Whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, your anniversary, or just an excuse to get away, there are so many amazing romantic weekend breaks in the UK for you to choose on. Almost too many, we’d say. So, to help your plans for romance run smoothly, we’ve come up with a handy guide to some of the best romantic weekend breaks in the UK, covering cities, countryside and everything in between.
1. Oxford
A classic choice when it comes to impressing the other half with a romantic weekend away. With countryside walks mixed with beautiful buildings and city strolls, it’s not difficult to see why. From exploring the city’s world-famous museums to strolling through the university colleges and punting along the river, there’s so much to do and see in this classic town of romance. The city is also home to plenty of lovely independent bars and restaurants meaning you could easily just eat and drink your way through the city! Be sure to not miss climbing the University Church of St Mary for some amazing views across the city too
2. Durham
With Durham University’s claim that 70% of its students will marry one another, it could be worth checking out this self-proclaimed city of romance for your own weekend away. To be fair to Durham, it’s characterful side streets, delicious cafes and world-famous cathedral are all perfect for a couple’s retreat. These, alongside the sunset-lookout spots from Observatory Hill and Prebends Bridge, make Durham one of the best romantic weekend breaks in the UK.
3. The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are quaint, picturesque and full of charm, making them the perfect romantic weekend break in the UK for loved-up couples! You’ll basically feel like you’ve stepped foot into The Holiday. Whether you spend your time going on some long countryside walks or cosying in by the fire playing board games, the Cotswolds go hard on romance. For some lovely walks with even better views, head to Coaley Peak Viewpoint, Birdlip Viewpoint or Painswick Beacon.
4. Edinburgh
If you fancy heading further north for your weekend away, then Edinburgh could be the perfect break for you. You could visit the world-famous Edinburgh Castle, stroll along the Royal Mile or even visit the extinct volcano of Arthur’s Seat. Edinburgh is also famous for its food and drink, so it really does have all the ingredients for romance.
The city’s romantic side especially comes alive at night, whether you head to a comedy night, some live music or catch a show at the Edinburgh Playhouse! The Cameo Picturehouse also offers a great cinema date night complete with cocktails. But if you’re looking for a more alternative date night, you can journey back in time with a spooky ghost tour of Edinburgh. Any excuse to cuddle up to each other, right?
5. York
Similar to Durham in its charm and cosy feel, York is another great option for a weekend getaway. Whether you want to check out its medieval shopping streets, visit the cathedral or just sample its food and drink, it’s easy to see why York is a firm favourite for romantic weekend breaks in the UK. There are so many romantic things to do in York, from having afternoon tea on board the Victorian Carriage and a cinema date night at City Screen, to cruising along the Ouse with a glass of bubbly in hand and watching the sunset from the city walls.
6. Bath
Renowned for its historic architecture, amazing spa, and a whole host of independent shops, Bath is an absolute dream come true for those looking for romantic weekend breaks in the UK. The best place to start on your romantic break is with a trip to Thermae Bath Spa. A 2-hour spa experience costs £40 per person but it is well worth every penny, especially for the open-air rooftop pool with amazing views across the city! You can pay extra for treatments for two too.
When in Bath, make sure you hire a rowboat or a punt to lazily make your way down the river with your loved one. Or if you really want to ramp up the romance and see the city and its surrounding countryside from above, you can even take to the skies in a hot air balloon! The Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and the Royal Crescent are also must-see sights for couples who fancy a bit of sightseeing.
7. Lake District
Mountains, lakes and cute cabins – what more could you ask for from a romantic weekend break in the UK? Perfect for couples who love hiking and getting out in nature, there are so many great mountains to tackle in the Lake District. Grab your hiking boots and head to Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, The Old Man of Coniston, or one of the Lake District’s many other mountains!
However, if hiking isn’t your bag, there are plenty of gentle walks with beautiful views around the area’s many lakes. Some of the most famous are Windermere, Ullswater, Derwentwater, Wast Water and Buttermere. Or if you just fancy wandering around some cute towns, dipping into independent shops and cosy pubs, head to Grasmere, Ambleside, Coniston, or Bowness-on-Windermere. Plus,
8. Stratford-upon-Avon
Are you big theatre geeks or history lovers? You’ll love Stratford-upon-Avon. It’s time to follow in the footsteps of Shakespeare himself as you discover all the nooks and crannies of this gorgeous medieval market town. There are many great romantic eateries and drink spots to discover too!
One of the best ways to discover Stratford-upon-Avon is to just wander around and soak up the atmosphere. A walk or boat trip along the Avon always goes down a treat! And if you’re a fan of theatre, make sure you don’t leave Stratford-upon-Avon without spending an afternoon or evening at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Home to the plays of William Shakespeare – aka the best writer of all time – a trip to the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon offers the chance to enjoy some of the greatest plays ever written.
9. London
An obvious choice but there are so many romantic things to do in London as a local and tourist alike! London knows how to do date night right. From an endless list of parks to wander around on a Sunday morning to plenty of bars to drink yourself silly in on a Friday night, London is one of the best romantic weekend breaks in the UK.
Some of our favourite things to do in London as a couple are to take a stroll along the South Bank, shop for flowers at Columbia Road Flower Market, stargaze at the Greenwich Royal Observatory, and head up The Shard for some amazing views of London. And let’s not forget the West End – London’s certainly in no shortage of theatres!
10. Cambridge
We’ve recommended Oxford so why not Cambridge too? This picturesque cobbled city is full to the brim with romantic things to do. Of course, the first thing you have to do is take to the River Cam in a punt, seeing the city’s gorgeous colleges and bridges from a whole new perspective. You could even book a tour complete with a glass of bubbly to make it extra romantic!
Cambridge is also home to miles of cycle paths along the shores of the River Cam and through the quaint streets of Cambridge, so why not hire a couple of bikes or even a tandem bike and head to the streets? If you’d rather just go for a stroll, the Botanic Gardens are a great spot for couples looking for a little more romance. And that’s not to forget all the city’s cute cafes, bars and restaurants!
11. Snowdonia National Park
If you’re looking for another romantic weekend break in the UK out in nature, then look no further than Snowdonia National Park, one of the country’s most magical regions. A break in a cosy Snowdonia lodge relaxing by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate sounds pretty romantic if you ask us. Plus, Snowdonia is home to some of the UK’s best mountains for those couples who are keen to get active! Whether you climb Snowdon, Tryfan or Cadair Idris, you have plenty of peaks to choose from. And if you fancy seeing the coast, you can easily drive there too!
What about getting there?
Fancy checking out the above but don’t have a car? No problem, with Jaunt, you can just borrow a friend or family member’s car for your romantic weekend getaway. This way, you can avoid the expense of public transport and have the freedom to explore the best spots in your chosen city.
There are loads of great advantages to a Jaunt policy too. The cover is comprehensive and flexible too, allowing for cover up to 28 days.
Even if you were to have an accident, the Jaunt policy won’t even affect the no claims discount (NCD) of the car owner. Although, while the vehicle owner’s NCD won’t be affected, claims will need to be made in the name of the driver on the Jaunt policy and so this could affect your future premiums.
