20 cheap Valentine's Day ideas for dates that won't break the bank

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From stargazing to ghost walks, we
From stargazing to ghost walks, we've got you covered (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

We asked our cost-cutting Cupids to find a selection of bargain date ideas across the UK and they found everything from swimming by moonlight to funfairs and indoor golf. Just check the date and time, and book when needed to avoid disappointment.

Leeds

The Valentine’s Fair, based in Millennium Square, Victoria Gardens and Cookridge Street from February 9 to February 18, is sure to win hearts. Wander around between noon and 9.30pm (10pm on Friday and Saturday), with 70 rides and attractions. Vouchers can be found at leedsvalentinesfair.co.uk and discounts will be available for Leeds Card and Breeze Pass holders.

Cost: Free. Rides £2-£5pp.

Nationwide

If fitness puts you in a romantic mood, you can snap up the Freedom Leisure Valentine’s Day offer of a free day pass for two, so you can swim and use the gym together at one of the charitable trust’s many sites – but you need to book.

Cost: Free. freedom-leisure.co.uk/valentines-day-offer

Strictly's Molly Rainford and Tyler West fuel romance rumours while on tour eiqrrixiddxinvStrictly's Molly Rainford and Tyler West fuel romance rumours while on tour
20 cheap Valentine's Day ideas for dates that won't break the bankCocktails at All Bar One (© Kat Volkova Studio, All Rights Reserved)

Gloucestershire

What could be more romantic than a moonlight dip in the beautiful Court Farm Lakes in Lydney, a celebrated wild swimming venue? The special Valentine’s swim between 5pm and 7pm will raise funds for the British Heart Foundation. Dive in quick, as places are limited and you have to book.

Cost: £7.50 each (£5 to BHF). bookwhen.com/special-events40

Manchester

Lovebirds can enjoy a “2-4-1” cocktail at the trendy Manahatta bar in Manchester’s buzzing Deansgate on Valentine’s night. Your heart’s bound to be shaken by concoctions like Easy Lover and Queen of Hearts, with cocktails costing from £11.95 for two of the same type between Sunday and Friday.

Cost: From £11.95 (for two cocktails). manahatta.co.uk

Nationwide

Romantics can enjoy a Valentine’s Day tipple in All Bar One branches nationwide which – with the exception of Scotland, Newcastle and airport bars – are offering classic cocktails.

Cost: £12 for two. Booking advisable. allbarone.co.uk

20 cheap Valentine's Day ideas for dates that won't break the bankTake in the sights - like Lincoln's cathedral (Getty Images)

Lincoln

How about a date with a few ghosts? The original Lincoln Ghost Walk is on Valentine’s Day this year. Just turn up at the Tourist Information Centre in Castle Square 10 minutes before the 7pm start.

Cost: £15 for two tickets. lincolnghostwalks.co.uk

Devon

Get cosy listening to the ocean under a picnic rug, tucking into a feast from the Atlantic Bay Fish & Chips shop in Westward Ho! (the only place in the UK with an exclamation mark in its name).

Cost: £18.50 for fish and chips for two. atlanticbayfishandchips.com

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Nationwide

If your idea of heaven is tucking into a burger and fries as you snuggle on the sofa watching a romantic movie, order in from Burger King via Deliveroo.

Cost: £12.99 for two Gourmet King Meals. burgerking.co.uk

20 cheap Valentine's Day ideas for dates that won't break the bankValentine's Fair in Leeds

Nottingham

If you’re after some mood music for your date, try a free lunchtime concert on Valentine’s Day at the University Hall on Shakespeare Street. It will be something of a blind date – as it could be anything from classical to folk or jazz – but the student musicians are very talented. The 30-minute lunchtime concerts start at 1pm (doors open at 12.45pm), so just turn up.

Cost: Free. visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk

Bolton

Valentine’s Day is ­traditionally about love between two partners but this event is all about encouraging people to love themselves. The Wellbeing Farm in picturesque Edgworth, near Bolton, is hosting Love Fest, a day of self-love and self-care with reiki, meditation, dance, live music and energy healing. The event runs from 10.30am-4pm on Sunday, February 11.

Cost: £2.75pp. thewellbeingfarm.co.uk

Newcastle

They call it puppy love – and dog lovers can take their precious pooches along with them. The Pup Up Café is taking over Revolution on Sunday, February 12 for a day of dog-friendly mingling, with plenty of puppuccinos and other treats for the doggos. It’s the perfect way to show your four-legged friend how much you love them! Dogless humans can still attend and get to meet plenty of amazing pups.

Cost: £9.50 for dog owners, £15 without a dog. pupup.cafe/tickets/

20 cheap Valentine's Day ideas for dates that won't break the bankCosy up at the cinema (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Sheffield

Lovers can re-create their first cinema date at Kommune, which will be screening Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind at 7pm on February 14. First come, first served for the comfy sofa spots and you can order food and drinks to your seat. What’s not to love?

Cost: £3. eventbrite.co.uk

Birkenhead

Join Badass Craft Club at Waterstones to create adorable felted hearts to give to your loved one. You will be supplied with coloured unspun merino wool and all the other equipment needed to make these adorable tokens. From 11am-1pm, Sunday, February 11.

Cost: £10pp plus booking fee. skiddle.com/whats-on/Birkenhead

Yorkshire Dales

What can be more romantic than stargazing together under a moonlit sky? The Yorkshire Dales National Park is a place where you can find the most wondrous star-filled skies, free from light pollution. And the 1.5km planet and constellation trail at Aysgarth includes a romantic waterfall. It is open 24 hours a day in the woodland from February 9 to 25 as part of the Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Festival.

Cost: Free. yorkshiredales.org.uk

20 cheap Valentine's Day ideas for dates that won't break the bankPortmeirion village in Wales (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Portmeirion

Wander around the glorious Italianate streets of this coastal village in Gwynedd between 9.30am and 5pm for a super-romantic Valentine’s Day date. You’ll be utterly enchanted by this extraordinary village, which provided the backdrop for 1960s spy drama The Prisoner.

Cost: £10pp. portmeirion.wales

Wales

Hopefully, your love won’t be star-crossed – but you might fancy enjoying some stargazing on Valentine’s night. For pollution-free destination details, check out the Visit Wales website. It’s free but you might want to warm your hearts by taking along a flask of mulled wine!

Cost: Free. visitwales.com/inspire-me

Cardiff

The Aquabus could be your love boat on February 14. The water taxi, leaving from the Castle Grounds on the hour between 10am and 5pm, takes 25 minutes to reach Mermaid Quay, or you can enjoy an hour-long scenic cruise as a round trip.

Cost: £7pp. aquabus.co.uk

20 cheap Valentine's Day ideas for dates that won't break the bankTreats at the Hidden Lane Tearoom

Glasgow

Get in the swing of romance with a trip to 9-hole indoor golf course Glasvegas. With time slots from 10am until late, it promises “a little bit of crazy” and should be a date to remember.

Cost: £9.50pp. oneunder.co.uk/glasgow/mini-golf

Edinburgh

A hilarious line-up of comedians takes a look at the funnier side of love-making in a Valentine’s night two-hour special in the city’s oldest cocktail bar, Dragonfly, starting at 8pm. Booking is advisable.

Cost: £10pp. dragonflycocktailbar.com

Glasgow

Pay homage at the ­Catholic Church of Blessed St John Scotus in the Gorbals district, where the bones of St Valentine’s forearm are said to be kept in a chest. Follow this up with a cream tea for two at ­Glasgow’s Hidden Lane Tearoom.

Cost: £12 for 2. hiddenlanetearoom.com

Amanda Killelea

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