Want to show your true love on Valentine’s Day? Swap busy restaurants and clichéd gifts for a romantic and unforgettable break by the sea. Think hand-in-hand walks beside crashing waves, sunset picnics by a fire on the beach, and candle-lit dinners under the stars. Whether you and your loved one enjoy fine dining or full throttle adventures, here are ten romantic things to do by the coast for Valentine’s.
1. Let Love Be Your Guiding Light
Take your lover to one of the UK’s historic lighthouses, where you’ll be seduced by breathtaking panoramas and maritime history. Not only are the UK’s lighthouse wrapped in romantic tales of old, they are also prime locations to spot marine wildlife from Britain’s shores. Head to West Cornwall’s Godrevy Lighthouse and spot a seal colony in the neighbouring cove, and from Yorkshire’s Flamborough Head Lighthouse you might even spot a whale breaching in the distance.
2. Catch a Wave (or Two) Together
Fancy an adventure with your Valentine? Embrace your inner thrill-seekers and try a new watersport on your romantic coastal break. You could have a go at surfing in Cornwall’s world-famous breaks, kayaking along the dramatic coastline of Devon, or stand-up paddleboarding in the crystal-clear waters of Dorset. While the water’s still cold in February, high-tech wetsuits ensure you’re toasty whatever the weather, and you can master basic wave-riding and paddling skills before the summer crowds descend, ready for a year of water-bound adventures together.
3. Unpack a Winter Picnic on the Cliffs
Pack a basket or backpack with delicious seasonal treats from a local deli, along with a bottle of bubbly and cosy blankets. Then set off on a scenic stroll to a secluded spot on the clifftops, where you can hunker under your blankets and enjoy a private picnic surrounded by wild coastal beauty. Some of our favourite winter picnic spots are the White Cliffs of Dover, Beachy Head in East Sussex, and the Gower Peninsula in Wales. Just don’t forget a flask of hot drinks, so that you can stay and watch the sunset turn the horizon pink and gold, before heading back to your cosy coastal cottage.
4. Dine on the Foods of Love
Oysters and mussels have long been considered aphrodisiacs, so why not woo your Valentine with the foods of love in a romantic restaurant? Indulge in a decadent seafood platter at Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Cornwall, crack into oysters and crabs at The Oyster Shack in Devon or combine craft beers and oysters at Wheelers Oyster Bar in Whitstable, that was founded over century ago by a local dredger.
5. Stargaze by the Sea
The UK coastline boasts some of the darkest skies in the country, making it the perfect spot for stargazing – one of the most romantic activities you can enjoy with your loved one on Valentine’s. Spread out a blanket on the sand and light a beach fire to keep you warm while you lose yourselves in the vastness of the universe. Or, why not find a coastal cottage where you can stargaze from the hot tub with bubbly in hand and the waves glinting in the distance? Just use our search filter to find a romantic retreat with a hot tub on the UK coast.
6. Pamper Yourselves at a Seaside Spa
Indulge in a day of complete relaxation and rejuvenation at a coastal spa retreat this Valentine’s Day. Enjoy a traditional sauna and cold plunge beside the waves, or head to a seaside spa that offers ocean-inspired treatments, such as seaweed wraps and aromatherapy massages using marine-based products. We love Bedruthan’s sensory spa garden in Cornwall and the Victoria Hotel Source Spa in Sidmouth, and have hand-picked some of the saunas by the sea where you can away stress with your loved one.
7. Promenade Along the Pier and Hit the Beach Arcades
Nothing is more romantic than a winter stroll along one of Britain’s iconic seaside piers, with the wild sea breeze whipping a rosy glow to your cheeks. Then unleash your childish side and hit the arcades together, clocking up prizes on the two-penny push machines, competing at air hockey and making memories in the hall of magic mirrors. From Brighton’s Palace Pier to the Grand Pier in Weston-Super-Mare and Blackpool South Pier, the UK has plenty of piers for some playful romance this Valentine’s Day.
8. Explore Your Wild Side on a Wildlife Adventure
Wrap up and experience the wonders of the marine world on a romantic wildlife adventure together on Valentine’s Day. Wait for low tide and cross the causeway to Northumberland’s ‘Holy Island’ to spot seals and seabirds, look for pods of dolphins off the coast of Cornwall, or stroll along the single ridge at Norfolk’s Blakeney Nature Reserve to see seal pups in England’s largest grey seal colony.
9. Stroll Hand-in-Hand Along the Beach
There’s a reason that countless romantic movies feature couples strolling along the beach. Star in your own romance on hand-in-hand strolls beside the waves, with the rhythmic lull of the waves as your soundtrack and the sand between your toes on a secluded cove. You and your loved one might even brave baring all for a Valentine’s Day dip!
10. Snuggle Up in a Seaside Cottage
Imagine cosy evenings by the fire with the winter storms rapping at the window, waking up to sea views and stepping outside for coffee on the beach. Could there be a more romantic setting for your Valentine’s celebration than a coastal cottage where you and your lover can hideaway beside the sea?
Check out our collection of romantic coastal cottages available for a Valentine’s Break.
