10 Best UK Weekend Breaks for Couples

The Cotswolds are the epitome of idyllic English countryside, thanks to their rolling hills and chocolate-box villages. Visitors flock to their honey-coloured cottages, fields of lavender, quaint antique shops, and gourmet restaurants. See the pick of the prettiest villages by driving along the ‘Romantic Road’, a circular route that starts in Cheltenham.

Hike the Cotswold Way to discover 100 miles of imposing stately homes and ancient standing stones. Walk in the footsteps of Tudor Queens at Sudeley Castle or try your hand at flying hawks at the Cotswold Falconry Centre. Also on offer are vineyard wine tastings, horse-drawn carriage rides, and romantic steam train journeys.

Bath is overflowing with ancient Roman baths and graceful Georgian architecture. The city was was the most fashionable destination for the upper classes of 18th-century England, and where 2 of Jane Austen’s novels were set. The city centre is packed with museums, galleries, independent shops and classy restaurants.

A trip for 2 to one of Bath’s historic luxury spas is an unforgettable experience. The city’s refined parks and gardens make great places for a picnic, or you can take afternoon tea in style in one of its traditional tearooms. Climb the Bath Abbey Tower at sunset for the most romantic views in the city.

York has a medieval centre so perfectly preserved that visiting the city feels like time travel. What could be more romantic than narrow cobbled streets and the soaring spires of York Minster? Despite the bustle around the centre, York lends itself to leisurely window-shopping and long lunches with locally-distilled gin.

There’s no shortage of romantic strolls in York, whether that be riverside paths, medieval city walls, or tangled streets of timber-framed houses. Chocolate and romance go together like hugs and kisses, so why not spend an afternoon at a confectionery for tastings, workshops and tours?

The Lake District famously inspired Romantic poets with its rugged hills, cascading waterfalls, and glistening lakes. If you’re looking for alone time together, the remote cottages dotting the landscape will provide all the solitude you need. As well as natural wonders and outdoor adventure, there’s an impressive literary scene celebrating local writers.

Take in the dramatic views from Scafell Pike, England’s highest peak, or just admire the scenery from the top of the turrets at Wray Castle. Among the many idyllic writers’ cottages, William Wordsworth’s Rydal Mount and Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top are must-sees. The romantic boat rides around the lakes and tarns often feature live music or gin tastings.

Cambridge is the UK's archetypal university town, long associated with magnificent history and a more contemplative pace of life. Awe-inspiring architecture is punctuated with tranquil green spaces and meandering lanes. Punting down the river in a wooden boat is a classic romantic activity, taking you past historic Cambridge colleges and ancient willow trees hanging over the water.

See more parks and historic architecture on a cycling trip for 2 along the city’s abundant cycle lanes. Cambridge is thick with museums, from world-famous antiquities in the Fitzwilliam Museum to the intriguing curiosities at the Polar Research Institute. There’s an impressive choice of Michelin-starred restaurants, historic gastropubs, and award-winning theatre for good measure.

The Peak District's windswept moorland and granite crags make for an unforgettable weekend getaway. Local towns are packed with enchanting bookshops, independent breweries and cosy tearooms serving the local speciality, Bakewell tart. For adventurous couples, there are rivers to swim in, caves to explore, and hundreds of miles of hiking and cycling trails.

Possibly the most romantic spot in the entire Peak District is Chatsworth House, a lavish mansion where Pride and Prejudice was filmed in 2005. Ride a cable car to the Heights of Abraham for unparalleled views of the rolling hills spreading out below you, or visit one of Derbyshire’s excellent vineyards for wine tastings and country picnics.

Edinburgh is an iconic city that offers nearly every romantic experience imaginable. Whether you and your sweetheart like to bond over colourful history, riverside walks, exceptional food markets, world-class whisky, dazzling theatre, alternative comedy, or independent shopping, there’s something for every couple to enjoy.

Edinburgh’s most romantic stroll is around Princes Street Gardens, with its restored 19th-century fountain. A walk along the Royal Mile is more lively, taking in street performers, shops, restaurants, and a Gothic cathedral. For a touch of glamour, take your other half to the luxury tearoom on Royal Yacht Britannia, a former yacht of the Royal Family.

Loch Lomond is the biggest lake in mainland Britain, surrounded by the sprawling expanse of The Trossachs National Park. The varied landscape offers you a choice between enchanting woodland, striking mountains and azure lochs. There’s plenty of space to get lost in together, and the kind of blissful silence that only the Scottish countryside can provide.

Nothing could be more romantic than a loch cruise at sunset with a glass of champagne, or a kayaking trip to one of the lake’s 22 islands, followed by a tranquil picnic. Alternatively, take a stroll around Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe, where legend has it that the door to fairyland is hidden.

The Giant’s Causeway is a remarkable expanse of interlocking hexagonal stones on the Northern Irish coast. One of its many legends says that the giant Finn fell in love with a Scottish lass, so it built the Causeway to visit her. You can visit the Visitor Experience Centre to learn everything there is to know about the strange geology.

As one of the most Instagrammable places in Ireland, the rock formation is the ideal place to snap a couple’s selfie. Grab a seat in the famous Wishing Chair, a natural flat section of the rocks, and make a wish. There are miles of clifftop walks to explore, featuring stone steps, wildflowers and phenomenal coastal views.

The Brecon Beacons National Park is a dramatic landscape of towering peaks and yawning caves. There are magical waterfalls, woodland paths, castle ruins, historic railways, and cosy country pubs to explore throughout your weekend break. If you’re looking for adventure, zip lining, abseiling, kayaking, and wild swimming are among its most popular offerings. 

The Brecon Beacons is home to Wales’s first modern whisky distillery, Penderyn Distillery. Take a tour to taste its award-winning single-malt whiskies. The park is also an International Dark Sky Reserve, and there are plenty of picturesque spots for some secluded stargazing. Pop into a local jeweller for romantic gifts of rare Welsh gold.