The 5 most romantic places to go in England for couples

Imagine sitting down to a perfect picnic spread out on a blanket, with a wicker hamper and perhaps a bottle of bubbly, and with swathes of delicate-purple lavender flowers as your backdrop. It’s swoon-worthy, picture-perfect, and certainly one of the best places to go in England for couples. This is very much a summer activity, with lavender at its best from late June through to early September. There are several fabulous destinations to view lavender in bloom in England, ranging from Yorkshire to Herefordshire, but one of the top spots is the lavender farm dating back to the 1930s at Caley Mill in Norfolk. There’s a tearooms, gardens and extensive lavender fields, and you can book a guided tour if you fancy. Castle Farm in Kent is also extremely popular, offering timed tickets, guided tours for expert insider knowledge, and access to a quiet field for your own romantic picnic. It’s the largest lavender farm in England at 130 acres, so it’s definitely worth stopping by. Both venues have farm shops or gift shops too, so you can pick up wholesome local treats and lavender products to remind you of your day out.

There’s no denying that stargazing is a pretty romantic activity, but it can be a bit lacklustre if you’re only spotting a star or two amongst the light pollution. The best places to visit in England for couples looking to stargaze are designated dark skies parks such as Exmoor. These are spots that have been recognised for their exceptionally clear view of the constellations, and they’re committed to making sure they stay that way. Of course, camping is one of the best ways to experience the starry night sky, but if that’s not for you, plenty of accommodation providers are ‘dark sky friendly’ and can recommend spots for viewing, or even offer telescope hire. Some boast glass roofs or windows for a truly luxurious viewing experience. Stargazing with your loved one is a year-round activity, although March and April are often particularly good viewing with clear nights, and early autumn is possibly your best chance of spotting a romantic shooting star. Since you’re on Exmoor, fill your days with indulgent cream teas and walks hand in hand – the countryside is especially romantic in heather season (around August), when it takes on a gorgeous purple hue.

Gliding around the rink, glove in glove, with Christmas tunes playing and fairy lights twinkling all around: it’s hard to come up with a more romantic picture. There are plenty of venues for ice skating across the country, but Somerset House is one of the best places to visit in England for couples if you fancy a turn on the rink. Pick an evening that’s set to be chilly so you can wrap up in your fanciest winter woollies for extra rosy-cheeked, red-nosed cuteness. Your backdrop is the stunning Neoclassical house and a 40-foot Christmas tree sparkling with lights, as well as the courtyard decked out with Moët & Chandon decorations. You’ll also be able to sample elegant chocolates and warming coffee and even drop into the Alpine lodge for some festive fondue. And the best part is, you’re right in central London afterwards to see where the evening takes you. A little further out of the capital, you could also try ice skating at Hampton Court Palace. Here, you’ll have an equally romantic backdrop, mulled wine and mince pies galore, as well as the entire palace to explore.

There’s an inescapable magic that hangs over Stonehenge, especially at dawn and dusk, making it one of the top places to go in England for couples. It has all the key components of a romantic trip: a peaceful countryside destination, a lovely walk to reach the top, and a stunning view once you’re there. There’s nothing quite like watching the dawn break over the Salisbury Plain, which is almost always shrouded in mist, with the dew adding extra sparkle to the spectacle. Not forgetting the fact that you’re standing on a prehistoric monument at the heart of a World Heritage site, which has been used for worship for millennia. If rising before dawn isn’t for you, it’s an equally good place to see the sunset. You can sit atop the tor and watch the sun drop, or stay below to see it silhouetting the stones. Of course, if you come on the solstice, be aware that you definitely won’t have the place to yourselves. At other times of year, though, it can be deserted and romantic. Your nearest city to stay in is Salisbury, which is pretty romantic in its own right with its cathedral and quaint architecture.

The best places to visit in England for couples who lead busy lives surely have to be spas. After bustling weeks juggling friends, work and hobbies, what could be more tempting than unwinding in a thermal baths? As its name suggests, Bath is one of the most popular towns in England to do this, and for good reason. It’s well connected by train, it’s incredibly quaint and packed with lovely shops and eateries, and it’s home to Bath Thermae Spa. This is one of the best-loved day spas with its multiple pools, scented steam rooms, infrared saunas and ice chambers, as well as a celestial relaxation pod that takes chilling out to a magical level. The most romantic spot has to be the rooftop pool, with its stunning view over the Edwardian rooftops. You could come early to get the place almost to yourselves, or perhaps book in for a sunset soak. The facility has twilight couples’ packages offering two hours in the spa plus a meal in the restaurant. Why not book a massage, hot stone treatment or facial and leave feeling utterly rejuvenated? A romantic hotel with a candlelit dinner will top this getaway off perfectly.