Six adventurous ways to spend Valentine's Day

Nothing gets the heart racing quite like adventure! No matter who you’re spending this infamous holiday with, here are some unusual ideas to make this Valentine’s Day an unforgettable one.

Take a train ride into the mountains

An adventure surrounded by romantic scenery is a good place to start at this time of year! Disappear into the snow-topped peaks of the Cairngorms with the UK’s highest funicular railway. The whole attraction includes accessible parking and toilets, a train ride with dedicated seating, and audio description. Get a table for two at the mountain restaurant just beneath the summit!

Sip champagne above the Jurassic Coast

A glass of bubbly on Valentine’s Day won’t go amiss! How about sipping it in a slowly rotating gondola while soaking up the views of the World Heritage Site, Jurassic Coast? A five star rated attraction on Euan’s Guide, the glass capsule has ‘an easy flat entrance and wide doorways with a slot for a wheelchair.’

Spend a dramatic evening by the lakes

Enjoy the romance of the Lake District with a dash of drama at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick. The theatre hosts a range of assisted performances including audio described, captioned and relaxed showings. One reviewer wrote about ‘plots and spies down by the Derwent’ and gave this venue 4 stars saying, ‘the main theatre is fully accessible, with a lift to the upper floor.’

Meander through limestone caverns

Not quite the tunnel of love, but close! Climb on board a vessel and travel through the network of tunnels and limestone caverns in Dudley and marvel at the dripping structures. The venue has listed on Euan’s Guide saying that one of the boats is wheelchair accessible and ‘can accommodate one large or two smaller wheelchairs’. There is also an accessible toilet on the towpath which can be unlocked by a member of staff.

Brave the cliffs above a wintry sea

Rather than wandering hand-in-hand along a starlit lane this Valentine’s Day, why not go for a bracing trek along Cliff Lane instead? This dramatic nature reserve in Bempton sits at the top of chalk cliffs that are 400 feet high, and below the sea rages at this time of year. It’s a beautiful, lively setting with over a quarter of a million soaring seabirds that come and go throughout the year. The Seabird Centre itself is ‘fully accessible with flat access into the building and out onto the decking’; and if you do fancy doing the walk, the main paths can be reached by a ramp and are wheelchair-accessible. Don’t worry, you can warm up with a hot drink in the visitor centre once you’re done!

Follow in the footsteps of giants

Stand back in awe at the landscape that has inspired artists and rocked scientific debate over the centuries. The Giant’s Causeway is a location to fall in love with this Valentine’s Day, especially with a visitor centre that has step-free access, a Braille welcome leaflet, audio guides, and a Changing Places toilet! The trail outside is also wheelchair accessible, but there is the option of a shuttle bus to and from the causeway stones.

Where will you be spending Valentine’s Day this year? Don’t forget to send us a review of any great accessible places you discover!

Tags: valentine's day, outdoor, recommendations