Best Weekend Breaks in the UK for Couples

By Parkdean Resorts on 28/05/2021

Weekend breaks are a great way to get out exploring with your loved one and can be enjoyed more often than a longer holiday. It can be difficult finding the perfect place to go for a couples weekend away that’s close enough to drive to after work on a Friday, so we’ve put together all of our wonderful locations that are within 2 hours of the biggest cities. You may be surprised at some of the breath taking places you didn’t realise you had right on your doorstep.

Parkdean Resorts offer some of the best UK holiday destinations for couples, where you can enjoy romantic weekend breaks with hot tubs, caravan stays, lodge retreats, as well as touring and camping trips. We have 12 holiday parks that offer ideal one-bedroom caravans, perfect for couple’s retreats. Holiday Parks such as Regent Bay, Todber Valley, Breydon Water, Cherry Tree and Southview have brand new couple’s accommodation for 2021! So whether it’s a relaxing romantic getaway you’re after or an exciting couples adventure, book your break, pack up the car and head off for a weekend to remember.

Romantic Weekend Breaks near London

Weekend breaks near London are great for escaping the big city and seeing some fabulous nature, countryside and beaches. Living in the capital means lots of options when it comes to booking a weekend away. If you like the coast then Essex has some stunning beaches and plenty for you to see.

Where to stay?

Places to Explore

There are lots of fabulous places to have weekend breaks just outside of London. Essex is a hugely popular spot for city escapes, with lots of beaches and places to explore. Escape from the hustle and bustle to Mersea Island where you can see wildlife, enjoy the beach and take a boat trip around the shores.

Colourful beach huts at Mersea Island, Essex

If you’re an animal lover, Colchester Zoo, Suffolk Owl Sanctuary or Sea Life Adventure Aquarium are excellent for day trips. For the history lovers, Essex has a secret nuclear bunker from the Cold War which you can visit. Weald Country Park is great for long walks and spotting deer, with its vast woodlands and wildflower meadows.

Kent is fantastic for exploring. From the amazing white cliffs of Dover to its medieval towns, you won’t run out of places to see. Visit the Wildwood Trust, Howletts Wild Animal Park or Port Lympne Reserve if you love seeing wild animals. Take a boat trip through Canterbury’s picturesque waterways or board a sea safari to see the seals. This area is packed full of history and culture to explore.

Couples Getaways near Leeds

If you live in or around Leeds, you can escape the city for a weekend to so many great locations! This area has some of the best places to visit in the UK for couples including the Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire and the Lake District. These places have some fantastic hidden gems just waiting to be explored!

Where to stay?

Places to Explore

Lancashire is home to some great seaside towns along with lots of local attractions. You can visit the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis to see Lemurs, Snow Leopards and more. The popular Blackpool pleasure beach makes a great day out, with plenty to see and do nearby.

A great walking trail in Lancashire is the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail which is 4.5 miles of spectacular countryside along with breath-taking waterfalls. Lancashire is home to one of the most famous railway bridges in the world, Ribblehead Viaduct and is definitely a landmark worth visiting.

Ribblehead Viaduct, North Yorkshire

Just 30 minutes from Todber Valley Holiday Park is the Yorkshire Dales, where you can find Malham Cove and Gordale Scar which have been wowing visitors for hundreds of years. The Forbidden Corner, also in the Yorkshire Dales, is a brilliant day out, full of things to see, with beautiful gardens, labyrinths, tunnels, follies and surprises.

Cayton Bay Holiday Park is located in the seaside town of Scarborough which has plenty of local attractions too. If you’re thrill seekers then Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo is located just 37 minutes away from Cayton Bay Holiday Park. The Yorkshire Coast is home to lots of marine life including puffins, kittiwakes and guillemots which you can witness from Barmston Beach Holiday Park.

Sunny Scarborough, Yorkshire Coast

Venture to the Lake District on your weekend trip for endless exploring. The Lake District is perfect for walks, mountain treks or just sitting back and relaxing, enjoying the panoramic views. If you are still looking for something fun to do, then you could visit Brockhole on Windermere for some exciting outdoor activities including archery, high ropes and more.

Couples Short Breaks near Glasgow

Glasgow is a great place to access many of the top couple’s holiday destinations. Scotland is a beautiful place, ideal for scenic weekend breaks which aren’t too far away. It offers a wonderful natural setting, with lodges, hot tubs and plenty of things to do and see, this is ideal for a couple’s relaxing weekend away.

Where to stay?

Places to Explore

There are plenty of places to explore within a 2 hour drive from Glasgow. Loch Lomond is one of Scotland’s many scenic and peaceful lochs where you can enjoy waterside walks, panoramic views of the highlands, cruises, adventure attractions and quaint villages. While you’re there, you could also visit Loch Lomond’s Sea Life Aquarium for an underwater adventure.

Loch Lomond, Scotland

There are plenty of great walks to venture out on nearby Glasgow where you can see just how naturally picturesque Scotland is. The Inverclyde Coastal path is a great way to experience the different scenes this area has to offer as it combines sea views with vast stretches of woodland along with interesting wildlife, potentially including seals!

The Scottish Isles are great for exploring. Visit the Isle of Bute if you’re interested in history as this small island is full of medieval ruins and Victorian buildings. It’s just over an hour away from Wemyss Bay Holiday Park and you’ll find beautiful beaches and gardens here, ideal for walks. The Isle of Arran is a unique, natural wonderland where you can climb mountains or relax on the beaches. You can take a ferry for about an hour and a half to get there from near Sandylands Holiday Park, it’s a great place to see some amazing nature including animals such as red squirrels, deer, golden eagles, otters, seals, basking sharks and more.

The Isle of Bute, Scotland

Highland Safaris are a great way to explore the Scottish countryside. You can take part in a mountain safari, a forest safari, a 4x4 off-road safari, loch safaris and many more. Take on a unique journey of discovery as you head on an adventure up mountains and through forests. Armed with binoculars and cameras, you can expect to see some outstanding views and experience interesting culture and history, guided by the safari ranger.

Couples Weekend Holidays near Manchester & Liverpool

Manchester and Liverpool are within a good distance from lots of brilliant weekend break destinations including Lancashire, Wales and the Lake District. There are so many exciting experiences and things to see nearby which you’d never encounter if you didn’t venture out of the big cities.

Places to Explore

Lancashire is a great place to venture to on a weekend break as it has lots of ideal spots for walks and plenty of history and culture in its small towns and villages. Todber Valley Holiday Park, in the heart of the Ribble Valley, is located in a fabulous hilly countryside area with some stunning views and perfect for exploring. Morecambe Bay beach is a great spot to watch the sunset and relax. Lancashire is home to many wild life centres and theme parks along with castles, gardens, museums and art galleries meaning you’ll never be short on things to do on your weekend break.

Snowdonia National Park, Wales

Embark on the ultimate underground adventure at Go Below in North Wales. Test your nerve by venturing though a series of underground challenges such as zip lines, climbing up a vertical shaft, boating across a lake, scaling a waterfall and abseiling down the deepest point in the UK. Should you choose this activity, it will certainly be one to remember. North Wales is also brilliant for scenic walks and home to Snowdonia – the highest mountain in Wales.

Manchester is just over an hour and a half away from the Lake District which one of the most popular places in the UK for a couple’s weekend away. The Lakes have everything from thrilling tree top adventures and mountain climbs to relaxing hot tub breaks. Windermere is one of the best places in the Lake District to explore because of the variety it offers. White Cross Bay Holiday Park is located right by Windermere Lake and is ideal for walks, watching the sun set and boating. You can venture off for a mountain hike during the day and watch the sun go down over the lake by the evening. The local towns such as Keswick, Ambleside and Kendal are fun to explore, with charming markets and overflowing history and attractions. Ullswater is a sight not to miss, with calm clear waters overlooking the dramatic fells, it is a perfect spot to spend some quality time with your partner.

Couple’s Weekends Away near Newcastle

Newcastle is in the heart of the North East of England, making it a great place to travel from if you’re looking for a great location for a weekend break. Northumberland has so many beauty spots along the coast line and from this location, you can even make it to beautiful Scotland in under 2 hours!

Places to Explore

The Northumberland and County Durham area has such a variety of places for couples to see and explore during a weekend break. The coast of Northumberland has some great beaches for walks or to spot marine life. If you’re interested in animals, you can explore Northumberland Zoo or if you’re more into history and museums there are plenty of those in the area too. Woodhorn Colliery Museum is based in the biggest mining village in the UK and is just 3 minutes from Sandy Bay Holiday Park and 9 minutes away from Cresswell Towers Holiday Park.

Druridge Bay, Northumberland

Explore places such as Bamburgh or Alnwick Castle to take in Northumberland’s history. If you are staying at Whitley Bay Holiday Park, Tynemouth is a short distance away where there are some lovely bars, restaurants and beaches, including king Edwards Bay. Holy Island is a cool place to have a day trip during your weekend break to enjoy some spiritual heritage, but be sure to check the tide times before you go!

Northumberland has plenty of hidden gems such as Hareshaw Linn Waterfall in Bellingham, Hexham. Follow the trail through woodlands, across bridges and down narrow tracks to find the spectacular waterfall at the end. This is a great spot for a romantic picnic so don’t forget to bring snacks! Other brilliant waterfalls to see are High Force and Low Force, Forest-in-Teesdale. After you’ve seen the waterfalls there are plenty of walking trails to explore to experience some of the scenic Northumberland Countryside.

Hareshaw Linn Waterfall, Northumberland

If you’re into history, county Durham is an ideal spot to find some. Beamish Museum is a great couple’s day out where you can explore the old village, take a trip down the mine, ride on the old trams and enjoy the traditional sweets from the village sweetshop. Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle are both great historical attractions worth a visit if you are staying nearby.

Couple’s Holidays near Bristol

The city of Bristol is so close to some stunning locations such as Dorset, Devon and of course Wales. There are plenty of things to see and explore within just a 2 hour drive of Bristol city centre which make ideal locations for short breaks such as weekends away.

Where to stay?

Places to Explore

Whatever type of weekend holiday you’re looking for you’ll find it in Dorset. From dream beaches and water sports to fossil finding and world class natural wonders, Dorset has it all. The iconic Durdle Door brings thousands of tourists a year to the Jurassic Coast to see the natural limestone arch. You can explore local towns such as Weymouth, Wareham or Lyme Regis which are packed full of history to experience.

Lulworth Cove on the Jurassic Coast, Dorset

If you’re interested in animals, Dorset is home to Monkey World where the TV show Monkey Life is filmed. This is also the largest ape rescue centre in the world. Lulworth Cove is a particularly beautiful beach right in the heart of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site where you can expect to witness inspiring panoramic views. There are many exciting walks to do in this area including the Jurassic Pyramid, Handfast Point and Uplyme Circular.

Dartmoor National Park in Devon is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country and surrounded by vast, ancient woodland just waiting to be explored. It hosts a range of trails from relaxing walks to rocky climbs and steep descents. You can expect to see lots of wildlife here too including rabbits, chipmunks and reptiles. If you’re into surfing or interested in giving it a go, Devon is your perfect destination.

Couple’s Weekend Getaways near Swansea

South Wales is one of the top UK holiday destinations for couples as it has a beautiful coast and plenty of things to do and places to explore. Wales has so much unspoilt scenery to see, including mountains and lakes. This makes it an ideal location for long walks and discovering nature with a loved one. There’s plenty of history too including Norman and medieval castles which have remained intact over thousands of years.

Where to stay?

Places to Explore

Explore local Welsh towns such as Porthcawl for a fun fair as well as a Blue Flag Beach experience. This is an ideal location for surfing too. Visit Margam or Porthkerry Country Park for acres upon acres of woodland, meadows and more. A great attraction in South Wales is the National Showcaves Centre where you can see spectacular caves. One thing Wales certainly isn’t short of is beaches. Some of the best beaches include Langland Bay Beach, Oxwich Beach, Three Cliffs bay and of course, Trecco Bay Beach.

Sunset surfing, South Wales

If you’re a theme park lover, make sure you visit Wale’s biggest theme park – Oakwood Theme Park. This theme park is packed full of excitement including rollercoasters, a sky swing and plenty more thrilling rides for you to enjoy. If you’re in the mood for a bouncy adventure, visit Hangar 5 Trampoline Park which is a 10,000 square foot arena full of interconnected trampolines!

Once you’re done with all of that excitement why not head for a relaxing scenic walk? Wales has lots of lovely spots such as the Abbey Gardens and Lower Deer Park or Merthyr Mawr National Nature Reserve. There are lots of things to see on these walks including Victorian country houses, gardens, woodland, coastal views and sand dunes. For some waterfall exploring, head to Brecon Beacons National Park and take on the 4 hours, 4 waterfalls walk.

Where’s your favourite place to go for a couple’s weekend away? Let us know on our Facebook page!