4 romantic Valentine's Day activities in the North of England
Valentine's Day is on its way. Looking for inspiration? Discover 4 romantic activities in the North of England.
Like birthdays, religious holidays and New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day can be a whole lot of fun. But, somehow, it has a tendency to stress people out in their quest to get it right.
Well, we're here to tell you that there's no right or wrong way to do it. Spend the day in bed with your beloved if you like. Have a bonfire. Go to an archery class. Watch the Lord of the Rings
trilogy twice. Convention be hanged – it's all about you and your squeeze.
In other words, you don't need to spend a bomb on food and drink unless you really want to. Valentine's Day can be about creating new memories (or recreating old ones). And what better way to do that than with an out-of-town activity to clear away the cobwebs and get your Valentine's on?
The North of England is a hotbed of culture, history, nature and fun. Whether you're a local or looking for a romantic road trip, there's something for everyone – and the scenery along the way can be stunning.
So, without further ado, here are four romantic activities in the UK. We hope it helps you plan a day to remember.
1. Make your own chocolate bar at York Cocoa Works
If you're based in the North East, why not take a city break to York? It's 90 miles from Newcastle to York, and the route can include stop-offs at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Fountains Abbey.
When you arrive, there's plenty to do. If you're feeling sweet-toothed, you could take a trip to York Cocoa Works to make your own chocolate bar.
Running until 23 February, these workshops let you decorate tempered chocolate with sweets before moulding it into a Love Heart or other shape and packing it up for your beloved.
Along the way, you'll learn about the origins of cocoa, the way chocolate is manufactured and just how delicious York Cocoa Works' selection of chocolates is.
Workshops cost £25 per participant.
York is famously a city of history. But did you know it was a vital part of the story of chocolate manufacturing? From the 18th century, York was home to Rowntree's and Terry's, among other classic chocolate factories.
That means without York there would be no Rolos, no Quality Street, no KitKats, no Smarties, no Aeros and no Terry's Chocolate Orange. It hardly bears thinking about.
2. Watch the skies at Kielder Observatory
About 90 minutes' drive from Newcastle, Kielder Observatory in Northumberland hosts dark sky events, including stargazing.
Why, you might ask, should you make the trip to this specific observatory? Can't you see the night sky from, well, anywhere?
You can – but Kielder Observatory is located in Kielder Forest, which in turn is located within an International Dark Sky Park. This is the night sky equivalent of an Area of Outstanding National Beauty – an internationally recognised site where the skies get really, really dark.
This makes it a perfect place to gawp at the galaxy. What could be more romantic than wrapping up warm and craning your neck towards the cold, empty splendour of the Milky Way?
There's a "warm room" for presentations, two turrets with telescopes and an outside deck with moon chairs. Blankets are provided.
Before you make the journey, be sure to familiarise yourself with the Centre's
access requirements.
3. Uncover the fairytale romance of Bamburgh Castle
History buffs and lovers of the picturesque could do far worse than visit Bamburgh Castle, a 12th-century fortress built on a green-covered black crag.
The castle has a rich, storied history. Long before it became the classic-looking castle you see today, it was a hill fort, passing between British, Anglo-Saxon and Norman control.
In the 11th century, the site came under the control of William II, where it stayed before being snapped up by the industrialist William Armstrong in the 19th century.
To this day, the castle belongs to the Armstrong family. But unlike the kings and queens of old, the Armstrongs have opened the castle to the public – and it's the perfect destination for Valentine's Day.
There's the castle itself, of course. But there are also white sand beaches, dunes and candlelit dinners at the Lord Crewe Hotel. With its fairytale appearance, it could also be just the place to get down on one knee…
4. Go boating on Lake Windermere
We could write a whole guide dedicated to romantic days out in the Lake District – but one especially romantic getaway is Lake Windermere, the 11-mile-long ribbon lake in Cumbria.
It's a beloved natural feature, described by the Romantic poet William Wordsworth as "A universe of Nature's fairest forms… Magnificent, and beautiful, and gay."
Today, you can explore its magnificence from the comfort of a boat, whether it's a steamer, a ferry, a motorboat, a canoe or a rowing boat.
Book a guided boat ride or take the oar, paddle or wheel yourself. The views are spectacular and the winter air will be bracing.
Lake Windermere can be the destination or the beginning of a Valentine's Day getaway. The Lake District is bursting with natural beauty, fine dining, picturesque villages and more. The sky's the limit!
Hiring a car
If you need a set of wheels this Valentine's Day, why not consider hiring? At MVH Rental, we provide customers in the North East of England with a wide range of vehicles to suit a wide range of needs.
Maybe you want something straightforwardly roadworthy. Perhaps you want to try a fancier car than usual. Whatever your plans, we provide a flexible, cost-effective service that can make your Valentine's dreams come true.
To get started, explore our
cheap car rentals in Newcastle or give us a call on (0191) 4888 700. We look forward to hearing from you.
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