Place for a date - architeria.eu

WARWICK CASTLE VOTED UK'S HOTTEST PLACE FOR A DATE


As part of its 175th Anniversary celebrations and to coincide with Valentine’s Day, the Royal Institute
of British Architects (RIBA) launched a light-hearted poll to find the nation’s favourite ‘construction for
seduction’. Fourteen buildings from across the UK were selected for their emotive power and dating
potential (see list below). Warwick Castle is the Valentine’s Day winning building with 20% of voters
choosing it as the place they would most like to take somebody to on a date.

The top five buildings in the poll, and comments left by voters, are:

Warwick Castle 20%
“You can even hire your own suit of armour to wear when you propose!”

The Roman Baths, Bath 15%
“With a Great Bath and a Sacred Spring what more could any couple want?”

Royal Pavilion, Brighton 14%
“Excessive, outrageous and extravagant, it was designed for partying with style.”

London Eye 13%
“What goes round comes around in the world of romance”

Blenheim Palace 9%
“A Baroque n’ Roll place for a date”

The RIBA will continue collecting votes until 6 April. To vote for the building that you would most love
to love in, go online at: www.architecture.com/constructionforseduction

The selected buildings are as follows:

Blackpool Tower, Lancashire
Opened in 1894, this 158m tall cast steel and iron landmark was inspired by the Eiffel Tower. Romantic
daredevils enjoying this popular seaside resort can tremble their way to the viewing platform together
to test their love, hand-in-hand, on the 'Walk of Faith' – a glass floor that looks straight down
to the Promenade, 116m below.

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Perhaps Britain’s most romantic palace, there are few more captivating sights to quicken the heart than
this exquisite Baroque building set in its 2,100 acres of beautiful parkland. Built to celebrate victory
over the French and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, lovers will be swept away with a mixture
of romantic and historic fervour.

British Museum, London
You’re sure to impress with a visit to one of the world’s greatest museums. Marvel starry-eyed at some
of the 7 million objects, including the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon marbles, while leaving time to wander
hand-in-hand around the Great Court with its incredible glass and steel roof enclosing the two-acre square.

Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
One of Britain's best loved houses, Chatsworth House is a place to impress. Famed for its magnificent,
opulent building containing one of Europe's finest private art collections, and located in a truly dreamy
country park setting, it’s enough to make anyone go weak at the knees.

Eden Project, Cornwall
What better place for your love to blossom than in the world’s biggest hothouse? With over one hundred
thousand plants from across the world, this unique landmark structure manages to combine ecology,
horticulture, science, art and architecture.

Edinburgh Castle
Dominating the skyline of one of the world’s most romantic cities, this majestic landmark, perched atop its
dramatic volcanic crag, has been a stronghold for over 3,000 years. The dramatic views are worth
the climb alone. Lovers can also enjoy the One o’ Clock Gun, Birth Chamber and Crown Room.

London Eye (Millennium Wheel), London
Romance your loved one while taking in 55 of London's most famous landmarks aboard one of the world's
largest observation wheels. The 135m tall structure, which combines the best of British design, architecture
and engineering, has quickly become a symbol for the capital and a popular place to get married!
Just make sure that you have a head for heights.

Millennium Bridge, Gateshead, Northumberland
Linking Gateshead with Newcastle, the 2002 RIBA Stirling Prize winning Millennium Bridge not only serves
a functional purpose as a foot and cycle bridge, but its striking grace and engineering has made it
a destination in its own right. What better location to admire physical and aesthetic beauty?

Portmeirion, Gwynedd, Wales
This enchanting village was created by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, using a combination of beautiful and eclectic
restored buildings and Italianate decorative features. Occupying a magical peninsular setting above miles
of sandy beaches, lovers will be hard-pressed to find a more romantic location.

Royal Pavilion, Brighton
The Royal Pavilion grew from humble beginnings to the spectacular Indian-style palace that exists today
largely due to the patronage of the Prince Regent. He enjoyed a succession of passionate love affairs
– dating here has a long history! But lovers beware: his drinking, womanising and gambling left
him heavily in debt…

The Backs, Cambridge
Referring to the rear of the University colleges whose grounds stretch down to the banks of the River Cam,
the Backs afford stunning views of Magdalene, St John’s, Clare, King’s, Queens’ and Trinity, amongst
others. Intrepid lovers can hire a punt, or simply stroll starry-eyed along the paths, pausing to watch
the boaters glide by.

The Roman Baths, Bath, Somerset
Set around Britain’s only natural hot spring, the Romans built a magnificent stone temple and bathing
complex that still flows with therapeutic hot waters. Baths were central to the Roman values
of companionship, entertainment, exercise, and cleanliness – ideals that are also key to successful
dating today.

Warwick Castle, Warwickshire
Although Warwick Castle’s history is long and varied, the beauty of the building, from the grandeur
of the State Rooms to the romantic Victorian Rose Garden make it an ideal destination for curing damsels
of their distress, being charmed by Princes, or simply taking in the magnificent location.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Yorkshire
Enjoy an amorous walk through the stunning grounds of this international centre for contemporary sculpture.
Take a break from admiring each other to soak-up the art, nature and exquisite architecture, sitting
sensitively within the romantic landscape.

------
Text: The Royal Institute of British Architects