Lake District for Couples: 31 Romantic Ideas 2023
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Looking for the best things to do in the Lake District for couples? You’ve come to the right place. In this post, I help you to plan the most perfect romantic weekend break to the Lake District.
The Lake District National Park is one of the best places in the UK for a romantic getaway. From scenery that looks like it’s straight from a postcard, idyllic English country pubs, and lake-side picnics, it’s a perfect location for a proposal, a special occasion or a romantic break.
In the following post, you can plan and prepare some romantic ideas for you and your partner when visiting the Lake District.
Other Lake District posts:
- 9 Easy Walks in the Lake District (That Still Have Incredible Views)
- Wild Swimming in the Lake District: The Best Spots
- Where to Stay in the Lake District: An Area Guide
Lake District for Couples: A Summary
The Lake District is a large national park located in the north of England. Whilst it’s famous for it’s hiking, beautiful viewpoints and miles of English countryside, it is also known as one of the most romantic places in the UK.
If you are visiting the Lake District in a couple, there are plenty of date nights and romantic ideas to do. Head to Ambleside if you are visiting for the first time, and stay in a cottage or boutique hotel, right in the heart of the Lake District.
Related posts: Where to Stay in the Lake District (Area Guide)
Where to stay in the Lake District for a romantic break
If you are looking for some cosy, romantic accommodations in the Lake District, have a look at the following stays. All have been recommended by other couples, and have excellent reviews for romance, calm and tranquility.
👩❤️💋👨 Ambleside Townhouse: a family-run stay in the heart of Ambleside. ➡ Check prices now!
💐 Ravenstone Manor: a rustic, 19th-century manor house set in 3 hectares of ground. ➡ Check prices now!
💘 Rum Doodle: vintage style, luxury accommodation just one mile from Lake Windermere. ➡ Check prices now!
Getting around the Lake District
If you can, take a car to get around the Lake District. If you only have one day, you don’t want to be spending hours waiting for public transport. Don’t have a car? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!
However, if you haven’t got access to a car, exploring the Lake District can still be done! The Lake District has amazing public transport (a lot better than some of the rest of the country), and you can whizz around on buses and boats. For more information about travelling around the Lake District without a car, you can check out my guide here.
➡ Need to hire a car in the Lake District? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! 🚗 LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!
18 (+13 Bonus) Romantic Date Night Ideas for the Lake District
1. Watch the sunset at one of the Lake District’s best viewpoints
The Lake District is known for its breathtaking viewpoints, and watching the sunset from some of them is enough to create a core memory. 🫶🏼
Head up to a sunset point early, take a bottle of wine or a few beers and enjoy a date night for free. Some of the best sunset points in the Lake District are:
- Orsett Head
- Latrigg (although this ones better at sunrise)
- Warnscale Bothy
- Keswick waterfront
- Castlerigg Stone Circle
- Pooley Bridge
- Wastwater
- Kirkstone Pass
- Loughrigg
2. Dance the night away to live music in a traditional English pub
Most pubs and restaurants will put on live music in the evenings, especially at the weekend. You can always pre-check by looking on their website when you know the name of the one you want to visit. Dancing or listening to live music in a traditional English pub is a great romantic way to spend your evening.
Related post: Best pubs in Ambleside | Best pubs in Keswick
3. Dress up and head to a local restaurant
The Lake District has some great restaurants that overlook the lakes and mountains. This is the perfect idea for a romantic date night! For restaurants with the best views, check out:
- The Boardwalk Bar and Grill (Lake Windermere)
- The Drunken Duck (Ambleside)
- The Bluebird Cafe (Coniston)
- The Netherwood Hotel (Grange-Over-Sands)
- Hillthwaite House Hotel (Windermere)
- Damson Dene Hotel – The Heron View restaurant (Lyth Valley)
- Armathwaite Hall
4. Stay in a rustic, remote cottage
Staying in unique accommodation is something that can make your trip more romantic. Whether you book a remote shepherd’s hut or a rustic cottage, it can make all the difference to your romantic getaway. Most of the accommodation like this in the Lake District also has incredible mountain views.
Related post: Lake District in December: Everything You Need To Know!
5. Hire a boat or paddleboard
The Lake District is a great place to try some watersports. From kayaking to paddleboarding, wild swimming and even cliff jumping, doing an adrenaline-filled activity is a great date idea.
Some of the best water sport and swimming locations include Coniston Water and Lake Windermere.
6. Have a lake-side picnic with food from a local Lake District market
Another great activity in the Lake District for couples is to have a picnic in the countryside. Bring your blanket and basket from home, grab a bottle of wine and buy fresh food from the local Lake District markets. Even with some fresh bread and cheese, it’s a perfect Lake District date!
Need picnic equipment for your Lake District getaway? You can buy my favourite picnic blanket here, or this beauitful picnic basket that we have used for romantic picnics all over the UK!
7. Go stargazing
As the Lake District has little light pollution, it’s a great place in the UK to stargaze. Whether you can see the stars from your accommodation, or a nearby field, it’s a great way to spend your time in the Lake District in a couple.
Some of the best stargazing spots in the Lake District are:
- Ennerdale Water
- Friar’s Crag
- Grizedale Forest
- Blea Tarn
- Wasdale
- Allan Bank, Grasmere
- Dockray, Ullswater
- Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre
On some nights, it’s even been said that you can see the Milky Way from the Lake District. 🌌
8. Delve into the Lake District’s history
The Lake District is known as inspiration to writers and poets, so why not learn more about the history and culture of the lakes? Visit William Wordsworth’s family home, Dove Cottage, in Grasmere, and read about some of his famous literature. Or sit on the scenic viewpoints where John Ruskin was inspired to write, and take your own journal with you!
9. Drink coffee in the countryside
There are some amazing coffee spots in the Lake District. We really are spoilt for choice! A sweet date idea is going for a morning walk with a takeaway coffee. Sometimes we buy a coffee en route to a beautiful view point, and just sit and watch the world go by. It’s an easy, cheap and romantic idea for couples in the Lake District!
Related post: Best coffee in the Lake District
10. Get up early to see the sunrise
Sunrises in the Lake District can be just as stunning as sunsets, so if you’re an early riser, I’d recommend planning one in. Some of the best sunrise spots in the Lake District include:
- Castlerigg
- Loweswater
- Wasdale Head Valley
- Coniston Water
- Buttermere Lake
- Ullswater Lake
Related post: Best breakfast cafes in the Lake District.
11. Take a long walk along the lakes or through the mountains
Walking and hiking together is one of the most romantic things you can do in the Lake District. Switch off from technology and enjoy your quiet time together. There are so many beautiful walks and hikes in the Lake District to do as a couple.
Related post: Easy walks in the Lake District | Walks from Ambleside
12. Have a bike ride
You can rent a bike in the Lake District for a few hours or the entire day. Combine it with a local pub lunch or a picnic, and you’ve got an entire date day planned! Best places to hire a bike in the Lake District:
- Coniston Boating Centre
- Hawkshead
- Waterhead
- Windermere
These are just a few, and you can rent electronic, mountain and regular bikes all over the Lake District.
13. Go on a spa day
Another romantic idea in the Lake District is to treat yourselves to a massage, facial or jacuzzi. The Lake District is home to some of the best spas in the country, so if your budget allows, plan a spa date day! Some of the best spas in the Lake District include:
- Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa
- Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa
- Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa
- Langdale Hotel & Spa
- Holbeck Ghyll, Windermere
14. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and try something new
The Lake District is all about adventure, and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is something that can really solidify your relationship. Do something that scares you and try something new! Some ideas for adventure in the Lake District:
- Hiking to a high (or low!) viewpoint
- Mountain biking
- Paddleboarding
- Forest walking
- Kayaking or sailing
- Wild swimming
- High rope walking
- Off road driving
- Adventure/outdoor survival training
- Treetop trekking
- Segway adventures
And so many more!
Related posts: Best things to do in Grasmere | Best things to do in Ambleside.
15. Take a cooking class
Learning a new skill in the Lake District makes for a great romantic date. Why not take a cooking class together? My partner and I have taken cooking classes together all over the world, and they’re now some of our favourite memories.
The Lake District has some great cooking classes, where you can learn about the local history of the food and the people behind the cooking.
16. Hike a hidden or remote waterfall
There are some romantic hikes that lead to hidden and remote waterfalls in the Lake District. If the weather is warm enough, and it is safe to do so, you can even jump into the waterfalls and enjoy wild swimming together. Some of the best-hidden waterfalls in the Lake District include:
- Ritson’s Force, Wasdale Head
- Scale Force, Buttermere
- Dob Gill Waterfall, Thirlmere
- Tom Gill Waterfalls, Tarn Hows
Related post: The best walks from Ambleside, including waterfalls.
17. Have a cosy night in
Why not relax in front of the fire and have a cosy night in? Open a bottle of wine, and enjoy a romantic evening together in your unique accommodation.
It’s a perfect idea for couples wanting to relax, reset and just enjoy each other’s company. Don’t forget your laptop to watch Netflix! 🍿
18. Climb a mountain
If you can climb a 900m mountain together, you can do anything. The Lake District has some beautiful hikes, and it’s a romantic day date idea.
Dating in the Lake District
👩❤️👨 If you’re going to date whilst visiting the Lake District, especially via dating apps, always meet in a public place. Send your location to your friends and keep them updated throughout.
13 Bonus romantic date nights in the Lake District
If you are looking for a date night in the Lake District, these are some of the most romantic ideas. 💐
- Take a picnic blanket and a picnic basket to surprise your partner with a romantic lakeside lunchtime date. Small surprises like this make all the difference!
- Buy flowers from a local market and surprise your partner at breakfast.
- Pick up freshly roasted coffee for brunch in one of the Lake District’s famous villages.
- Take a disposable camera, and take photos of your trip to print and put into a scrapbook.
- Bring your laptop and some popcorn for a cosy night in front of the fire watching your favourite movie.
- Have breakfast in bed overlooking the lakes.
- Make a homemade meal together in your rustic cottage kitchen.
- Drink wine by the lake until sundown.
- Turn your phones OFF and have a no technology ban.
- Have a games night.
- Bake a cake with ingredients from a local market.
- Dance around your cottage to your favourite music.
- Dress up (or dress down) and head out to a restaurant or local pub.
Lake District for couples: FAQs
1) Is the Lake District romantic?
Yes! The Lake District is a romantic place to visit with your partner. With the dramatic scenery of the lakes and mountains, combined with its inspiration for countless authors and poets, it’s hard not to feel romantic in the Lake District!
2) Where is best to stay in the Lake District?
If you’re only staying in the Lake District for a few nights, I recommend staying in Ambleside. Ambleside is known as the ‘heart of the Lake District’, and is one of my personal favourite areas, as it’s within walking distance of Lake Windermere.
If you’re only visiting the Lake District briefly, it’s an easy way to see some of the quintessential grey slate buildings, traditional pubs, and modern Lake District restaurants.
3) Which part of Lake District is the best?
There are many locations in the Lake District that can be considered as beautiful or the ‘best’. Some of the most beautiful villages in the Lake District include Ambleside, Grasmere and Windermere. For incredible views, hike either Helm Crag, Loughrigg Fell or Helvellyn. For a peaceful walk with incredible views, check out Blea Tarn or Tarn Hows.
There are a number of beautiful hikes in the Lake District, but Latrigg is one of the most beautiful easy hikes. Just a short 15-minute walk from the car park, the Latrigg viewpoint has some of the most beautiful views in the entire National Park.
4) Which parts of Lake District are less touristy?
The further out of the National Park (and away from villages like Ambleside, Windermere and Bowness) will be the least touristy areas. If you stay in one of the towns just outside of the National Park (like Ulverston), you will be around fewer tourists than in the centre.
If you want to save some money on accommodation, Ulverston is a short drive out of the Lake District National Park. But, it is still one of the prettiest villages in the surrounding areas and in this Lake District area guide!
Beautiful Ulverston accommodations:
- If you’re travelling to the Lake District in a group, check out The Stables’ three-bedroom house. It’s cosy, has its own garden and BBQ for you to use, and is close to the town centre. ➡ BOOK THIS COTTAGE NOW!
- A cottage suited more for couples is Sunnybank. It’s cosy and comfortable, and has its own outside space for you to enjoy! ➡ BOOK THIS COTTAGE NOW!
5) Do I need a car to visit the Lake District?
If you’re visiting the Lake District and are short on time, I recommend hiring a car. However, it is possible to get around the Lake District using public transport.
If you’re looking to hire a car in the Lake District, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in the UK now!
6) What is the best time to visit Lake District?
You can visit the Lake District 365 days a year; as it’s an ‘any kind of weather’ destination in the UK. However, if you want the cheapest accommodation prices, visit in the shoulder season (autumn and spring). During the winter months (November – February), you can expect layers of snow to be covering the trails and paths.
Summer months in the UK (June – August) are always the most expensive months to visit the Lake District, as well as being the busiest. But of course, it’s when you’ll get the best weather, with dry, hot and sunny days.
7) What tours should I do in the Lake District?
Looking to book a tour in the Lake District? Tours are one of the best ways to see the hidden gems of the country you are visiting. If you’re travelling during peak season, I highly recommend pre-booking your tours to ensure you don’t miss out!
When travelling, we use this company to book our tours. Tours include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else!
If you’re visiting for the first time, the tours I recommend doing are:
- Ten Lakes Full-Day Tour: ➡ MORE INFORMATION + BOOKINGS
- William Wordsworth and Dove Cottage Half-Day Tour: ➡ MORE INFORMATION + BOOKINGS
- Beatrix Potter Tour: ➡ MORE INFORMATION + BOOKINGS
➡ You can check out available tours in the Lake District with prices here!
8) Do I need a SIM card to visit the Lake District?
If you’re not from the UK, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive.
ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are eSIMs available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
Lake District for Couples: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know as a couple visiting the Lake District. When you’re planning a trip to the Lake District, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Lake District content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
Other Lake District posts:
- Easy Walks in the Lake District (That Still Have Incredible Views)
- Wild Swimming in the Lake District: The Best Spots
- Where to Stay in the Lake District: An Area Guide
- 10 EPIC Things to Do in Grasmere, Lake District
- Scafell Pike From Langdale: Everything You Need To Know
- Things To Do In Ambleside In The Rain: 10 EPIC Ideas!
- Lake District Itinerary 1 Day Plan: The BEST Day Trip!
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MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
