5 Romantic Places for a Leap Year Proposal

In this day and age, a marriage proposal can be made by anyone at any time, but 2020 is a leap year and February 29th is one of the most romantic times a woman can ask a man to marry her. Why? Legend says that way back in the 5th century, an Irish nun asked St Patrick if women could propose as many had been waiting a long time for their suitors to ask them. He granted her wish but only allowed women to propose every four years on a Leap Day. From then onwards the tradition began!

Regardless of who is doing the asking, or when you are planning to pop the question, you’ll want to find the perfect location. Have a read through our 5 top suggestions for a truly romantic setting…

leeds castle

A fairy tale castle – Nothing says romance like a fairy tale castle and the UK is dotted with these. It is impossible to pick out the most romantic of all but Leeds Castle in Kent has to be one of the most beautiful and majestic. You can even stay in the Maiden’s Tower overnight for that extra touch of romance! Another perfect setting is Cardiff Castle where you can take a private tour, ending at the beautiful Octagon Stairs, the ideal place for you to ask the question. They can even arrange for you to have a bottle of champagne waiting so you can toast the happy occasion!

romantic places bluebell wood

An enchanted forest –Perhaps the most romantic time for a woodland proposal is in late spring when many forests are covered in a beautiful sea of bluebells. Find your closest bluebell woods via the National Trust. For proposals later in the year, there’s the New Forest in Hampshire with it’s freely roaming horses or Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, which is soaked in the mysteries and legends of Robin Hood and his beloved Maid Marion.

romantic places beach

Secluded seas – There is nothing more romantic than an unspoilt beach where the only sound is the waves gently rolling and crashing…and you don’t have to be abroad to find beautiful, secluded beaches. If you really want to pull out all the stops, head to Ynys Llanddwyn, a tidal island that is home of the Welsh Patron Saints of Lovers, St Dwynwen. As well as small, sandy coves, you’ll find church ruins, a lighthouse, grazing Welsh mountain ponies and the mountains of Snowdonia in the distance. Whether you choose to propose here or elsewhere, a proposal on a beach offers so many opportunities for a proposal with a difference – write it in the sand, put a message in a bottle, or even hide the ring in a seashell.

Floating in the sky – As long as you and your future partner have no fear of heights, a hot air balloon proposal has to be the ultimate romantic place to ask that important question. There really is nowhere quite as calm, peaceful and serene as gliding through the skies, especially with the one you love. Virgin Balloon Flights offer balloon rides throughout the UK and would be more than happy to help you arrange your perfect proposal.  

Your own special place – Most couples have their own special places – where they first met, had their first date, first kiss, first holiday….and often a proposal in one of these places can be the simplest, but most perfectly romantic of all!

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