News A 'peaceful countryside escape' with 'tranquil charm' named as the best staycation spot for couples - full list

Sarra Gray

Guest Reporter
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Bushmills in Northern Ireland has emerged as the UK's top destination for couples in 2025, according to new rankings.

The tranquil countryside town topped the list ahead of Cornwall's St Ives and Scotland's Isle of Skye.



The rankings from Planet Cruise were determined by analysing the number of romantic four-star-plus hotels, intimate dining experiences, nightlife options, and couple-friendly attractions per 100,000 population across UK destinations.

Bushmills boasts an impressive 1,238.4 four-star-plus hotels per 100,000 residents, alongside 232.2 bars and clubs.


St Ives in Cornwall


The town features 77.4 fine dining restaurants and 541.8 couple-friendly attractions per 100,000 population.

The complete top 10 UK destinations

  1. Bushmills, Northern Ireland
  2. St Ives, Cornwall
  3. Isle of Skye, Scotland
  4. Windermere, The Lake District
  5. Bakewell, Derbyshire
  6. Kingsbridge, Devon
  7. Brecon, Wales
  8. Canterbury, Kent
  9. Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire
  10. Bath, Somerset

The experts said: "Nestled in the serene northern corner of Northern Ireland, Bushmills provides a peaceful countryside escape, free from the typical tourist crowds seen in other popular UK destinations.

"With just 16 4-star+ hotels, three bars and clubs, and a single fine dining option, Bushmills maintains its tranquil charm while still offering captivating experiences for couples, such as tours of the renowned Bushmills whisky distillery."

St Ives, situated at the tip of the Cornish coast, secured second place with 1,312.6 four-star-plus hotels per 100,000 residents.



The seaside town offers 74 romantic dining establishments and 647.1 couple-friendly attractions per 100,000 population.

With 129.4 bars and clubs per 100,000 residents, St Ives presents itself as an ideal destination for couples seeking a classic UK coastal retreat.

The town's 71 exceptional romantic hotels and seven bars provide ample options for couples planning a relaxing getaway.

The Isle of Skye, Scotland's sole representative in the top 10, claims third position with 1,553.4 four-star-plus hotels per 100,000 residents.

Despite its remote location off Scotland's west coast, the island features 102.9 fine dining establishments per 100,000 population.



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Bath UK

The destination offers 655.1 couple-friendly attractions per 100,000 residents, including various wildlife-watching experiences.

While the island has just 18.7 bars and clubs per 100,000 population, it compensates with its extensive luxury accommodation options.

For those looking to travel further afield for a break, new routes to Spain have been announced giving more opportunities to visit holiday hotspots.

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