Plan a detective date for an alternative Valentine's Day

Take your partner on a unique adventure with Treasure Trails this Valentine’s Day for a date with a difference.

Discover how well you and your sleuthing sidekick work as a team while bonding over hard-to-solve problems and admiring the beautiful setting of your chosen location. Stumble across hidden gems and twisting tales along the way, turning a simple romantic walk into a memorable experience.

You don't have to ditch the flowers and chocolate for your detective date - make a day of it and do the lot! Plus, with over 1,200 Trails across the UK, you're bound to find one close to a cosy cafe or restaurant - perfect for a daring duo to relax after cracking the case.

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The 14 most romantic Trail locations 

Take a peek below at the top 14 most romantic Trails in the UK for you and your loved one to try on your detective date. If you can’t get there in a day, don't worry - you're sure to find a Trail just as special close by, and you might even get a couple of ideas for a romantic getaway for 2023!

1. Grasmere (Lake District, Cumbria)

Explore the glorious little village of Grasmere as you search for the lost manuscript on a treasure hunt. Be prepared to take in the staggering beauty that inspired generations of painters and poets before solving your final clues at St Oswalds Church, the final resting place of Romantic poet William Wordsworth, and the nearby Daffodil Garden.

2. Bath (Somerset)

Team up like Sherlock and Dr Watson and crack the code on this sweet spy mission, where the future of Bath's famous buns is at stake. Surrounded by beautiful Georgian architecture and stunning historical landmarks, you’ll feel like you are stepping into a period drama as you take on this Trail together.

3. Durdle Door (Dorset)

Solve the whodunnit on this detective mystery exploring the World Heritage Site steeped in archaeological history. The perfect detective date for palaeontology-loving partners - if you keep your eyes peeled, you may spot a unique memento to take home as a reminder of the day.

4. Bourton-on-the-Water (Gloucestershire)

Take a journey through this scenic village of Bourton-on-the-Water, described as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, as you take on a detective mystery Trail. Work as a team to examine the evidence around the five bridges over the River Windrush, follow up on witness reports beside the Model Village and chase down the crook through the site of a Roman encampment.

5. Mumbles (South Wales)

Travel along the pretty Welsh coastline as you and your partner explore the village that played an important part in the life of poet Dylan Thomas. To make your mission last, spend time on the beaches, venture along the iconic pier or duck into the Lovespoon Gallery for a unique gift.

6. Cambridge (Cambridgeshire)

Hunt high and low through Cambridge’s shop-lined streets for clues on this treasure hunt Trail. Wander into the old city to explore around Cambridge's famous University Colleges, where you can soak up the century-old stories of romantic authors, poets and artists passing through the college walls.

7. Windsor (Berkshire)

Prepare yourselves for a right royal adventure on this treasure hunt Trail, following in the footsteps of generations of royal couples. Turn the romance up a notch as you take a gentle stroll around glorious gardens and along the rippling riverside. Unveil Windsor's fascinating history and hidden gems (including the shortest street in Britain) as you hunt for clues.

8. Stratford-upon-Avon (Warwickshire)

The course of true love never did run smooth, but hopefully this quest will! You and your spouse will have to work together to avoid quarrels on this treasure hunt. You'll hear stories from the past, stumble on old taverns, see the house where William Shakespeare was born and visit his final resting place.

9. Oxford (Oxfordshire)

Weave through the ‘city of dreaming spires’ and its historic, cobbled streets as you crack the code on the spy mission Trail. See the ancient heart of Oxford, discover hidden gems and explore green spaces, all while learning some amazing stories. 

10. Edinburgh (Lothian, East Scotland)

‘Buckle yer kilt’ and prepare for adventure on this treasure hunt Trail surrounding Edinburgh. Twist and turn through the ancient streets, uncover unexpected landmarks and learn about the famous figures that made Edinburgh the city it is today.

11. York (North Yorkshire)

Solve the clues on this detective mystery Trail perfect for sweet-toothed lovers. Explore these picturesque ‘chocolate-box streets’, dive into the famous sweet museum, and unwrap amazing stories behind Terry's, Rowntree and other kings of confectionery as you hunt out the answers to the sneaky clues.

12. St. Ives (Cornwall)

Super sleuths will need to put their detective hats on to solve the mystery while patrolling along a picturesque route. You'll be searching high and low along the cobbled streets, winding past medieval inns, dazzling art galleries and quaint fisherman's cottages, uncovering the history and hidden gems with each step.

13. Notting Hill (London)

I’m just a girl...standing in front of a boy...asking him to solve a Treasure Trail with her. Explore the bustling Portobello Road and the peaceful Regent's Canal path in this quirky and colourful part of London on a detective mystery Trail.

14. Portree (Isle of Skye, West Scotland)

This treasure hunt starts by the sea and leads you around this pretty village and harbour town on the Isle of Skye. Seek clues in the village square, pass some of the oldest houses in Portree and investigate the Apothecary Tower with a chance of great views. Will you and your partner be able to find the treasure trove?

The perfect Valentine’s gift

Looking for a way to make your local Trail adventure into a romantic gift? Take a peek at personalised Treasure Trails! Simply choose the place you’d like to explore and select ‘Personalised by You’ – you get the option to change the Trail title and the image on the front. Ideal for a unique date for you and your other half.