The Best Weekend Trips That Will Melt Your Heart

Last month, we shared some of the most romantic destinations across Europe. However, if you haven’t got round to booking that all important Valentine’s Day break, there’s no need to despair – some of the most romantic weekends can be had right here in the UK. It may be last-minute, but with these four fantastic destinations and romantic activities, you can still pull all the stops out.

London

There are hundreds of different ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in our wonderful capital, but if we had to narrow it down to just two, we’d say there’s the classic and then there’s the kitsch. If your partner is a romantic, we’d suggest booking a trip on the London Eye to sip Champagne and admire those views of Big Ben, followed by a scenic stroll hand-in-hand along the South Bank and a cosy meal for two at the OXO Tower.

If flowers and fine dining aren’t really your sort of thing, the Tower of London is hosting an altogether more macabre event. The Romance is Dead evening sees visitors sketching the ghost of Anne Boleyn at her burial site, before making love tokens with Lozzy Bones.

Glasgow

In Scotland, you and your loved one can act like the star-crossed lovers you are with a special movie night at the Planetarium. The venue will be showing the film ‘Her’ and providing all guests with bubbly and treats to enjoy during the movie. Prior to the film, there will be a special tour of the cosmos, where you can see if your stars really do align. Should you wish to put these new stargazing skills to use, Galloway Forest which sits on the outskirts of Glasgow, is the UK’s first Dark Sky Park. The inky black of the sky here, and the lack of any light pollution, makes it possible to spot over 7,000 different stars and planets, and if you’re really lucky, the Northern Lights.

Cardiff

The Welsh have their own patron saint of lovers, St. Dwynwen, whose name day is celebrated each year on January 25^th. Although this date may have passed, there’s always something romantic to do in Cardiff. Why not enjoy one of the great walks on the outskirts of the city? You could climb Caerphilly Mountain before enjoying a cosy log fire and Welsh rarebit at one of the traditional inns that dot the surrounding countryside. Alternatively head to the Welsh Love Spoon Gallery on Castle Street and pick out your own unique Love Spoon. All the spoons have different meanings and the owners can engrave the implements and create custom orders too.

Belfast

Belfast is home to one of the greatest love stories ever told. Move over Romeo and Juliet, this time we’re talking about Kate and Leo, or should we say Jack and Rose? At the Titanic Belfast, you can step back in time to a period of luxury, elegance and fine dining and enjoy a spectacular afternoon tea served up on replica White Star Line crockery. The museum is not just home to the largest Titanic exhibition in the world, it’s also one of the premier destinations for weddings in Northern Ireland should you get any ideas.