L to r: Manorhaus, Tuddenham Mill, Zetter Townhouse, Le Domaine de Monteils 06 Feb 2015
Further Afield Celebrates First Valentine's Since Gay Marriage Became Law

Further Afield

Further Afield, the hand-picked, gay-friendly accommodation collection, has gathered together some deals and treats for the first Valentine's Day since the introduction of gay marriage in England and Wales on 29 March 2014. Plus guests can relax in the knowledge that all these places have passed Further Afield's strict test and offer a genuine welcome for everyone, gay and straight.

Guests staying at the Manorhaus restaurants with rooms in Ruthin and Llangollen, North Wales, will get VIP treatment on a two-night Escape & Dine break. The deal includes breakfast daily, a half-bottle of Champagne, artisan chocolates and a five-course dinner on Valentine's Day. From £114 per person.

The couple-sized gîtes with Jacuzzis at Le Domaine de Monteils in Languedoc, France, make it a great choice for a Valentine's treat. Plus there's a “three nights for the price of two” deal at the moment. And as an added bonus on 14 February, guests can sup a complimentary bottle of Champagne. From €235 (£176) per room night.

Romance is alive and well at Tuddenham Mill in Suffolk, and not just on Valentine's Day. Guests staying on 13, 14 or 15 February can indulge in sumptuous lodgings, breakfast and a five-course Valentine's Tasting Menu for two. From £295 per room.

At The Bull Hotel in Bridport, Dorset, for guests staying two nights in a master or deluxe room on Valentine's weekend, they'll mix up pair of cocktails on the house, serve Bucks Fizz with breakfast, stick £60 on the tab for Friday night's meal, and reserve a table for two for the three-course Valentine's dinner. From £500 for two.

There's an amiable deal at The Zetter Townhouse in Clerkenwell, London, on 13, 14 and 15 February. Guests can sip cocktails spiced with paprika by the fireside, comfortable in the knowledge they're paying 10 per cent less for a room and getting breakfast into the bargain. From £222 per room per night.

On a two-night romantic break at one of the El Palauet Living Barcelona apartment-suites in this Spanish city, guests toast their love with a free bottle of cava, then fall for the city on a private after-dark tour of the historic quarter. There's a chance of an upgrade, too. From €1,795 (£1,344) for two.

Follow Further Afield on Twitter @gofurtherafield and Facebook.com/FurtherAfieldEscapes

To request images or further information, to enquire about press trips, and to arrange interviews with Simon Forrester and Andrew Craven, please contact Little Black Book Creative: Simone Kane on 07811 161839 and simone@lbbcreative.co.uk, or Kate Simon on 07939 526109 and kate@lbbcreative.co.uk.

Notes to editors:

Further Afield is an independent collection of small boutique hotels, B&Bs and holiday homes. It champions accommodation with personality and flair and a welcome for everyone – gay, lesbian and straight. The owners of the properties featured are trailblazers – the first to open in a new neighbourhood, break the moulds of design and hospitality, or simply breathe new life into a familiar destination. Guests booking through Further Afield get the best rates – no extra fees – because they are booking direct with the owners, and often benefit from exclusive deals, too.

Further Afield was launched in the UK in 2010 by Simon Forrester and Andrew Craven during the furore around gay couples being turned away from B&Bs. They saw the need to respond to the growing demand for places to unwind and relax without fear of prejudice. During the past four years, the collection has grown from 30 places in the UK to more than 270 in 23 countries, including Britain, France, Italy and Spain. Meanwhile, Further Afield has found favour not only with the LGBT community but also many straight travellers in search of discerning and honest recommendations.

Simon and Andrew and their small team of trusted reviewers have carefully selected every hotel, B&B and holiday home in the collection to ensure quality, comfort and a friendly and professional service for everyone. Tight quality control is key to Further Afield, which turns away many more establishments than it takes on.

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