Mix market shopping with mountaineering
For a historic town that still hosts a bustling weekly market, Hebden Bridge doesn’t disappoint. With a strong arts and crafts culture, this West Yorkshire town is located in a misty valley in the heather-covered Pennine Hills and has plenty of walking and cycling trails for those who long for wide open vistas. Hebden Bridge is also beloved for being one of the most LGBT+ friendly towns in the UK, making it a must-visit place for queer couples up and down the country.
Take a seaside ramble through the Isle of Thanet
Picture perfect in every way, one of our most beloved seaside towns in the country is Broadstairs. Only a short train journey from London, Broadstairs is nestled between chalk cliffs and wide sandy beaches. In the evening head down to the harbour for a locally-caught dinner at Wyatt and Jones and finish the night with ice cream in the authentic 1950s interiors of Morelli’s Gelato.
Step into a Cotswolds fairytale in this 14th century village
William Morris himself described Bibury as ‘the most beautiful village in England’ and we think he was really onto something. With 14th century cottages that look like they’re taken from the pages of a fairytale book, Bibury is a pocket-sized haven of honey coloured Cotswold stone buildings. Bring your wellies for a country walk and stay at the Swan Hotel for a dreamy escape with your partner.
Find love’s summit in the Lake District
Nothing can bring two hearts together like a rambling walk through the mountains. Keswick in Cumbria is the perfect homebase for those looking to spend a weekend knitting through the valleys and vales of the Lake District. This charming town is a great place to start your walk up the landmark Skiddaw Mountain. (And for something a little more quirky, it’s also home to the unmissable Derwent Pencil Museum!)
Romantic dinner in a fairy light-lit treehouse
Located a short drive north of Newcastle upon Tyne, Alnwick is made for folks who love to find hidden treasures on a weekend away. From the bustling market, to antique stores, to one of the largest secondhand bookshops in all of Europe (going to Barter Books is worth the journey alone), Alnwick brings the charm factor. Visit Alnwick Castle and have a once-in-a-lifetime romantic dinner in the largest wooden treehouse in the world.
A historic fishing village with uncommon beauty
We all have a picture of what a historic English fishing village looks like but Staithes, located in the North York Moors National Park, has an uncommon beauty that can’t be found anywhere else. With its unique geography, this tiny village is enclosed by high cliffs and breakwaters that make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world. With such a stunning landscape at your doorstep, take it slow on your visit to Staithes and focus on meaningful time spent together.
For the literary lovers and lovers of literature
If you’re a couple who share a love for literature, Lyme Regis on the south coast of Dorset has more than a few connections to the history of the written word. Authors such as Oscar Wilde, Beatrix Potter, and Jane Austen all came to this sunny seaside village to work on their writing and you can find some of their original works at the Lyme Regis Museum. Bring along a book of poetry and walk together along the coastal path to Branscombe for a perfect date-within-a-holiday.
Meet some very unexpected neighbours in this underrated Cotswolds village
Corsham is a charming market town in the south-east Cotswolds that’s worth a visit for its Bath stone high streets, but also for its more unexpected feature: the local flock of peacocks who strut around town, occasionally stopping traffic to show off their feathers. Though their official home is at the stately 16th century country house of Corsham Court, the resident peacocks are free to roam the whole town which makes for some great photo-ops!
Two Michelin-starred restaurants in one charming village
Not many villages can boast two Michelin-starred restaurants (especially given there are only seven in the whole of England), but Bray, just south-east of Maidenhead, can do just that. Set on a picturesque corner of the River Thames, going to Bray is all about taking in the world-class gastronomy at The Fat Duck or The Waterside Inn. While the tasting menus may be at a premium price point, this village is perfect for those quick getaways that revolve around one stunning, romantic meal.
Walk Mediaeval streets and brush up on your history
The East Sussex town of Lewes has ‘quaint’ down to an art. With almost 1100 years of history, you can visit the Lewes Priory ruins, the stately Lewes Castle, and the amazingly preserved house of Anne of Cleves. When you’ve taken in all the history you can, walk up the South Downs to see the stunning wildflower meadows that bloom each year—which would be a pretty incredible place for a proposal, we’re just saying.
