Ten of the best things to do for couples in Yorkshire

Getting away, just the two of you, can be such a boost for your relationship, and Yorkshire offers a wealth of inspiring, uplifting and reviving activities to make the most of your break. If the weather’s not ideal, there’s undercover fun with a pampering session at a Turkish bath, a mooch around a stunning aquarium or frolics at a winter wonderland.

When the forecast is set fair, you can explore the great outdoors with a stroll around a reservoir, through a forest or across a sandy beach – or even trundling on a magnificent steam train. There’s also the impressive heritage of Yorkshire to investigate with its exemplary stately homes and historic buildings.

Yorkshire’s unparalleled scenery and warm welcome will guarantee a glorious escape so why not take a look at our suggestions of the best things to do for couples and plan a romantic getaway to remember?

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Harrogate Turkish Baths

Image credit: Harrogate Turkish Baths

These elegant Turkish Baths in the spa town of Harrogate are a chance to really spoil your loved one. Enter into the gorgeously tiled chambers to discover the sensory whirl of cooling, heating, soothing and cleansing. Turn up the heat by moving from the Tepidarium, through the Calidarium to the tropically hot Laconium, cooling down in the plunge pool in between before drifting into a reverie on a lounger in the Frigidarium afterwards.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Make a romantic getaway steam-powered with The North Yorkshire Moors Railway – it’s a diverting and nostalgic way to traverse 24 miles of this beautiful county. Gaze out of the window as you chuff through stunning scenery and stop at charming stations. Treat yourself to tea for two at Pickering Station – with its 1930s decor, you can recreate a scene from Brief Encounter. Goathland is another must, where episodes of Heartbeat and the first in the Harry Potter franchise were filmed. 

Dalby Forest

Whether you’re a couple who likes to shake things up or are happier watching the world go by, Dalby Forest has it all. This verdant paradise offers a multitude of activities to enjoy, including clearly marked walking and cycling routes so your loved-up woodland ramble doesn’t go awry. Art lovers will enjoy the sculptures dotted among the trees and thrill-seekers can get their hearts pounding during a high-level scramble through the canopy with Go Ape Treetop Challenge.

Temple Newsam

One of the best things to do in West Yorkshire for couples, Temple Newsam is a magnificent estate that offers old-school glamour in its house and a pastoral idyll in its gardens (landscaped by Capability Brown). Imagine you’re in a period drama as you wander around the exquisitely restored rooms – the original house was even built by a Mr Darcy! Outside, the extensive grounds offer manicured flowerbeds with roses to sink your nose into, and dreamy woodland vistas.

The Piece Hall

A splendid example of Georgian architecture, The Piece Hall is West Yorkshire’s go-to spot for a day out for two. The impressive 66,000 square-foot venue once provided the locus for the sale of ‘pieces’ or lengths of cloth, when Halifax was central to the wool trade, but now it’s home to a treasure trove of shops, galleries and cafes. Amble around the grand quadrangle, then take your pick of one of the tempting eateries for a meal ‘a deux’.

Snozone

Whether it’s a first date or an anniversary, Snozone makes for a fun-filled day with your squeeze. Dedicated to all things snowy, this frosty palace is perfect for all levels. If you’re an absolute beginner, get started with a lesson from one of the friendly team or head straight to the slopes to refresh your snowboarding and skiing skills if you’re a winter sports pro. There’s even super-easy sledging if you’re more about having fun than perfecting your snowplough.   

Yorkshire Wildlife Park

One of the top things to do in South Yorkshire for couples must be a visit to Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Your hearts will melt at the adorable animals here, plus they’re so healthy and well-cared for that you know they’re happy. As well as the popular lions, tigers, giraffes and polar bears, there are also friendly meerkats and playful tamarins to fall in love with.

Langsett Reservoir

Get away from it all with a stroll around Langsett Reservoir – the abundance of natural beauty will give you a boost. You don’t have to be a twitcher to appreciate the feathered friends also visiting – look out for herons and sandpipers on the shoreline and listen out for cuckoos and woodpeckers in the dappled shade of the surrounding woodland.

The Deep

How deep is your love? This and other puns are available at East Yorkshire’s best attraction: The Deep. Housed in a striking silver box on Hull’s Humber Estuary, it contains an underwater world of delights including a lift through the 10-metre Endless Ocean tank and a walk through the viewing tunnel as sharks and stingrays glide silently above.

Bridlington Beach

Unspoilt Bridlington South Beach stretches for a mile, making it the perfect spot to link arms and stroll across the golden sands. Roll up your trousers for a salty paddle or the braver among you will enjoy an invigorating dip. There’s a nearby grassy area with picnic benches, which is ideal for picnicking if you want to avoid sand in your sarnies! In high season, once you’ve passed the sandcastles and deckchairs, continue to Fraithesthorpe Beach where the crowd thins out and you can revel in the expanse of shining shore and an endless horizon.

Map of things to do for couples in Yorkshire

Plan a romantic day out in Yorkshire with this map showing ten of the best things to do for couples:

Places to stay in Yorkshire

With nearly 500 romantic retreats to choose from spanning the breadth of Yorkshire, you can take your pick of the ultimate cosy hideaways for two. As well as our hand-picked suggestions paired with the romantic days out featured here, there are hundreds of other desirable Yorkshire homes to make your own. For more inspiration read our guide to the best things to do in Yorkshire and browse our collection of romantic Yorkshire cottages to find your perfect base.