Best places to go on Valentine’s Day

Struggling for last minute Valentine’s plans? All the restaurants fully booked? Don’t worry, we’ve got some great cheap ideas that will impress that lucky guy or gal in your life.


The Downs

A weather dependant option! Grab your Boots meal deal or take-away from Hu-Stu and go have a chilly picnic on the Downs. Fingers crossed the sun is shining.

Get down on the Downs.

Walk Around the Lake

Take advantage of our beautiful campus! Be warned, if you go for a walk near any body of water this Valentines be sure to pack your emergency deep-sea diver suit, less an errant hurricane-gust sends you plummeting to your watery grave, and your lover to therapy till the end of their water-fearing days.

Make sure your date is wearing appropriate shoes.

An evil third wheel?

Nottingham Castle

Okay, so the castle may be legitimately romantic on a clear night overlooking the sparkly vista of Nottingham far below, just you and your love facing the world and it’s infinite beauty.

Make sure you don’t get blown away in the gale force winds!

Maybe Robin Hood can shoot the arrow of love?

Homemade

A great little café in Hockley that’s perfect for a casual first Tinder date or for a couple who feel they have to spend time together on the 14th Feb.

It’s bound to be busy on V-day so be prepared to wait for a table, but it’s worth it. Check out our full review here.

The Tab loves a date with cake.

Nottingham Train Station

There’s a poetic quality to train-stations.  They’re a place where people break apart and come together again, a place of adventure, a place of reconciliation.

You can woo your valentine with your  in-depth trivia knowledge of the St. Pancras to Nottingham line.  Or pop off to relight the fire of your long-distance relationship.

Long distance relationship problems

Hallward Cafe

What better way to bond with the lovely lass or chap you’ve been eyeing up over the computer monitors than with the congealed mass stench of desperation, fear and chicken fajita paninis in the air.

Bliss. Plus coffee is well cheap.

No filter makes this any less awkward. Or romantic.

Savoy Cinema

If  you fancy sitting in silence for 2 hours next to the one you love or maybe fancy a bit, then the Savoy not only offers convenience if you live in Lenton but it’s also really cheap.

2 tickets to see romance played out properly on the big screen and a box of popcorn won’t set you back too far. And if you’re lucky, snag one of those love seats for added intimacy.

The bright lights of love

Toast

At the top of Derby road, there’s a deli that is just perfect for a date. There’s a toaster on your table and all kinds of delicious bread so you and your date can bond over toppings.

The Tab liked it so you can’t go wrong, check it out here.

Butter up your other half.

Wollaton  Park

Dazzle your date with knowledge of Wollaton Park. It’s where the Willoughby family lived, the film location of Wayne Manor in Batman, blah blah blah.

If the rain holds off you can spot deer in the park or if it is pissing down (as it probably will be) take shelter in Wollaton Hall and check out the creepy taxidermy.

Trent Café

Definitely the improved version of Hallward café. It’s got fancier paninis and even has smoked salmon bagels.

Whilst there are still people frantically typing and skim reading Oscar Wilde, it has comfy sofas and big windows. It’s almost romantic. Maybe.

Tab advice: No candid shots of your lover. They don’t like it.

 Nottingham Contemporary

Struggling for conversation with your Valentine? Where better than a strange art exhibition to get the flanter flowing?

The current exhibition of artist Marvin Gaye Chetwynd doesn’t look like it has the sexual healing of the actual Marvin Gaye but it will still get you talking. Plus it’s free.

Get off the 34 at the Lace Market to find Nottingham Contemporary