Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and avoid the busy tourist trails for the path less travelled. The UK is brimming with hidden gems and unspoilt secluded spots off the beaten track, just waiting for couples to discover together.
There are plenty of hours in the day, so why not be spontaneous and uncover a new remote location where you and your loved one can make lasting memories this summer?
We’ve selected seven secret places to visit in the UK on a summer staycation that showcase our country’s incredible natural scenery. Get away from it all on a romantic summer retreat to one of these beautiful isolated spots.
Holiday cottages for summer
Seek out adventures in special locations, your spectacular summer staycation awaits.
Nanjizal Beach, Cornwall
- Admire remarkable natural stone sculptures
- Watch seals playing in the shallows
- Bathe in the clear turquoise sea
Completely off the beaten track with no signposts, this secret beach in Cornwall is a true hidden gem that many people never knew existed. No direct road access here means that Nanjizal Beach can only be reached by foot along the South West Coast Path from Land’s End, therefore it’s wonderfully untouched and often deserted.
In the way of facilities, you will find none, but this is all part of its character and charm. At low tide, you can swim through the ‘Song of the Sea’ natural rock arch where the sun bursts through in the late afternoon to dance on the Caribbean-worthy jade plunge pool. Snorkel into anemone-studded sea caves filled with coralline and wash off any post-swim salt under the freshwater waterfall.
There are lots of large stone structures to discover too, one being the famous equine-shaped ‘Diamond Horse’: this nickname is due to it having a quartz vein running through it which sparkles in the sun. Summer is the best time to visit this glorious cove when its golden sand returns, and swimming in the amazingly clear sea is just blissful.
Romantic cottages in Cornwall
Sapperton Valley, Gloucestershire
- Picnic amongst bluebells
- Spot kingfishers, herons and otters
- Discover the five original locks of the old canal
This spectacular bluebell-clad valley is in one of the most peaceful and secluded spots you could possibly come across in the Cotswolds. Stretching across the serene and derelict Thames and Severn Canal, overgrown flood meadows and shaded ancient woodland, you will feel a million miles away from reality.
Considered to be an important wetland area, Sapperton Valley in Gloucestershire is the perfect spot for nature-loving couples to view wildflowers, birds and wildlife in their natural habitat. You may well see kestrels, buzzards, owls, badgers, rare butterflies, dragonflies, foxes and deer as well as orchids, red cowslips and wild poppies.
The landscape is speckled with ancient agricultural equipment and old moss-covered bridges and canal locks, providing both depth and interest to the views, and incredible photo opportunities. Cared for by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Sapperton Valley is a great place to lose yourself in the true wilds of nature.
Romantic cottages in Gloucestershire
The Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy, Pembrokeshire
- Take the plunge into the cool waters
- Spectacular views from the clifftops
- Paddle a kayak into the lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is found by a charming bay with no roads or lanes leading to its very sheltered location, and with it being so inaccessible, it is rarely frequented by any other tourists. It's one of many beautiful spots waiting to be found along the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. Only those who aren’t afraid of a good walk are rewarded with the most spectacular black sands here.
A walk southward along the windswept clifftops lining the bay, will display the large, deep rock pool which gives the bay its name. On hot summer days, couples can enjoy the sunlight dancing off the walls of this flooded slate quarry, adorned in fossilised anemones and limpets. You might even find yourselves sharing the pool with a few seals!
A breathtaking circular pool formed perfectly and filled with clear greenish-blue water, legend has it that it’s bottomless – a spot of wild swimming and diving is the only way to find out. One for the adventurous, the lagoon has hosted Red Bull's Cliff Diving championships in recent years.
Romantic cottages in Pembrokeshire
Low Force Waterfall, County Durham
- Wild swim in the pools below the falls
- Kayak down the rapids
- Trek 1.5 miles to High Force Waterfall
Nestled away, hidden alongside the River Tees in County Durham is this stunning waterfall, set against the most picturesque countryside location. Low Force tumbles over the Whin Sill, a layer of hard dolerite rock which formed 295 million years ago from molten rock.
After millions of years of constant erosion from the flowing water cascading over it, unique rocky landscape features have been formed providing some captivating views. Though not as dramatic or well known as its more famous cousin upstream, High Force, this series of low cascades is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the UK.
Take a walk along the Pennine Way footpath which runs alongside the river for one of the most relaxing experiences to be had in the area. And if you want to try something new, brave the cool waters together and enjoy a wild swim in the wide, frothy pools below the falls.
Romantic cottages in County Durham
Soar Mill Cove, Devon
- Canoe to the cove from Salcombe
- Explore the abundant rock pools
- Discover hidden caves at low tide
No cars, no facilities, no phone signal: if you are wanting that private beach feeling, then Soar Mill Cove in Devon should be a must-visit on your secret summer staycation list. This tiny remote sandy cove is set below the craggy cliff formations at Bolt Head, and is only accessible via the South West Coast Path or by boat from Salcombe.
For complete escapism with the one you love, this hidden haunt is sure to hold fond memories in your heart. Swim in the crystal-clear azure waters, discover an exciting array of rock pools, explore some of South Devon’s best caves, and have a picnic on the clean, golden sands.
Best experienced on a sunny day, this isolated cove is a special place to enjoy as a couple. Lay down a blanket and watch the waves crash against the rocks and seagulls soar above. And if you're lucky, you might spot seals fishing close to the shore.
Romantic cottages in Devon
Arne Nature Reserve, Dorset
- Look out for ospreys in the late summer
- Spot sika deer roaming the woodland
- See if you can find the six species of reptiles
Find Arne on a map and you’d be forgiven for thinking there’s nothing there – and that’s precisely why you should go. Step off the beaten path and discover a hidden gem in Dorset rich with wildlife. Situated on Poole Harbour and within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, RSPB Arne Nature Reserve encompasses dramatic open heathland, ancient oak woodland, farmland, reedbeds, mudflats, grassland and sandy beaches.
Covering 1,392 acres, you’ll find Dartford warblers, nightjars, all six species of British reptile, plus many species of butterflies, dragonflies, and moths. It is also home to nearly 500 types of flowering plants. Head for one of the bird hides to gaze out over the mudflats at waders and waterfowl.
Peaceful, scenic and full of interesting things to see and hear, there are seven signposted nature trails in the reserve to follow of which vary in difficulty and accessibility, from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. Make sure you factor in plenty of time to stop and stare, because you’ll be doing plenty of that.
Romantic cottages in Dorset
The Witch's Cauldron, Scotland
- Swim in the cool Scottish waters
- Enjoy a romantic picnic together
- Play ‘Pooh sticks’ from the bridge
There is something truly special about going for a wild swim. And on a hot summer’s day, nothing beats cooling off in the Witch's Cauldron pool near Glencoe in Scotland. One of Scotland's great wild swimming spots, you’ll find a series of three falls (known locally as Chia-aig Falls) and pools set in quick succession with interesting rock formations.
A narrow remote road twists through Mile Dorcha before reaching this secret spot, and a set of stone steps will lead you down to the top of the tumbling falls which are spectacular during high waters.
Jump off the rocks into the deep, dark pool beneath – it’s an invigorating experience that you will both never forget!
Romantic cottages in Scotland
Escape somewhere new this summer
If you're ready to replace your routine with the unexpected, to share in special moments and experiences this summer, browse our romantic cottages in the UK. Our characterful retreats designed with just two in mind offer everything you need to enjoy adventures in the great outdoors, leaving you with an abundance of stories to tell and memories to cherish forever.
Holiday cottages for summer