THE UK’S TOP LOCATIONS FOR A ROMANTIC PROPOSAL
In the UK, we’re a nation of hopeless romantics. We’re responsible for Four Weddings, Love Actually and we just love a wedding. In fact, pre-COVID our wedding industry was worth around £14 billion. As with everything in the last year however, the pandemic turned things on its head.
But it also made us appreciate what’s on our doorsteps a little more, with trips to the countryside top of the agenda for many people in the UK. Whether that’s for exercise, time with friends and family. And maybe even romance. So, with UK weddings now back on the agenda, we wanted to see if the country’s reawakened love of the countryside was creeping into the consciousness of the romantics amongst us.
The UK’s most popular spots for proposals… according to Instagram
Whilst the likes of the Eiffel Tower, Disneyworld, or Bruges’ Lake of Love might once have been the go-to spots for a little romance and to seal an engagement, it now appears that Brits are making the most of the countryside on their doorsteps for a little romance.
We looked at Instagram to find out just where people were popping the question in England and Scotland.
Our top three in England were:
- Gold Hill, Shaftsbury (13% of all proposal related Instagram tags in England)
- Broadway Tower, Worcestershire (10%)
- Tower Bridge, London (7%)
- The Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides (21% of all proposal related Instagram tags in Scotland)
- Plockton Village (16%)
Other top locations in England and Scotland included the following:
England:
- Gold Hill
- Coleton Fisharce
- Thomas Hardy's Cottage
- Chatsworth House
- Stratford Upon Avon
- Stonehenge
- The Peak District
- Powderham Castle
- Grasmere
- York
- Mount Edgecomb House and Country Park
- Oxford Botanic Gardens
- Castle Comb
- St Mary the Virgin
- The Cotswolds
- Burford
- Sissinghurst
- Wylye
- St Edwards Church, Stow on the World
- Cookham
- Broadway Tower, Worcestershire
- Bristol Cathedral
- Preston Station
- The Chilterns
- Greenwich Park
- The London Eye
- Westminster Palace
- Bury St Edmunds
- Tower Bridge
- Bolton Abbe
- Canterbury
- Bath
- Canterbury
- Norwich
- Bidbury Village
- Prior Park
Scotland:
- Castle Tioram
- Kilmartin Castle
- Dunrobin Castle
- Kinnoull Hill
- Dunnotair Castle
- Plockton Village
- Rogart
- Isle of Lewis
- The Royal Mile
- Loche Ewe
- Loch Earn
- Winton Castle
- Luskintyre Beach
- Durness
- Neidpath Castle
- Edinburgh
- Glenfinnan Viaduct
- Elgol
- Brodie Castle
- John O'Groats
- Grey Mare's Tail
- Holyrood Abbey Ruins
- St Andrews
Popping the question? And our 60 favourite picks from around the UK
But what about those considering popping the question to their partners in the near future? Well we’ve got a few tips for that too.
When it comes to a memorable proposal, it’s the little details that make all the difference. Our first tip is to choose the ideal location. Is it somewhere that means something significant to your partner? Does it scream romance? Will it give you the seclusion to get down on one knee?
Consider also where you’re going to hide the ring – it’s the most important prop of your life after all! If you’re planning on a countryside proposal to pop the question you’ll need somewhere suitable to hide it, so your partner doesn’t spot it while you’re packing. You’ll also need to be able to access it easily when the time comes. We think our Burnsea Men’s Waterproof Jacket is just perfect. It’s ideal for any outdoor adventuring and it comes with a handy inside pocket to conceal the ring until the time is right.
You’ll also need to think about the right moment. Would a picnic work? Is it all about looking at the view (or just into each other’s eyes)? You’ll know when the time is right. And don’t forget the fizz either!
Finding your perfect outdoor proposal spot
Instagram is of course a great place for inspiration when it comes to choosing the right proposal place. But as pioneers of exploration in the UK and as lovers of the Great British countryside, we’ve also compiled our list of the top 60 locations from across the UK that are just perfect for a proposal. Some are well known and others a little more obscure.
Yorkshire and the Humber
We had to start here. With our heritage in Yorkshire, we know the countryside like the back of our hands and have experienced plenty of our county’s top romantic spots, including:
- Between Robin Hoods Bay and Whitby
- Filey Cliffs
- Ribblehead Viaduct
- Slippery Stones
- Spurn Head
South East
With beautiful beaches and spectacular coastlines, plus plenty of green spaces too, the South East ticks all the romance boxes. Our top picks include:
- Pashley Manor Gardens
- Golden Cap
- Corfe Castle
- Warburg Nature Reserve
- Polesden
South East
With beautiful beaches and spectacular coastlines, plus plenty of green spaces too, the South East ticks all the romance boxes. Our top picks include:
- Pashley Manor Gardens
- Golden Cap
- Corfe Castle
- Warburg Nature Reserve
- Polesden
Scotland
Our top Scottish picks include some of the best beaches in the country, quaint and hidden countryside spots, and romantic lochs. If you’re feeling the romance, why not pick one of the following for your perfect proposal:
- Trescoe Isles of Scilly
- West Sands, St Andrews
- Loch an Eilein
- The Hermitage, Dunkeld
- Jarlshoff in the Shetlands
Northern Ireland
From one of the world’s most famous natural wonders to a coastal temple, and some gorgeous gardens, our Northern Ireland picks showcase the very best of the country’s romantic spots. They include:
- Giant’s Causeway
- Mussenden Temple
- Mount Stewart House Gardens
- Devenish Round Tower
- The Dark Hedges
London
Packed with plenty of green spaces and world-famous romantic locations, London is of course the ideal place to let your loved one know how much they mean to you with a little romance and the biggest question of their lives. These are our top picks for a proposal in the capital:
- Hammersmith Bridge Walk
- Richmond Park
- Parkland Walk
- Wimbledon Common
- Hampstead Heath Pergola
South West
One of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring parts of the world. Whether you’re lucky enough to call it home or you’re on a staycation to remember, the South West has too many romantic spots to choose from. Lucky for you, we’ve picked our top five. They are:
- St Nectan’s Glen
- Trewarmett to Tregardock walk
- Bellever Tor
- Ubbley Warren
- Avebury Stone Circle
North West
Whether it’s the Cheshire countryside, west coast beaches or jaw-dropping sculptures, the North West promises a few surprises when it comes to its romantic spots. They include:
- Ennerdale Water
- Singing Ringing Tree
- Formby Pinewoods
- Greenbooth Reservoir
- The Edge, Alderley Edge
East of England
From the Norfolk Broads to Cambridgeshire’s sites of special scientific interest and old Anglican churches, the East of England has it all. Our favourite romantic locations include:
- Heigham Holmes
- Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve
- Cudmore Grove
- St Andrew’s Church, Coverhithe
- Ashridge Estate
East Midlands
We’re talking prehistoric playgrounds and the very best of the Peak District. Our top East Midlands locations that are ideal for a wedding proposal include:
- Bellmount Tower
- Dovedale
- Cresswell Craggs
- Collyweston Great Woods and East Hornstocks NNR
- Beacon Hill
West Midlands
From English heritage properties to country parks and world famous literary trails, there are plenty of potential proposal places to choose from in the West Midlands. Our favourites include:
- Moreton Corbet Castle
- Caer Caradoc
- Worcestershire Beacon
- Tolkien Trail Birmingham
- Lickey Hills
North East
Our favourite picks from across the North East include a 14th century castle, a majestic waterfall and a Roman Fort. It’s safe to say the North East is a pretty romantic place. Our top 5 include:
- Dunstanburgh Castle
- Beadnell Bay
- Linhope Spout Waterfall
- Housesteads Roman Fort
- Haeshaw Linn
Wales
When it comes to romantic destinations in Wales, we’re talking windswept island beaches, a 12th century abbey and the Brecon Beacons National Park – home to the highest peak in South Wales.
- Llanddwyn Island
- Tintern Abbey
- Llyn y Fan Fach
- Rhandirmwyn
- Pen y Fan
Where will you pick? Whichever you do - happy romancing!
