Whisking your other half away on a romantic weekend away might be the last thing on your mind in these wallet-busting times, but with these budget breaks you can disappear into the sunset for some quality, us-against-the-world time together. 

Forget Michelin-starred restaurants, swanky cocktail bars and expensive shopping trips – the key to real romance is ingenuity, not a massive bank balance.  Free recipes – food and drink recipes

Think late-night picnics on your hotel room floor and long, lingering (half the price) lunches, or a £10-a-head budget to find each other that perfect souvenir and long walks in the country – all will leave your heart a little lighter, but won’t have the same effect on your wallet.

Even finding a cheap train ticket (book in advance at www.thetrainline.com) can start the weekend with a romantic, Brief Encounter-esque flourish – just pack a cheap bottle of bubbly to enjoy en route.

The trick is to pass your efforts off as thoughtful gestures, rather than desperate measures – banging on about your budget is not generally considered a turn on. To point you in the right direction, here are five of the best romantic weekends in the UK that won’t break the bank.

Close to London: Shere, Surrey

This gorgeous little village, just 30 miles from London, has impressive romantic credentials. Romcom location scouts love it (a snow-covered Shere is the star of the Jude Law/Kate Winslet sopfest “The Holiday”), and it’s easy to see why.

Sitting in the heart of the rolling Surrey Hills, with its pretty pub, 12th century village church (star of “Bridget Jones’ Diary”) and duck pond, it’s chocolate box Britain at its best. Stay at Rookery Nook (doubles £70 a night), a cosy, 15th century B&B in the centre of the village, where the two doubles offer comfy beds, wooden beams and wonky floorboards.

The North Downs and nearby Box Hill are on hand for bracing walks and stunning views, or you could visit England’s largest vineyard, 8 miles from Shere. A tour of the vines and the winery, plus an English wine tasting costs £7.25.

For a delicious lunch, head to Stephan Langton Inn , a 1930s country pub in the grounds of the tranquil Wotton Estate, 5 miles from Shere. Everything that can be is home-made, from the bread to the ice cream to the chutney, while fresh, local produce – some from the estate – makes up the rest of the menu. And all at pub grub prices.

If you can’t resist the Michelin stars, do lunch at Drake’s. At £21 for two courses, the lunch deal is amazing value.

Country classic: The Malvern Hills

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