Winter breaks in the UK are often overlooked in favour of jetting off to warmer climes, but here, on our own doorstep, it’s the perfect time of year for a romantic getaway.
There are so many destinations to visit in the UK during winter, from popular places without the crowds, to remote beauty spots where you can enjoy some time out together. We take a look at why winter is the best time of year for a getaway with the one you love.
Romantic cottages
The winter scenery is stunning
The countryside of Britain is arguably looking its best at this time of year. Frosty rural landscapes and deserted country lanes make for a wonderfully romantic getaway.
From enjoying the snow in Scotland to bracing the elements on a coastal walk in the South West, you’re sure to find a magical romantic experience in the UK to suit you. What’s more, holiday cottages in some of the most stunning locations can be snapped up at surprisingly affordable prices.
Perfect for admiring winter scenery: Creel Cabin
Badachro, The Highlands | Sleeps 2
When you’re staying in Creel Cabin, you don’t even need to leave the warmth of the house to drink in the awe-inspiring mountain views. This true rural retreat, accessed via a floating bridge, sits within the idyllic surroundings of Badachro – a paradise for a couple who love nature and walking.
It’s oh, so quiet
Romantic winter getaways are made all the more special by the fact that you’ll often have some of the UK’s most popular locations completely to yourself! It’s a relaxing way to explore destinations such as Cornwall, the Lake District and the Cotswolds without the crowds.
Absorb the beautiful scenery without all the people, enjoy spontaneous meals out without a reservation, and not a busy road or packed car park in sight!
Perfect for off-peak exploration: 11 Chy An Eglos
St Ives, Cornwall | Sleeps 4 + 1 dog
11 Chy An Eglos is a stunning apartment, offering unbeatable views across St Ives Harbour. Sip your morning coffee in bed whilst gazing out at the sea, then take a short stroll to find a boutique café for a romantic breakfast á deux.
There’s nowhere cosier than a holiday cottage in winter
When it’s cold and dark outside, what better place to be than snuggled with your loved one in a cosy cottage, far away from the outside world? The tempestuous weather experienced over the winter months may not immediately conjure up the image of romance, but when you think of sipping a hot chocolate by a wood burner or enjoying a hearty meal in a local pub, a romantic winter break with your sweetheart suddenly seems a very attractive prospect!
Pour yourself a glass of mulled wine and let the stresses of Christmas melt away, or even take a dip in your own private hot tub!
The perfect cosy hideaway: Honeycomb Cottage
Near Chipping Norton, Cotswolds | Sleeps 2 + 1 dog
Tucked away within the thick walls of this chocolate box thatched cottage, the world could be ending outside and you wouldn’t know about it! Sumptuous furnishings, a roaring wood burner in a traditional fireplace and a claw foot bath of dreams make Honeycomb Cottage the epitome of hygge.
You can be spontaneous!
What are you doing next weekend? If the answer is nothing, then why not consider taking your loved one on a special trip to spend a little time together? When there are only two of you to think about it’s easy to coordinate a last-minute UK escape. If you have no ties, there is nothing stopping you from packing up the car and setting off on a short break.
Even better, make it a surprise and whisk your other half away for an unplanned adventure. The best things happen when you’re being spontaneous!
Perfect for a spontaneous winter break: Tickleberry Cottage
Kilburn, North Yorkshire | Sleeps 2 + 2 dogs
From the warming wood burner to the inviting hot tub, the charming Tickleberry Cottage in the pretty village of Kilburn is perfect for enjoying some quality time together. Gaze out the window of the cosy bedroom towards the White Horse of Kilburn. Ideal for exploring the North York Moors.
Practise your pirouettes!
Ice skating is perhaps one of the most romantic date ideas and something which would definitely seem out of place in the height of summer. So embrace the icy weather, don your gloves and get your skates on for a bonding session on the ice.
Some of the best places to go ice skating in the UK in winter are at the Eden Project in Cornwall, City Hall Lawn in Cardiff, and Ice Skate in Birmingham.
The perfect base for ice-skating: Stones Throw
Charlestown, Cornwall | Sleeps 2 + 1 dog
Cute and welcoming, Stones Throw exudes character from every wooden beam and carefully selected accessory. Set in the Cornish village of Charlestown, it’s just 3 miles from the Eden Project where you can get active on the ice!
Visit winter markets
When the streets are alive with music, lights and the smell of roasting chestnuts, the scene is set for a spot of winter shopping. Whether it’s soaking up the festive spirit at Edinburgh Christmas market or perusing the boutique shops of Bath to bag a bargain in the January sales, shopping can be a romantic experience when you combine it with a winter break near one of the UK’s characterful cities.
Some of the UK’s best Christmas markets can be found in Edinburgh, York and Oxford, and a big city break is perfect for browsing the sales in the new year.
Perfect for a romantic shopping trip: Laundry Cottage Combe Hay
Near Bath | Sleeps 6
Round up some other keen couples for a group getaway to Laundry Cottage Combe Hay. With plenty of space for spending time together and apart, there are opportunities for romance and catching up with friends – the best of both worlds! The shopper’s paradise of Bath is just 2.5 miles away.
It’s show season!
Pantomimes aside, the winter period sees the best in theatrical productions. Make the most of it by getting away for a short romantic theatre break. For the ultimate theatre trip, where better than the Royal Shakespeare Theatre itself in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of the Bard. See Shakespeare’s works close up, and enjoy a wonderful programme of highly respected shows by contemporary writers.
Perfect for a romantic theatre break: Winter’s Tale
Near Stratford-upon-Avon, Cotswolds | Sleeps 4 + 1 dog
When visiting to watch a historic play, where better to stay than in a gorgeous, thatched cottage, steeped in charm and character? Return home from an evening at the theatre to curl up in front of the crackling wood burner at aptly named Winter’s Tale.
Go skiing in the UK
Did you know, Scotland has no fewer than five ski resorts? Glencoe, Glenshee, The Lecht, Cairngorm Mountain and the Nevis Range all welcome winter adrenalin junkies in their droves to experience UK skiing amidst breathtaking scenery. With runs to suit all abilities, it’s a great opportunity to learn a new sport together or improve your skills in the company of your loved one.
Perfect for skiing: Drum Cottage – Nethy Bridge
Nethy Bridge, The Highlands | Sleeps 4
With its alpine-esque cosy living space, fabulous furniture collection and scenic location, Drum Cottage – Nethy Bridge is the ideal base for a holiday hitting the slopes. Just 18 miles from the Cairngorm Mountain Resort, you could be skiing one day and wildlife watching in the North Cairngorms the next.
Breathe the sea air
The year flies by and before you know it, there are only a few months left and you feel like you haven’t stopped to take a breather. In that lull just before the Christmas rush, or in the peaceful weeks of January, it’s the ideal time to take a trip to the coast and enjoy the benefits that only the fresh sea air can bring.
Blow away the cobwebs on bracing coastal walks, skim stones on deserted beaches and sip steaming hot drinks as you watch the winter waves breaking. The sea around the UK is beautiful at this time of year; some days blue and serene, reminiscent of the shades of summer, other days grey, ferocious and magnificent.
Perfect for a seaside escape: The Dell
Whitsand Bay, Cornwall | Sleeps 2
Watch the changing faces of the ocean from the window of this spectacular lodge, The Dell, studded into the cliff above Whitsand Bay. Walk hand in hand along the coast path and get your winter dose of vitamin ‘sea’.
Treat your tastebuds
Winter is a time for wholesome food and hearty meals, washed down with a carefully selected tipple to warm the cockles. Hunkering down in a cosy pub and tucking into a rich stew with steaming vegetables just wouldn’t feel the same in summer.
So tot up all those missed date nights and bundle them all together for a foodie getaway, treating your tastebuds to the most delicious meals you can find.
Perfect for a Michelin-star meal: No 3 Church View
Cartmel, Lake District | Sleeps 2 + 1 dog
Just over 150 metres from L’Enclume, Cartmel’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant, No 3 Church View is a luxurious 5-star retreat with comforting features aplenty. Wander back from your romantic meal out and unwind in the inspiring open-plan living area and throw a log on the wood burner, or perhaps treat yourself to a nightcap in the fantastic summer house. Take a look at more romantic cottages in the Lake District.
Simply enjoy each other’s company
Sometimes you just need to put work and the stresses of life aside and do something for yourselves. It doesn’t even have to be too far from home, a simple change of scenery accompanied by country walks breathing the crisp winter air and cosy evenings by an open fire could be exactly what you need as a couple.
Perfect for rekindling the romance: The Secret Hideaway
Benenden, Kent | Sleeps 2
Grow closer as you cosy up in this enchanting shepherd’s hut, nestled amongst the bucolic scenery of rural Kent. With a wood burner to keep you snug as bugs, a well-equipped micro kitchen with a coffee machine, and a boutique shower room with a power shower, all the ingredients for the perfect romantic break are right there, wrapped up in a cute shepherd’s hut-shaped parcel.
Find your romantic winter break
If the beauty of a wintry landscape doesn’t ignite your passion, perhaps an evening sipping champagne in a hot tub is more your thing. Why stop there, with plenty of holiday cottages offering saunas and indoor swimming pools, you won’t have to leave the house for a private spa experience.
So why not seize the opportunity and go on a romantic winter break in the UK? After all, it’s who you go with that matters most. Check out our romantic cottages in the UK for some lovely options.
Romantic cottages