Date Ideas

Made My Date’s Top 10 Romantic Day Trips and Weekends Away in the UK

Looking to venture out of your local area in the upcoming summer months? Perhaps the second May Bank Holiday weekend is the first chance you and your partner have had to get away? 

If you are looking for a romantic adventure to have together, we’ve got the best places that are perfect for couples. 

From day trips from London, to weekend getaways, our Top 10 Romantic Road Trips in UK will have something for everyone all with the focus on being a romantic journey as well as destination

1.) Scotland – Loch Lomond & Edinburgh:

For a Long weekend away, Edinburgh and Loch Lomond are a perfect choice. Edinburgh truly is a gorgeous city and is easily one of the most romantic places in the UK. It has an abundance of culture, history, art, music and more so there is plenty for you both to do. Loch Lomond – Loch Lomond is not too far from Ediburgh so both places can be combined into one long but romantic weekend away. Loch Lomond is set in some of the most beautiful, untouched greenlands with a charming romantic setting. Surrounded by windswept hills, and the verdant forest of the Trossachs National Park. This is a nature-rich area nestled between the Scottish lowlands, and the Highlands. There are a variety of pint-size towns, like the village of Luss, in the area which are perfect for an overnight stay at one of the B&Bs. Loch Lomond has so many outdoor activities including hiking, horseback riding, boat tours across the lake, canoeing, and a couple of beachfronts. 

2.) Camber Sands & Village of Rye

This is an itinerary that’s perfect for a romantic day trip away from the hustle and bustle and it’s only 1.5 hours from London via train, and even closer if you drive. Camber Sands is a great place to relax and unwind with your loved one on a sunny day, with a sandy beach, beautiful views and take in the sunset or sunrise together over a fiery yet romantic skyline of colours. The Village of Rye is a quaint little, picturesque village that you and your date will be sure to fall in love with. Enjoy a romantic stroll along the cobbled streets and finish your date day out with a meal at the Grapevine Champagne & Piano Lounge

3.) Cheddar Gorge, Somerset:

As I’m sure we all know, Cheddar Gorge is one of the most spectacular natural landmarks in Somerset. Known as a very romantic spot, couples who love hiking, can spend time together while walking the loop. A great way to turn it into a date day out is to enjoy the MMD Picnic Date Hamper together on top of the limestone gorge, order yours now ready for your trip ahead. To get the best out of your time at Cheddar Gorge, turn this trip into a romantic weekend away. This way you and your date will get to see more of the surrounding areas of beauty, get cheesy with your partner when you both visit the Cheddar Cheese Factory for a guide on how real cheddar is made and to sample some of the more unique flavours, and experience the local yet beautiful restaurants, such as Gordon’s which is also a great hotel for you both to stay in too. 

4.) The Cotswolds:

An area is full of picturesque villages surrounded by natural beauty, so a stay in a private Cotswolds cottage really is the perfect romantic weekend getaway. There are so many beautiful places to choose from AirBNB

Take a lovely romantic stroll together between the villages of Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter. (FYI, the word “slaughter” just means “marsh” or “wetland” in Old English) and be sure to stop off at Lords of the Manor Restaurant and Hotel for a heartfelt lunch together in the Upper Slaughter or a romantic night together in this beautiful setting. 

If you both love a good scenic drive, plan a road trip along Broadway Road and stop off at various points to take in the beautiful sights together. You’ll pass by some beautiful hillside villages along the way. If you’re in the Cotswolds in the summertime, be sure not to miss the purple lavender fields in bloom. The Snowshill Lavender Farm is a great place for a couples photoshoot.

5.) A Day Trip to Bath, Somerset:

Bath is one of the most romantic towns in the UK. With stunning Georgian buildings, oodles of history, Britain’s only natural thermal spa, and the setting of one of my favourite Jane Austen novels… It is no wonder this historic town has the title of one of the most romantic places in the UK. 

We recommend frequenting one of the many beautiful antique tea rooms to indulge in the quintessentially British ceremony of afternoon tea. A visit to the historic Sally Lunn’s, the oldest shop in Bath is a must also. You may both also enjoy a visit to the theatre, a hot air balloon ride together, of course visiting the Roman Baths and perhaps the more modern Thermae Spe with it’s rooftop infinity pool and boathouse punting along the River Avon. 

6.) Isle of Wight:

A great destination for couples looking for a weekend away that feels like a mini holiday together. The IOW is completely underrated as a romantic destination for couples, but you will be pleasantly surprised. Best as a long weekend away together, we recommend booking one of the boutique hotels and spa resorts such as The Royal that has stunning views, a luxury spa and pool, exceptional dining facilities and has even had a celebrity or two frequent their establishment. There are many more quirky alternatives such as Glamping Yurts if a luxury boutique hotel is a little bit out of your budget too. 

When looking for activities to enjoy together, there is plenty to do that are adventurous as well as relaxing. You can both enjoy walks along the coastline or beach front, find a nice spot and take in the sunset together, go for wine tasting, visit the local historical sights, visit a spa or theatre, or you can enjoy a lovely romantic meal with a seafront view. We recommend booking at The Waterfront for it’s amazing views and exceptional seafood selection. 

7.) Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire: 

Enjoy a romantic weekend away in a Cabin in the woods in Sherwood Forest if you live further afield otherwise you can also organise a Day Trip from the midlands as Sherwood Forest is only 1.5 hours from Birmingham if you drive. 

This is a great destination if the two of you are interested in nature and if you are the adventurous type who both enjoy activity dates or sports activities together as there is plenty to do and see in the area. From nature walks, woodland trails, archery, cycle routes, and hiking tours to art & craft workshops, the Robin Hood Visitor Centre, the Military Museum and the Luxury spa at Thoresby Hall; there is something for every type of couple. For an added experience book one of the log cabins or treehouses for your overnight stay together, we recommend booking with Forest Holidays

8.) Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent: This is a great destination for a day trip from London as it’s only 1.5 hours on the train from Central London and even quicker if you and your loved one turn it into a road trip together. RTW is a beautiful town in the heart of Kent, the Garden of England, and is best known for it’s beautiful views and stunning history. There are plenty of activities to do together too, ranging from zip lining, chocolate making workshops, to wine tasting and for a more relaxed affair a stroll in the Scotney Castle Gardens

9.) Stratford Upon Avon (The Birthplace of Shakespeare): 

Stratford Upon Avon is a charming, historic town along the River Avon. It’s most famous for being the birthplace and home of Shakespeare. As a result, it has long been a place of pilgrimage for British literary greats, including Keats, Dickens, Tennyson and Hardy.

There is so much to do here as a couple from rowing along the River Avon, visiting the Stratford Butterfly Farm, visiting a Gin distillery, visiting the Shakesphere related tourist attractions and re-enacting Romeo & Juliet together, or better still watch the show at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. 

In terms of an overnight stay, there are many beautiful quaint little cottages close by to the town centre or you can book a room in the Billesley Manor Hotel & Spa if you really want to push the boat out on your weekend away together.

10.) Punting in Cambridge – Need to visit:

When you think of Cambridge, you probably think of the University and its students, but it can be a romantic place too. Cambridge has an interesting combination of gorgeous architecture (i.e. King’s College Chapel) and green spaces. It also has some world-class museums.

We recommend a day trip for your visit to Cambridge. For the ultimate romantic itinerary, go for a stroll around the town and explore the beautiful history and architecture, follow this up with a Picnic Lunch Date in the Cambridge University Botanical Gardens, towards the end of your day plan a romantic punting tour with Rutherford’s Punting (book in advance to avoid disappointment). 

If you enjoyed reading this blog about Romantic Day Trips and Weekends Away in the UK, and you would like to book any of these trips we can arrange this for you and your loved one via our Bespokes Dates Service. Get in touch via email on info@mademydate.net

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