The Lake District has been revealed as the most romantic destination in the UK.
A study of 2,000 Brits discovered the most idyllic spots in the lead up to Valentine’s Day, including St Ives and Loch Lomond.
The popular Cotswolds villages of Bourton-on-the-water and Stratford-upon-Avon also featured, as did Dorset’s Durdle Door.
Windermere in the Lake District took the top spot and Scotland made up two of the top 10 places, with Arthur’s Seat joining Loch Lomond.
Although 64 per cent would opt for the countryside when thinking of romantic places, London sights including St Paul’s Cathedral, Little Venice and Greenwich Park made the top 40.
Simon Ewins, managing director for Premier Inn UK, which commissioned the research said: “In the lead up to Valentine’s Day it’s great to celebrate what we have on our doorstep.
“The UK clearly has lots of romantic destinations for days out or weekends away to escape the busy everyday and enjoy quality time away.
“Whether you opt for a city skyline or secluded green space, there are plenty of idyllic spots to enjoy.
“It’s important not only on Valentine’s Day but throughout the year to experience new destinations with a partner and enjoy what the UK really has to offer.”
The research also found half the nation believes UK romantic spots are underrated compared to those abroad.
Coastal destinations in the top 40 list include Tenby in Wales, Langamull on the Isle of Mull and Liverpool’s Crosby Beach.
The ideal recipe for a romantic place was found to include a viewpoint to watch the sunset (61 per cent), a quiet and secluded area (58 per cent) and greenery (44 per cent).
Popular green spaces in the list include The New Forest, Richmond Park and Windsor Park.
The most favoured places Brits have been proposed to include Arthur’s Seat, Durdle Door and Brighton Pier.
More than half of those polled said it’s important to visit romantic destinations with a partner to keep the relationship strong, and 47 per cent have revisited a favourite spot.
A fifth even admitted to visiting the same scenic place with a previous partner.
And an eighth of those polled via OnePoll went to a romantic destination on a first date.
The average couple goes on two sentimental weekends away together each year, costing around £187 each trip.
While 63 per cent think of places as romantic if they have memories of visiting there with a partner, more than half said even if they haven’t been somewhere they can tell its romantic potential based on photos.
A fifth chooses to visit destinations they’ve seen on TV or in films, and a quarter want to show their other half places they visited as a child.
And a third said wanting to cover off areas of the UK they’ve never seen makes them decide where to travel with a partner.
For inspiration visit premierinn.com
Top 40 Most Romantic Spots in the UK:
1. Windermere, Lake District
2. Loch Lomond, Scotland
3. St Ives, Cornwall
4. Peak District National Park, Peak District
5. Grasemere, Lake District
6. Bourton-on-the-water, Cotswolds
7. Durdle Door, Dorset
8. Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh
9. The New Forest, Hampshire
10. Royal Crescent, Bath
11. York, Northeast England
12. Brighton Pier, Brighton
13. London Eye, London
14. Stratford-upon-Avon, Cotswolds
15. St Paul's Cathedral, London
16. English Riviera, Torbay
17. Giant's Causeway, Belfast
18. Kynance Cove, Cornwall
19. Little Venice, London
20. Stow on the Wold, Cotswolds
21. Hyde Park, London
22. Greenwich Park, London
23. Windsor Park, Windsor
24. Langamull Beach, Isle of Mull
25. Richmond Park, London
26. Castle Combe, Wiltshire
27. Sandbanks Beach, Poole
28. Llanddwyn Island, Northwest Wales
29. Tenby, Pembrokeshire
30. Cambridge Quayside, Cambridge
31. Southbank, London
32. Three Cliffs Bay, Swansea
33. Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth
34. Suspension Bridge, Bristol
35. Crosby Beach, Liverpool
36. Cardiff Bay, Cardiff
37. The Quayside, Newcastle
38. Alderley Edge, Cheshire
39. Barry Island, Vale of Glamorgan
40. Clevedon Pier, Clevedon
