Romantic Places /
It only takes two ingredients for somewhere to be romantic; a nice place and the right company. Spending quality time together away from your usual surroundings is the sure fire way to consolidate a growing romance or re-ignite and old one.
It doesn’t always have to be expensive mini breaks, I’ll give you some ideas from what to do at a moments notice on a rainy day through to making the most of the UK’s beauty spots.
Have a picnic in the car /
It’s raining, you’re bored and you haven’t got lots of money. Go to the supermarket and pick up some little luxuries, maybe some strawberries and champagne (but not for the driver of course!). Drive to somewhere with a beautiful view, maybe your nearest bit of coastline and enjoy your picnic with your favourite person. My favourite viewpoint overlooking the Cotswolds is called ‘Birdlip’ near Cheltenham and is well signposted on the route between the A40 and M5. You’ll feel like you got out of the house and did something constructive and you didn’t even get wet!
Get a train somewhere for the day /
Go to the train station and pick somewhere within a couple of hours travelling time that you’ve always fancied going to but have never got round to it. The spontaneity of doing something like this is exciting and sexy. Just tell your partner you’re going on a day trip and go from there.
These are my favourite places in the UK:
Bath on a cold sunny winter day /
This beautiful city is compact enough to walk around in a day but could keep you occupied for a week. An abundance of Georgian architecture creates an amazing backdrop for café’s, restaurants and boutiques. Visiting the original Roman Baths is a real highlight out of season as it will be quiet and thought provoking. The natural geo-thermally heated water source is still running and can be experienced (as the Romans themselves would have) at the new Bath Spa which has been installed in the original pump rooms.
You can sit in the steaming mineral bath on the roof top looking out at the beautiful city. The grandeur of The Royal Crescent is not to be missed, designed by Masonic architect John Wood and holding much secretive symbolism. There are an abundance of pretty little B&B’s built in the local stone if you do want to stay.
Padstow in late spring /
This busy little seaside town has had an influx of foodie businesses since the patronage of a well recognised TV chef. It still looks like pretty much any other Cornish fishing village but sits within some spectacular beauty spots. You can easily fill your picnic basket with amazing local produce like Cornish pasties and fresh crab, walk up North Quay Parade towards the war memorial on the cliff, take in the view and keep walking. A few minutes later you will see the various pathways down to the beach which is broad, pale sanded and invariably deserted bar a few dog walkers. There are endless little coves and caves to explore and it really seems wild down there.
Enjoy your picnic looking across the inlet to Rock. Another little know beauty spot is Bedruthen Steps, this stunning wild viewpoint is halfway between Padstow and Newquay. If you go early morning when the tide is out you can climb down the giant steps to the beach which is dwarfed by the cliffs above. Huge muscle colonies live on the rocks down there and they glint blue in the daylight, you will feel like you’re the only two people in the world!
Edinburgh at Festival time /
This can be a cold and windy city at the best of times so visiting in August when the Edinburgh festival is in full swing is perfect. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t interested in the military tattoo at the castle (although it is truly a spectacle!). Just the atmosphere of the place is fantastic, you can spend all day wandering around between ancient pubs watching street performers and free comedy shows.
The castle and Holyrood House are whimsical to wander around when it’s warm and you can sit outside for a drink in Princes Street gardens on your way between. There is something so ancient and magical about this city and it comes alive with the festivities, the locals are fiercely proud of their traditions and amazingly welcoming.