pavilion Spa has hot tubs, pools, treatment rooms, saunas and steam rooms.

If you want to woo your other half in one of Britain's most romantic getaways, there are a few added extras in the Leap Year one-night special. Guests receive a three-course dinner plus a bottle of champagne, a clay-pigeon shoot for two, and a full body massage. No doubt the hotel hopes you'll be coming back on your honeymoon!

Say it with flowers: Isles of Scilly
You're less than 30 miles from Land's End, but from the startling blue of the sea and the dazzle of the white beaches, you could be in the Caribbean. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the climate is so mild that in late February and March the brilliance of the floral harvest will dazzle you. Plants flourish here that will grow nowhere else in the British Isles, many species brought back by the islands' sailors after their long voyages. The pace is laid-back — on the island of Tresco there aren't even any cars to shatter the peace and quiet. Here, walking and cycling are a pleasure and boats of all kinds can be hired for picnics on uninhabited islands.

The piece de resistance are the world famous Abbey Gardens founded in 1834, which nurture some 5,000 species — so you can propose under an African palm, a Californian pine or an exotic flame-tree. Wannabe brides who stay at the much-awarded Island Hotel — dubbed the ultimate romantic escape by American Vogue - will even receive a helping hand. Leap Year breaks for two at the hotel include champagne on arrival, a suite with a view, and a candlelit dinner. And if he says "Yes" , they'll even pay for his flight home. That's a promise!