31 Free Days Out for Couples (Perfect for Valentine's Day)
Looking for something special to do this Valentine's Day, but don't have the budget or inclination to splurge?
You're in luck.
There are loads of cheap or free days out for couples all over the UK.
From London to Glasgow, Birmingham to Belfast and everywhere in between, there's bound to be one near you.
Great dates don't need to be expensive. It's all about discovering new places and making memories. Something that doesn't need to cost a penny.
Want to skip ahead?
- London
- South-West England
- North-West England
- North-East England
- Central England
- Scotland
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
Psst - these are just our top picks!
To check out what's going on near you take a look at our Free Days Out page, covering over 190 locations across the UK.
Free days out for couples in London
Credit: Royal Parks
If you live in or close to the capital, you're in luck. There's a whole host of fab free days out right on your doorstep, lots of which double as lovely date ideas. Here's our pick of the best:
Have a picnic in Bushy Park, Richmond
While February might be a bit too cold for a proper sit-down picnic, you can still enjoy the tranquil scenes of Richmond's Bushy Park. Wrap up warm, grab a flask of coffee or hot chocolate and head off on a romantic stroll.
Famed for its fountains and roaming herds of deer (remember the 'Fenton' video that made the rounds a few years ago?), Bushy Park covers a whopping 1,099 acres and is one of London's eight Royal Parks. Vehicle gates close at dusk but pedestrian gates are open 24 hours, giving you even more reason to leave the car at home.
Step back in time at Kenwood House
Kenwood House is one of London's best-hidden gems. Marvel at the architecture, stunning artwork and beautiful gardens right on the edge of Hampstead Heath. Or do what I do, and imagine what it would be like to live there.
Check out one of the many FREE London museums:
While London prices for pretty much everything are eye-wateringly expensive, one thing it does well on the cheap is museums.
There'll be something that's interesting for every couple, so pick one that takes your fancy and enjoy a fun, free day out:
A museum detailing the intricacies of war over the past century doesn't scream romance, but it is certainly an interesting way to spend a few hours.
Psst - if you live closer to Manchester, check out the Imperial War Museum North.
Home to over seven million artefacts from across the globe, there's always something new to see and do at The British Museum.
If art's your thing, why not pay a visit to the National Gallery? And afterwards, you can enjoy the free entertainment that takes place in Trafalgar Square.
Home to some of the best modern and contemporary art in the world, Tate Modern is a great location for a date. The exhibitions are often interactive, so get involved and have a fun, free day out.
Get your geek on at the Science Museum! Science nerds (or anyone interested in the world around them) will love the interactive exhibitions and you'll leave feeling a little bit smarter than when you entered.
Free days out for couples in South-West England
Credit: Visit Bath
Wander around Royal Victoria Park, Bath
Just a short stroll from Bath's city centre is the beautiful Royal Victoria Park. This 57-acre parkland is home to botanic gardens and an adventure playground, making this a fun (but free!) date spot. Just don't forget to wrap up warm, it is February after all.
Check out M Shed, Bristol
M Shed, Bristol is a fun and interactive museum based right in the city's centre. It tells the story of the city from prehistoric times through to the present day and is a fun way to spend a few hours, without spending a penny.
Visit the donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary, Devon
This unassuming donkey sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon is the home of an international welfare charity helping millions of donkeys every year. It's also an excellent date location, with hundreds of adorable donkeys just waiting to meet you.
Sample the cider at Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm, Newquay
Right in the heart of the Cornish countryside you'll find Healeys, a working Cornish Cyder Farm that's been going for over 30 years. It makes for a date with a difference and so much more fun than a stuffy dinner.
Free days out for couples in North-West England
Credit: Visit Liverpool
Check out the latest exhibition at the Tate: Liverpool
Right on the iconic Albert Docks is Liverpool's very own Tate. It has a rolling collection of contemporary art housed within dock buildings themselves, giving you a beautiful view over the River Mersey.
While away a few hours at the Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool
Right around the corner and aptly located on the docks, Merseyside Maritime Museum tells the story of Liverpool's famous maritime history. Top tip, don't miss the permanent exhibition: Titanic and Liverpool: The Untold Story.
Step back in time at Castlefield Conservation Area, Manchester
South-west of Manchester city centre lies Castlefield, an area of outstanding conservation. Wrap up warm, grab a flask and head out for a romantic stroll.
Free days out for couples in North-East England
Credit: Durham Cathedral
Be in awe at Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral was one of the first buildings in the world to be given World Heritage status, along with the Taj Mahal and the Palace of Versailles. It's awe-inspiring architecture and status make it a lovely (and romantic) date spot.
Pay a visit to Ouseburn Farm, Newcastle
For a fun day out in Newcastle, head to Ouseburn Farm. It's a real working farm that's open to the public and free to enter. Pet, feed and learn about the grazing animals - the perfect date for animal lovers.
Take a stroll around Jesmond Dene Park, Newcastle
Jesmond Dene is the perfect setting for a romantic walk: it's filled with woodland, parkland, streams and even a waterfall, so there's plenty of wildlife on offer. Don't miss pets corner, a small petting zoo that's free to enter.
Free days out for couples in the Midlands, England
Credit: Visit Nottinghamshire
Marvel at Wollaton Hall, Gardens & Deer Park, Nottingham
Wollaton Hall, garden and deer park make for a fab, free date. Enjoy spectacular Elizabeth architecture set in a 500-acre plot of gardens and parkland - keep your eyes peeled for the deer!
Psst, Wollaton Hall is also a popular wedding venue...
Get learning at Coventry Transport Museum
This might not seem like the most romantic date in the world, but learning all about road transport is a lot more interesting than it sounds. The museum has the largest collection of road transport in the world with 300 bicycles, 120 motorcycles, 250 cars and commercial vehicles and over a million archived items.
Be all cultural at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham
Monet, Picasso, Manet, Turner, Rubens, Degas and Botticelli are just some of the major artists that have featured at the Barber Institue of Fine Arts. It's sometimes overlooked as an art gallery, making this a great location for a Valentine's Day date without the crowds of people.
Free days out for couples in Scotland
Credit: Glasgow Botanical Gardens
Scotland has loads of great, free day outs that are perfect for couples. Here's our selection of the best ones:
Get back to nature at Glasgow Botanical Gardens
Arguably the finest garden in Glasgow, the Botanic Gardens is a beautiful location for a romantic walk. Plus, you can warm up in the recently restored Kibble Palace Greenhouse.
Feel cultural at the Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow
Made up of four galleries, the Gallery of Modern Art houses some of the best contemporary art in the world. It's free to enter and makes a lovely, cultural date for any art lover.
Discover everything to know about Scotland at the National Museum in Edinburgh
Whether you're a Scottish native or just visiting, there'll be something to interest you at the National Museum of Scotland. Collections cover nature, art, design, fashion and science, all of which have helped to shape Scotland to be the country it is today.
Be inspired by the Writers Museum, Edinburgh
The Writers' Museum celebrates the lives and works of three of the most famous Scottish writers: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. The museum is set in a beautiful historic building making this a great date location for budding authors.
Have a magical time at The Potter Trail, Edinburgh
The perfect date for Potterheads! Embark on a tour that takes in all the sights that inspired the world-famous Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. Tours begin at 2pm...
Free days out for couples in Wales
Credit: Visit Wales
If you're celebrating Valentine's Day in Wales, there are lots of lovely free date spots for you and your other half to enjoy. Check out our faves!
Take a romantic stroll around Bute Park, Cardiff
Wrap up warm (it is February after all) and go on a walk around the 130-acre park set in the heart of Cardiff. It's one of the UK's most beautiful parks, making it a romantic date location that's easy on the purse strings.
Get artsy at the Museum of Modern Art - Machynlleth, Powys
Tucked away in the town of Machynlleth is one of Wales' best-hidden gems: the Museum of Modern Art. It's not the largest gallery in the world, but the snug atmosphere makes it even more perfect for a romantic date.
Pay a visit to St Fagans Museum of History, Cardiff
Make sure to wrap up warm for this one, as St Fagans is one of Europe's leading open-air museums. Explore history through people's everyday stories and admire the beautiful settings of St Fagans Castle and Gardens.
Free days out for couples in Northern Ireland
Credit: Visit Belfast
There are lots of great free days out for couples in Northen Ireland, perfect if you're trying to celebrate Valentine's on a budget.
Have a grand day out at Belfast Castle
Belfast Castle is one of the city's most famous landmarks, and wandering around this fairytale setting definitely constitutes a romantic date.
Get discovering at Ulster Museum, Belfast
There's so much to see and do at Ulster Museum, you might need to make this a two-day date. It's a treasure trove of the past and present, so be prepare yourself for a range of artefacts from across the centuries.
Go for a walk around Stricklands Glen, Bangor West
This enchanting wooded glen makes a perfect setting for a romantic stroll. Don't forget your wellies/walking boots!