The Lake District Revealed as UK’s Most Romantic Destination

A study of 2,000 people discovered the most idyllic spots in the lead up to Valentine's Day, including St Ives and Loch Lomond

The popular Cotswolds villages of Bourton-on-the-water and Stratford-upon-Avon also featured, as did Dorset’s Durdle Door.

Windermere in the Lake District took the top spot and Scotland made up two of the top 10 places, with Arthur’s Seat joining Loch Lomond.

Although 64 per cent would opt for the countryside when thinking of romantic places, London sights including St Paul’s Cathedral, Little Venice and Greenwich Park made the top 40.

Simon Ewins, Managing Director for Premier Inn UK, which commissioned the research said: “In the lead up to Valentine’s Day it’s great to celebrate what we have on our doorstep.

“The UK clearly has lots of romantic destinations for days out or weekends away to escape the busy everyday and enjoy quality time away.

“Whether you opt for a city skyline or secluded green space, there are plenty of idyllic spots to enjoy.

“It’s important not only on Valentine’s Day but throughout the year to experience new destinations with a partner and enjoy what the UK really has to offer.”

The research also found half the nation believes UK romantic spots are underrated compared to those abroad.

Coastal destinations in the top 40 list include Tenby in Wales, Langamull on the Isle of Mull and Liverpool’s Crosby Beach.

The ideal recipe for a romantic place was found to include a viewpoint to watch the sunset (61 per cent), a quiet and secluded area (58 per cent) and greenery (44 per cent).

Popular green spaces in the list include The New Forest, Richmond Park and Windsor Park.

The most favoured places Brits have been proposed to include Arthur’s Seat, Durdle Door and Brighton Pier.

More than half of those polled said it’s important to visit romantic destinations with a partner to keep the relationship strong, and 47 per cent have revisited a favourite spot.

A fifth even admitted to visiting the same scenic place with a previous partner.

And an eighth of those polled via OnePoll went to a romantic destination on a first date.

The average couple goes on two sentimental weekends away together each year, costing around £187 each trip.

While 63 per cent think of places as romantic if they have memories of visiting there with a partner, more than half said even if they haven’t been somewhere they can tell its romantic potential based on photos.

A fifth chooses to visit destinations they’ve seen on TV or in films, and a quarter want to show their other half places they visited as a child.

And a third said wanting to cover off areas of the UK they’ve never seen makes them decide where to travel with a partner.

Top 40 Most Romantic Spots in the UK:

  1. Windermere, Lake District
  2. Loch Lomond, Scotland
  3. St Ives, Cornwall
  4. Peak District National Park, Peak District
  5. Grasemere, Lake District
  6. Bourton-on-the-water, Cotswolds
  7. Durdle Door, Dorset
  8. Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh
  9. The New Forest, Hampshire
  10. Royal Crescent, Bath
  11. York, Northeast England
  12. Brighton Pier, Brighton
  13. London Eye, London
  14. Stratford-upon-Avon, Cotswolds
  15. St Paul’s Cathedral, London
  16. English Riviera, Torbay
  17. Giant’s Causeway, Belfast
  18. Kynance Cove, Cornwall
  19. Little Venice, London
  20. Stow on the Wold, Cotswolds
  21. Hyde Park, London
  22. Greenwich Park, London
  23. Windsor Park, Windsor
  24. Langamull Beach, Isle of Mull
  25. Richmond Park, London
  26. Castle Combe, Wiltshire
  27. Sandbanks Beach, Poole
  28. Llanddwyn Island, Northwest Wales
  29. Tenby, Pembrokeshire
  30. Cambridge Quayside, Cambridge
  31. Southbank, London
  32. Three Cliffs Bay, Swansea
  33. Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth
  34. Suspension Bridge, Bristol
  35. Crosby Beach, Liverpool
  36. Cardiff Bay, Cardiff
  37. The Quayside, Newcastle
  38. Alderley Edge, Cheshire
  39. Barry Island, Vale of Glamorgan
  40. Clevedon Pier, Clevedon

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