You’ve secured your date and are now deciding on a location. But what if your budget won’t stretch to an expensive dinner and drinks?
Dating on a small budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise. The best dates don’t need to be over elaborate and expensive. It’s all about spending quality time together, which is just as possible on a stroll around a park as at a pricey dinner out.
To help you out, Alex from Magic Freebies UK has come up with a list of the top free date spots across the UK. From city farms and donkey sanctuaries, to factory tours and castles you’ll be spoilt for choice for a date that won’t cost you a penny.
The Best Romantic Walks
Grab a flask of coffee, wrap up warm and head out on a walk. It’s a great opportunity to get to know one another without any distractions, and to enjoy some beautiful scenery.
Bushy Park, London
All of London’s eight Royal Parks offer gorgeous greenery and views, but Bushy Park is particularly lovely due to the roaming herds of deer you’ll often spot grazing.
Royal Victoria Park, Bath
Royal Victoria Park offers more than just your average park. There’s green parkland, botanical gardens and an aerial walkway with magnificent views, making this a lovely spot for a romantic stroll.
Photo by Felipe Santana on Unsplash
Bute Park, Cardiff
Spread over 130 acres of landscaped gardens and parkland, Bute Park is home to an arboretum, the River Taff and more green space than you can shake a stick at.
Strickland’s Glen, Bangor County Down
This tree-lined, enchanting walk makes for a perfect date. Pass through a wooded glen of waterfalls and streams until you reach a beautiful cove at the end. Simple and romantic.
The Winter Garden, Sheffield
Sheffield is home to The Winter Garden, one of the UK’s largest indoor greenhouses. It houses over 2,500 plants from across the globe and would make a lovely date location for any nature enthusiast.
The Best Free Museums
Museums are a great location for a date, as you’ll naturally be provided with topics of conversation to discuss. Choose a museum on a subject you’re both interested in and get ready for a fun-filled day of discovery.
The Science Museum, London
You’ll forget all about first date nerves with all the interactive exhibitions to get involved with at the Science Museum in London.
Imperial War Museum, London and Manchester
A museum that details the intricacies of war might not sound like the most romantic date in the world, but it will certainly be an interesting one that gives you a lot of topics of conversation.
Photo by Deanna J on Unsplash
Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool
Similarly, the Maritime Museum in Liverpool offers so much to read, see and do, making it a perfect spot for an early doors date.
Writer’s Museum, Edinburgh
This is a great choice of date for any budding writer or reader, with lots of unique manuscripts, books and collections from famous Scottish authors to get stuck into.
St Fagans Museum of History, Cardiff
With this museum, you get the added bonus of beautiful scenery – St Fagans is one of Europe’s leading open-air museums and is surrounded by a stunning castle and gardens.
The Best Free Historic Buildings
The UK is home to some of the most beautiful historic buildings in the world that make really special locations for a date. While many do charge an entrance fee, you can head to these ones and keep your wallet in your pocket.
Kenwood House, London
Kenwood House is one of London’s best kept secrets. Discover world-famous art collections in a 17th Century building that’s steeped in British history, right on the corner of Hampstead Heath.
Wollaton Hall, Gardens & Deer Park, Nottingham
Wollaton Hall is a spectacular Elizabethan mansion set in a 500-acre plot. There’s so much to see, including grazing deer, a natural history museum and guided tours of the house.
Belfast Castle
Not only is Belfast Castle architecturally stunning, it’s surrounded by Cave Hill Country Park offering breath-taking views and an adventure playground. This makes for a fun, low-cost date option in reach of the city centre.
Unusual Free Date Spots
If you’re looking to impress your date with something a bit more exciting than dinner and drinks, why not suggest one of these spots? It’s sure to be a date neither of you will forget.
The Donkey Sanctuary (locations across UK)
Spending the afternoon with loveable donkeys – what could be better? Head to one of The Donkey Sanctuary’s UK sites to meet the rehoused donkeys, hear about their stories and enjoy a fun, free date perfect for animal lovers.
City Farms (locations across UK)
Get a slice of the country in the city at one of the UK’s many city farms. Pet and feed the animals, walk through the gardens and enjoy rural living in the city. The ideal date for two urban dwellers!
Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm, Newquay
Healeys is a working cyder farm based just 20 minutes from Newquay and makes a great location for a date with a difference. Sample the cyders and see how it’s made – much more fun than a stuffy dinner.
The Potter Trail, Edinburgh
Discover how the city of Edinburgh helped shape one of the most well-known book series in the world – it’s the perfect date for any Potter head.
Biddenden Vineyard, Kent
Take your date on a wander through this family-run vineyard, not forgetting to sample some of the award-winning wine. Wine and a walk, what could be better?
Dating on a budget might seem like a contradiction in terms, but there’s no need to compromise on romance with these top free date spots across the UK.
1 comment
Wow this is so great! Loads of amazing ideas I can’t wait to try out!