Adverts for Seychelles will have couples believing that they have to travel far and wide for a romantic break, but in actual fact, the UK offers diverse landscapes and experiences to suit all types of couples. The adventurous ones, the movers and shakers, the laid back type and those that like to lap up luxury.
Choosing to explore the UK with the one you love offers more opportunities to escape for a quick romantic break together, without the hassle of airports, baggage and currency exchange.
The UK has so much to offer couples in the way of romance, and according to actual couples, these are the top three destinations to start with.
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London
The capital offers diversity for all types of couples. Whether you are the night owls that enjoy a cocktail and spend reconnecting. The fans of live entertainment, wanting to catch a show on the West End, dancing the night away to your favourite band or laughing until your sides hurt at a comedy club. Maybe, you are the party animal couple that enjoy recapturing your youth at the club. London has it all.
According to a 2019 study by Away Resorts, who provide New Forest Holidays, when asked about which region of the UK Brits would choose for a romantic staycation, London came out on top with 27% booking breaks in the capital.
Dining out
Some will argue that the perfect date involves being wined and dined in a fancy restaurant, if this is true, London is the place for it. There are restaurants serving authentic cuisine from every corner of the world.
Korean Barbeque? No problem. Michelin star tasting menu? You got it. Dirty American style burger? Sure. Anything you fancy to eat can be found in some part of London.
So whatever your loved one is craving that day, there will be something to satisfy their appetite.
Romantic Strolls
Sure you can spend your time strolling between shops in London, and with the options available, no one would blame you. But, this isn’t all London has to offer. In fact there are many parks such as Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens that give a peaceful slice of London greenery perfect for hand holding and fresh air.
However, the English weather can often put people off leaving their homes, never mind voluntarily going for a walk in it. London has a few indoor options as well, ensuring plans don’t get cancelled, only changed.
The Barbican Conservatory, Silk Street, transports couples to a tropical oasis with over 2,000 species of plants and trees, as well as exotic fish. This means that not only are you under cover, you are also in the warmth and can admire the amazing nature around you.
Another indoor option includes the Crossrail Place Roof Garden, described as an oasis of calm in Canary Wharf. This has shrubs, trees and flowers from all over the world, and is split into hemispheres. A beautiful backdrop to a date in the city.
Height of entertainment
As far as entertainment, London really does have it all. It offers couples masses of choice, you can grab tickets to an award winning musical, visit a risqué burlesque show or take in a bit of live blues all in the same city.
If you fancy laughing the night away, take your date to the Angel Comedy Club in Islington, held at The Bill Murray. It is free to enter and gives couples a chance to laugh together and enjoy a few drinks.
If you want to spice things up a little, there are several burlesque shows throughout London. See top artists mesmerise with feather fans at Café De Paris in Leicester Square. This exquisite venue, dubbed the most iconic cabaret venue in London, offers world class entertainment on Friday and Saturdays from as little as £20 a ticket. With gold embellished décor under an extravagant chandelier this setting gives you and your significant other a chance to dress up in your finery and enjoy an evening of glamour.
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Scotland
Once named as Rough Guides’ most beautiful country in the world, Scotland is the perfect example of a region of the UK that offers diverse landscapes and activities, making it the perfect escape for couples looking for a romantic break.
In 2019, Brits also decided it was the second most romantic region in the UK for a staycation, and it isn’t hard to see why.
Urban Life
If you are looking for plenty to see and do on your romantic break away, then heading for Edinburgh is unlikely to disappoint. This beautiful historic city offers the perfect mix of things to see and to do. Make your loved one feel like a true princess (or prince) by taking them along to Edinburgh castle. This impressive fortress stands proud above the city, offering spectacular views that will take your loved one’s breath away.
If you are looking to make the trip a little more magical, then a trip down the street that inspired Diagonal Alley in the Harry Potter series is sure to help. Victoria Street is a cobbled shopping street located in central Edinburgh’s Grassmarket area. If the arcade of independent shops selling everything from artisanal cheese to art doesn’t tickle their fancy, then your significant other is bound to be impressed with the colourful architecture. The perfect backdrop to a few PDA Instagram posts.
Once the sightseeing and shopping is done, Edinburgh offers a wide range of eateries and bars for those romantic meals out by candle light, followed by a few cocktails and dancing until dawn.
Highland Adventures
If you are one of the 32% of Brits that consider seclusion and privacy the most important feature of a romantic getaway then opting for a break in the beautiful remote Scottish highlands may suit you better than an urban break.
Although you will have access to rolling hills, stunning coastline and bewildering woodland, this isn’t to say that there is nothing to do but walk out in the highlands, in fact there are a wide range of activities, from quiet and relaxed to wild and adventurous.
Adrenaline junkie couples can try their hand at paragliding, white water rafting or even canyoning, these extreme activities will get your hearts racing and release a heap of those happy brain chemicals.
However, not all couples thrive off jumping off a cliff and down a natural icy water flume. Some would be as exhilarated to spot rare wildlife instead, such as the beautiful puffins found in the more northerly parts of Scotland or the elusive red squirrel.
Whatever the activity nothing quite compares to coming back to a lodge, sitting in a private hot tub with the one you love and enjoying a spot of light pollution free star gazing.
3. Yorkshire and Wales
Couples decided that the regions of Yorkshire and Wales were equally as romantic for a break away, so share the third position.
Both offer unmatchable rural areas with a healthy dash of hustle and bustle for those that can’t bear to fully escape.
Yorkshire
Collectively North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire offers couples vast stretches of unspoilt country side, which is probably why it has been dubbed God’s Own County.
Couples can enjoy walking across the expansive Yorkshire moors or exploring the changing, and sometimes challenging, trails across the Yorkshire Dales. The seclusion of these locations offers couples the chance to be free from the pull of Wifi, digital devices and noise, giving the opportunity for real conversation in an idyllic setting.
There aren’t many that will agree that Yorkshire cities are considered romantic, fun? Sure! But maybe not romantic. All except York that is. This walled city looks as if it is lost in time. The streets are narrow and lined with cobbles, the independent shops have quaint signs and fronts, there is a huge 13th century gothic cathedral complete with medieval stained glass and functioning bell towers.
No trip to York would be complete without a walk down the most picturesque street in Britain, The Shambles. The street dates back to the late medieval period. On the street you will find Harry Potter themed shops, chocolatiers, tea shops, pie shops and sweet shops.
Unlike many cities which are built with high street chains, York seems worlds away, offering couples the chance to explore the little independent shops in various nooks and crannies, finishing their day with a pint in a quaint pub.
Wales
Want to relax on the beach and climb a mountain in the same day? Wales is a stunning country and region of the UK, offering the very best of Britain for nature lovers. If you are the type of couple that suffocates in city smog most of the year then rural Wales gives a literal breath of fresh air.
Live your best period drama romance life by booking a romantic horseback ride either cross country or along the coast. If you are not keen on the idea of horse riding then why not take a relaxed train ride up to the top of mount Snowdon, take in the views in comfort, ensuring that no sweaty upper lip distract from the ardour.
If you both fancy doing something a little more extreme, visit the longest zipwire in Europe at Zipworld, allowing you to experience travelling 100mph at 500 feet in the air. If that doesn’t give you and your partner an adrenaline boost, not much else will.
When activities are done there are plenty of urban or secluded areas to stay in ranging from quaint B&Bs, luxury lodges or hotels.
